How to Adjust a Throttle Cable

The throttle cable adjusts the throttle that supplies fuel to a combustion engine. If the throttle cable is too loose or too tight, it can negatively affect engine idle speed. If the cable is too loose, it can cause lower than normal engine speed; too tight, and your RPMs will run too high.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Open-ended wrench that fits your make and model
• Engine service manual

1. Locate the throttle body. This is normally a large rectangular "box" that sits near the firewall (in automobiles), next to the engine or on top of it (in small engine applications).

2. Check the tension of the cable coming out of the throttle body. You may need to refer to your service manual for the tension specs.

3. Turn the throttle adjustment bolts clockwise to tighten or counterclockwise to loosen tension on the throttle cable. As you do this, you are opening or closing the throttle (depending on which way you turn the adjustment bolts). This in turn controls the idle speed by allowing more or less fuel into the engine at idle.

Tips & Warnings

• Adjust the tension to the proper specification. If the throttle is too tight, for example, you will burn more fuel than necessary. if it is too loose, you risk stalling the engine.

References

• General Automotive Repair Manuals

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