Stiff accelerator pedal fix

I just found a simple 10-minute fix for the overly stiff accelerator pedal in my 2020 Tacoma that I figured I'd share in case anyone else here on the forum would find it useful.

There are two 10 mm nuts holding the pedal to the firewall, and a simple wire connector. I first removed the two nuts, then the the electrical connector. There are four little clips holding the cover on the pedal assembly, carefully pry all four and the cover pops right off. There are two concentric springs that pop out easily. I just removed the inner spring and then put the big spring back, popped cover on, and that was it.

It is much better now in my opinion. Judging by the design of the two springs, it sure seems like Toyota added the inner spring to add tension. Perhaps it's for safety after that "unintended" acceleration issue they had a decade or so ago. Whatever the reason for the extra spring, I'm really happy with this little fix. Nice thing is that the fix doesn't touch the electrical working of the pedal, and that is was as easy as just removing one of the springs and didn't require substituting a weaker spring for the original.

 

Well done. I’ve pondered a similar fix but haven’t gotten around to it. The 3rd gen Tacoma has the stiffest accelerator pedal on any vehicle I’ve ever been in. I’ve disassembled similar DBW accelerator pedals from Subarus before (also made by Denso) and they all have had the two springs in them. Likely as a failsafe.

 

I've had some rental cars that felt like there was a loaf of bread under the gas pedal

 

Yes, you're probably right, the second spring is probably an extra failsafe. I guess the best fix would be to get two softer springs with the same dimensions instead of just removing the inner spring.

 

I had a 1984 VW Rabbit GTI and had changed out the intake manifold and throttle body. The TB spring was Very light which was great for how I drove the car, foot-to-the-floor as I autox'd it.
To things that were annoying. One was when driving on rough roads keeping the revs steady and the second was when a friend would drive the car, they couldn't get the hang of the light pedal over revving, slipping the clutch, stalling, etc.

 

Glad you like it better. I've been driving it for about a week now and couldn't imagine going back to the original set up.

 

I'm going to try this. Thanks for the tip O.P. !

 

So I did remove that inner spring of the accelerator pedal assembly. The accelerator pedal feels much more lighter and easier to depress (a good thing, compared to the stiffness before). That larger outer spring is beefy, and is more than enough to return the pedal back to the raised position. I don't see that spring ever failing.

My accelerator pedal is operating normally.

Now for the million dollar question: When I was carefully opening up the pedal assembly, this fell out. It is a small piece of rubber, cylindrical in design. Approximately 5/8" in length. Where does it go in the pedal assembly? I didn't see any spot or position within the assembly housing for it.

 

Wow, I had a 1983 GTI (I'm pretty sure, not 100% on year)! I loved that thing, factory with Recaro seats, VDO gauges, etc. I wish I never sold it, but an autocross guy bought it.

Wranglers are this way too, and it's believed firm tension was for off-roading, makes sense so your foot isn't bouncing off the cash-pedal.

 

I didn't see that little rubber piece, but I did see a different rubber piece that was between the two springs acting as a sort of dampener or something.

 

It's cool. I'm going to remove it and open it back up again tomorrow, in an effort to discern where that rubber thingy goes. Maybe it's just a cushioned stop somewhere inside the housing, for the accelerator pedal. If I figure it out I'll take a pic and post it here, lest it occurs for someone else.

It's a great mod though. I really disliked the stiff accelerator pedal. It's so much better now.

 

So I found out where the little cylindrical rubber thingy goes, in the accelerator pedal assembly. There's a small grove in the cover (see arrow) that it fits in perfectly. Not sure why it is needed there, but it has been reinstalled.



This is probably the only picture of the internals for the accelerator pedal on the Internet. I scoured the Internet yesterday looking, but no dice. Toyota claims that this is an unserviceable part regarding the internals, so probably why no pic's exist. Until now.

 

Good you took some pics for others to see. Maybe that little rubber thing is to prevent the clamshell from vibrating and making noise?

I'm glad you found where it came from.

 

"Just" to be prudent... I am going to post a little note on the dash when I take my Tacoma in to the Stealership for an alignment (post lift work) next Tuesday. It will say "Caution, light throttle pedal" so hopefully the tech won't be expecting the normal resistant accelerator pedal feel.

 

I know this is an old thread and it mentions the 3rd gen trucks, but is this "mod" also for the 2nd gen. Tacos ?

 

Make a new thread here,
https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/2nd-gen-tacomas-2005-2015.5/

 

Hi all first time posting here. Just tried this with my 2017 but it feels like the truck is misfiring when accelerating. Didn’t feel like that before taking out the inner spring.. Is there a chance that there needs to be some programming work? Or is it possible for someone to program the throttle response without removing the inner spring?

 

Unplug the battery negative and put it back to stock, plug the battery negative and go drive it.

 

I miss my ‘83 GTI. Manual everything and no AC. At the time, my Dad had a Mk3 Supra Turbo. The GTI had only a fraction of the power, but it was way more fun.