adjusting throttle cable - what is the proper procedure?

[Cobra Jet]

Has anyone had to adjust their throttle cable and if so, what is the proper procedure for readjusting it back to factory spec?

Should the cable be tight (have tension on it - and how much tension), loose (how loose), etc?

[colin86325]

That is a good question.  Maybe the E36 manuals deal with this.
I'd guess that you'd want only enough slack as to ensure a proper idle.  Excessive slack is wasteful.


I converted my E30 M3 to use a TPS (similar to the unit the 318iS uses) and used aftermarket software on laptop computer to display the throttle position. The idea was to set idle at anything below 12% deflection and have set a maximum WOT defection of 96%.  My throttle stop screw was preventing me from achieving above 93%, so I had to adjust it to allow more travel.

[Cobra Jet]

Can anyone post up a pic of their throttle cable at the point where it's connected to the bracket on the throttle body?

I'm curious to see how the threads are for the throttle cable & also the amount of "slack" in these cables...

Any help is appreciated.

Also, if anyone can post up the section of the Bentley (or other manual) as to how to properly adjust (most likely found in the section on how to replace) the throttle cable that would be helpful as well...

thx!

[applecran]

I'm also interested in this.  ine seems to have extra slack.  How do you adjust this?  How much slack is normal?

[bmwpower]

Can anyone post up a pic of their throttle cable at the point where it's connected to the bracket on the throttle body?

I'm curious to see how the threads are for the throttle cable & also the amount of "slack" in these cables...

Any help is appreciated.

Also, if anyone can post up the section of the Bentley (or other manual) as to how to properly adjust (most likely found in the section on how to replace) the throttle cable that would be helpful as well...

thx!

It's going to depend on how old/used/stretched the cable is.  Not only do you have adjustments at the TB end, but you have bushing that wear at the pedal end.

[applecran]

Ok, so the cable is original.  Hard to tell how stretched it is as I have no reference.  So where does one start?

[Screaming M42]

mine decided to break..

are the throttle cables universal? i was going to the junkyard here in a little bit to see if i can retro-fit a 318i cable.

[Cobra Jet]

anyone? back ttt

[tjts1]

http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5675

[Cobra Jet]

tjts1 - your thread is interesting (I've seen it before), but what I am seeking is how the actual throttle cable threaded end should look at the throttle body...

Does anyone have pics of that area to see how the cable is threaded (is there more of the black plastic threaded section going through that plastic nut, less, half way, backed out all the way, etc)?

Also, how much tension should there be on the section of visible cable after the threaded section (space between threaded nut and throttle body lever)?

On my cable at that area, there is also a silver metal clip (or some type of spring/tension clip)  - does everyone else have this part on their cable?  I can't seem to understand the purpose of the clip, as it's just after the threaded section (going towards driver fender) and it just seems to be on the cable sheathing, not really doing anything... ?

[adam12hicks]

It's super simple.  I replaced mine recently for around $35 and that was at a stealership.  There is a connection that screws through the hole in the throttle body arm which you can actually screw in or out to remove or add slack.  It's just a simple process of screwing in the plastic plug into the nut on the other side.  You actually unscrew it to pull the cable back tight and you can actually unscrew it enough that it slightly opens the throttle without any pedal pressure, so just find your happy place

Replacing the cable is super easy, so if yours is cracked or problematic just stick a new one on it.