Significant Throttle Sticking

[Okie]

About 4 months ago, I noticed that my throttle was stuck closed when I got on it to go to work one morning. It sat for a few days. After significant force, I unstuck it and went on my way, though noticing that it returned very slowly.

Fast Forward to today - The problem still lives. The cables have been lubed to the point of it dripping out the throttle body side. The throttle hand-grip tube to handlebar interface has been cleaned and dry lube applied. Minimal difference. I sprayed dry lube all around the horizontal throttle vane control assembly where the throttle return springs sit and it made no difference.

As long as I wrestle it back and forth a dozen times before starting, it's tolerable but I sure would like to fix this.

Anyone else experienced this or have a fix? It's a 2004 BTW.

 

[El Toro]

Have you added risers or anything else that might have changed your routing or your slack? It would be worse if they were sticking open... but the fact that they're sticking is a reason to get it checked out by someone who would have responsibility if they didn't get it right, i.e., a Yamaha dealership.

 

[Okie]

Have you added risers or anything else that might have changed your routing or your slack? It would be worse if they were sticking open... but the fact that they're sticking is a reason to get it checked out by someone who would have responsibility if they didn't get it right, i.e., a Yamaha dealership.

I've got Heli risers but I added those 4 years ago.

 

[v65]

Does it feel like it's sticking opening and closing, or just one way?

 

[HaulinAshe]

That's a really BAD symptom to have.

You should be able to disassemble the throttle tube assembly, pull on one cable to open the throttle at least half way, then release and repeat. By leaving the other cable slack you can at least determine if it's the return cable restricting the control.

I would check every inch of the cables looking for a pinch. You could have a frayed cable that's defective inside the housing somewhere, although it's not likely. Most of the time, throttle cables fray near one end or the other of the housing.

While you have the tank up, try rotating the throttle body by hand.

Disconnect the cables from the throttle tube assembly and replace it. Test it the same way. It's really a matter of isolating each section of the throttle system to find out where the bind is occurring.

But if in doubt, I'd start with new throttle cables. Don't risk riding the bike until you have it fixed for sure.

 

[radman]

Easy attempt to fix-spray all the throttle body linkage (spring area) with brake clean-a good dosing, while working the throttle back and forth. The shafts get funky after a while, fuel vapor leaching out through the shaft openings on the TB's creates a varnish not unlike what one would find in carbs that have sat for years with old gas in them. I also periodically carefully, using the wand, spray brake clean into the individual runners in the airbox while the bike is running, to clean the throttle blades and TB bores. I say carefully because if that wand cuts loose and gets into the runner, you will be learning the intricacies of the FJR air intake system firsthand, and we will expect a report.

This is the stuff to use-it is safe for just about every component on the bike that needs solvent cleaning, and it's all I use. 3M part # 08880.

 

[DailyCommuter]

a cable could have come off of the cam assembly in the handlebar throttle housing. off of the throttle tube cam ...is it an AE model,the heated grip wire loop inside the housing at the handlebar may be the culprit. I had mine apart to do the G2 and the heated grip wire is looped inside the cam housing with a hold down cover over it. its a bugger to do right if you dont pay attention to it when you dis assemble it.

 

[Okie]

Does it feel like it's sticking opening and closing, or just one way?

It's sticking in both directions. If it sits for a few days, it's REALLY stuck and takes triple the normal force. It's as if somebody "lubed" the throttle cables with tar.

That's a really BAD symptom to have.

You can say that again. You don't realize how much you depend on the throttle "snap-back" until it stops snapping back and kind of "oozes" back instead.

It's really a matter of isolating each section of the throttle system to find out where the bind is occurring.

I thought about that too. I left the bike alone for a couple days and then came back to it this morning. Without turning the throttle, I disconnected the cables at the handlebars. The throttle tube on the handlebar spun freely and I could pull the cable through the sheath easily as the cable is been drenched with oil. I'm 75% confident that its at the throttle body assembly but it's one of those deals where you've got to "go through your a** to get to your elbow" to really see what's causing the problem.
Not an AE model. Mines from "back in the day" when EZ-Board ruled the FJR world.

This is the stuff to use-it is safe for just about every component on the bike that needs solvent cleaning, and it's all I use. 3M part # 08880.

I will try some. I've been dowsing it with this stuff and haven't been impressed:

Good stuff folks (your thoughts ... not the Liquid Wrench stuff). Thank you.

 

[spalkin]

I'm starting to feel the same thing on mine. ('03 29k). The cables, both accel and return run and run. I wouldn't look for them to be stuck.

Sounds like build-up of crap at the butterflies. I know I need to get in there and clean.

 

[madmike2]

This is the stuff to use-it is safe for just about every component on the bike that needs solvent cleaning, and it's all I use. 3M part # 08880.

I will try some. I've been dowsing it with this stuff and haven't been impressed:

Good stuff folks (your thoughts ... not the Liquid Wrench stuff). Thank you.

Radman is suggesting using a solvent that will clean the tar/varnish off shafts of the throttle bodies. You've been using a lubricant that cannot solve the problem.

 

[Okie]

AN UPDATE:

Taking "Radman's" advise, I emptied a quarter can of brake-cleaner all over the throttle body assembly while actuating the throttle back and forth. It worked very well. I also bought some Chevron Techron cleaner and put it in a nearly empty tank and drove around for a short bit. It also added to the fix. I'd say I'm 90% good. I have no doubt the sticking was gummed up throttle body assemblies.

Thanks all.

Aaron