Ridiculously touchy gas pedal '97 F350

[happyrider]

I love my truck--its the best truck I've ever had. '97 F350 diesel dually with a chip. The gas pedal has been very touchy from the start, and got worse when I put the chip in at 100,000 miles, but it hasn't really been a problem until now. I've got a new gooseneck horse trailer that for some reason starts the truck bouncing when we go over a bump. I've pulled most of my 160,000 miles with large trailers, so this is new. The problem is, with the bouncing of the truck, you can't hold your foot steady on the pedal, so the entire rig starts bucking! Lots of fun, for me and the horses!

The trailer is well within the truck's towing capacity. I have airbags on the back axle. The Ford dealer said, "Huh?" The trailer is level. 4.10 rear axle.

What can I do? I don't want to have to buy a new truck over this, but its dangerous! Any suggestions?

 

[Skandocious]

I do believe those PSDs don't have a throttle cable attached to that pedal -- I believe it's strictly electronic. Not sure how to remedy the problem but perhaps that will steer someone in the right direction to give you some help.

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Mr. Stroker]

A bad Throttle Positioning Sensor (TPS)??? Idk sounds crazy. All's i know is i want some pics of this truck lol!!!

 

[d-kuzmen]

The truck has a electronic pedal, it could be sending improper signals to the pcm making it seem touchy, when you add the chip that bumps up performance of the engine, that could make it seem worse. Could try to get a junkyard peddal see if it changes, or have the dealer check it with a scan tool watch voltage changes and such.

 

[conanski]

As for the bouncing, you may want to upgrade the rear shocks, the airbags are probably overpowering what's there now... or they are worn out.

 

[happyrider]

Thanks for your replies. Although I don't know what psd or pcm stand for (not a mechanically minded woman, here). This will help steer me in the right direction, and the rear shocks probably are worn out.

 

[Skandocious]

PSD = Powerstroke Diesel (the engine in your truck)
PCM = Powertrain Control Module (the computer)

 

[happyrider]

Oh, thanks. Of course. . .

 

[flareside_thunder]

I'm gonna have to second the comment on the shocks...I've got a buddy with a 97 f-250 with 350 runnin gear out of an 01 as well as the engine...and ever since he swapped the engine it does the saaaame thing...and yea he's chipped out too......