Accelerator stuck on full throttle

Technical Area Engine, Transmission, Exhaust etc
1
  1. My model of MX-5 is: Mk3 2.0 Sport.

Just had a rather peturbing incident on the way home today :-
I shifted down and floored the accelerator to pass a slowish line of traffic as the road opened out to two lanes . . . and the accelerator stuck wide open. Not ideal !

I managed to change up to 6th to slow things down using brakes as well and freed the pedal with a few flicks of my foot, so was OK for the bend which was fast approaching. The pedal was fine for the rest of the journey.

There was a lot happening at the time so not absolutely 100%, but pretty certain it was the pedal mechanically down rather than something engine side. I’m back home and found that the corner of the trim panel behind the accelerator pedal is folded inwards. I think this somehow trapped the pedal.
Although I can’t recreate it manually (engine off, of course :slight_smile: I can get the pedal to catch on the trim and impede the return slightly.

The return spring feels fine, and I’ve tried presssing to the floor with pressure from different angles to see if there’s a catch internally somewhere, but return is always good.

The trim panel is now firmly back in place and I’m really hoping this was a one-off incident.
Is there anything else I should be checking here?
Am I right in assuming the accelerator sender is fail-safe in the case of a wire disconnection (although I’m pretty sure it was the pedal return itself)?

2

I had this happen a couple of times on my NC. It was the additional rubber floor mat that I had fitted, which was sliding forwards (probably when I was getting in the car) and then just trapping the pedal when I had pushed it to the floor. I daren’t put it in gear as I was fairly close to the car in front in slow traffic. I had to let the engine bounce off the rev limiter with the clutch depressed until I could pull over and safely turn the engine off. Not a pleasant experience but no harm done. After the second time it happened I changed the floor mat I had fitted!

3

Another vote for carpet here. I had the same thing twice; it feels unbelievable but was certainly what happened to me!

4

+1 for the mat taking over throttle control. Not the best experience. I believe Mazda had enough incidents on the early NC1 to supply new mats with a clip bracket to stop it slipping.

5

I once got in the car with it idling and slipped putting my leg full pressure all the way down on the accelerator and got stuck for a few seconds…god I thought I’d broken the engine talk about noise and smoke…its nothing like when you sit there thinking your revving your engine high…It’s scary

6

Plus 1.

7

Yep, the mat thing happened to me once as well - odd feeling !

8

I once had the throttle return spring break on a Fiat 128 3P. It was quite a peppy motor with an overhead cam and twin choke Weber, so over-revved before I could switch it off.
Bent valves…

9

I had a frayed throttle cable on my 1966 MGB in the 1970’s. I was about to turn off the M1 at Dunstable and the car did not slow when I lifted my foot off the accelerator. Fortunately it did not have a steering lock so I was able to drive it home using the ignition switch. The fun of driving old British sports cars!

10

Same problem for me but caused by “loose” footwell mat cathing throttle pedal. Removed mat, no longer a problem!

11

I think every vehicle I’ve had or driven with such a steering lock, needed you to actually remove the key before the lock was actuated

12

Thanks for posting and sharing your experience back in 2020, it came as a reassurance to me.

Yes it’s still happenig today. 15/2/2026

The road opened up to two lanes, after a mile or so of slow moving traffic, which seemed content to keep lumbering on. So I decided to open up all 2000cc to relieve the boredom. You know the feeling, the road was clear and safe so I let it go. I got that Mazda feeling, flying with the top down.

I’d passed the line of traffic, pulled back into the nearside lane and eased off the accelerator. I just got quicker and quicker the throttle stuck wide open, I was no longer in control, the car had a will of it’s own pulling me on.

I dipped the clutch to slow forward movement the engine screaming full power. It was all happening at once, the noise stopping any rational thought. I kicked down on the accelerator pedal 7 or 8 times I remember engaging the clutch again to stop the engine noise. I depressed the clutch on ond off to slow the car. I kept kicking down on the accelerator pedal hoping to dislodge the cable in some way.

And then it was gone, all began to respond normally. The whole episode lasting 90 seconds or so.

There was for some miles after the smell of a burning clutch.

I not sure, but I’m fairly certain now that it was the carpet bunching up around pedal. I pressed it fully down to overtake, in doing so I pushed it over the wrinkled carpet and it could not return.

There is a flimsy plastic clip that has snapped under the drivers seat to the carpet. I have now put a pair of tough cable ties in place.
It was a scary, disconcerting event that that could have ended up much worse. Let alone possible clutch damage.

Well worth belt and braces with cable ties, pennies for piece of mind.

Anyway I read this stream and I’m reassured. Thanks to lads for all your input.
Terry Taylor

2 Likes
13

I bet the cars you had just overtaken loved watching your plight :rofl:

Not a nice experience though.