BMW 3 Series Accelerator cable replacement
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BMW 3 Series Accelerator cable replacement
BMW 3 Series accelerator cable replacement
Most modern BMW 3 Series’s now use drive-by-wire technology instead of mechanical systems. This includes the accelerator cable, with vehicles now utilising electronic throttle controls to replace mechanical linkages. However, the accelerator cable is not completely dead just yet, and there are still plenty of BMW 3 Series’s on the road with this venerable mechanical component.
The accelerator cable is a braided, flexible, metal cable that can get damaged or fail over time. If it does fail, you may notice a change in acceleration and there may be a delay when you push the accelerator pedal down on your BMW 3 Series. If the cable breaks for any reason you won’t be able to accelerate at all.
An accelerator cable is a fairly simple device. A cable runs from the accelerator pedal to a spring-loaded linkage on the throttle body. When a driver pushes the accelerator pedal down, the cable moves the linkage on the throttle body. This opens the valve on the throttle body to allow more air to flow into the BMW 3 Series’s engine. The position of the foot on the accelerator pedal determines the airflow and the amount of fuel going through the injectors to provide the optimal air/fuel mixture for engine combustion.
Ensuring you can accelerate when required is actually a pretty important safety issue - you may need to move quickly to avoid an accident - and if the accelerator cable on your BMW 3 Series breaks, you could find yourself in trouble. If it does break, at the very least you’ll find yourself stuck at the side of the road summoning a tow truck.
