OEM 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 Throttle Cable

2003 Dodge Ram 2500 Throttle Cable Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Service and Repair a Throttle Cable for a 5.9L V-8 Diesel Engine on 2003 Dodge Ram 2500?

  A: Before servicing or repairing the throttle cable and linkage on a 5.9L V-8 diesel, make sure to disconnect the negative battery cables from both batteries. To service the early diesel engine accelerator pedal, press the hold-up button inside the car, pull the plastic cover and remove the cable core wire while it's still on the upper end of the pedal arm. After that, take the cable clip and core off the pedal arm and remove the cable housing from the dash, pulling the cable through to the engine compartment. Take out the 2 screws and release both plastic clips and push tabs from the cable cover to take it off. Gently use two screwdrivers to separate the throttle lever ball from the cable connector using an up and down motion, always avoiding damage to the throttle lever arm. The late diesel engine uses a new design: The throttle cable links the accelerator pedal to the Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor (APPS) directly, without a second cable to the throttle body. Once more, take out the negative battery cables, press the accelerator up and unhook the plastic retainer and center wire from the end of the accelerator pedal arm. Pull the cable core wire from the pedal arm, then pull the APPS out. After removing the clip inside the cabin, pull on the cable housing and let it enter the area under the hood. Push down on the release tab on the housing while holding a small screwdriver in order to avoid damaging it. Put the cable through the hole in the crossover bracket for the early diesel engine and verify that the two pinch tabs are tight. Tie the cable end to the throttle lever ball with large pliers, then place the last housing end inside the opening in the dashboard panel. With the pedal depressed inside, feed the end of the accelerator cable and retainer through the upper end of the pedal arm, making sure the index pointer lines up with the one on the arm too. Reconnect the cables marked negative, engage the accelerator pedal and watch for any signs of binding before setting the engine into operation. The last step is to fit the cover with cable/lever. For the late diesel engine, join the cable to the APPS, slip the cable housing into the rubber grommet and through the dash panel cutout and insert a clip securing the cable to the inside of the dash panel. Put the throttle cable into the top of the pedal arm and slide the retainer into the bottom until you hear it snap. Always check for binding before you turn on the engine and if the problem is a fault code, use the DRB III Scan Tool to erase the APPS DTC's from the PCM.