Car starts too fast, needs mechanical help... Even the garage doesn't know !

[chlorate]

Hi,
I bought a 300C 2006 with 80000km mileage. It needed some work to be done, suspension, replacement of the key, etc, so I took it to my garage.
There's one issue he was not able to fix: the car starts too fast. He's never seen anything like that. After turning the key, if the accelerator pad is pressed even slightly, the car will start drifting. It does look good when you want to race, but most of the time I'm just trying to exit my parking spot and it really doesn't help.
Once the car is started, no issue anymore. It's really after starting the engine that the accelerator pad is way too sensitive, to the point that it is impossible to control the car. There is no small and progressive acceleration, it's just full power. Only solution is to let it go without pressing the accelerator pad, then go very smoothly on it.

The garage was laughing while telling me that it's a first time he's having a car which starts too fast. Well, I was looking for something powerful, but clearly there's something wrong.
I don't have any record of what the previous owner of the car has done, but the computer says everything is OK.

Any idea from experienced guys ?

[MoParHorsepower]

Do a search for: throttle calibration

[Northern Rider]

Here ya go:

Throttle calibration
1) Insert ignition key and turn to "ON" (not start).
2) Wait for all idiot lights to go out. Check Engine Light may remain on.
3) Slowly depress the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor.
4) Slowly release the accelerator pedal until it's all the way back up.
5) Turn the ignition key to "OFF".
6) Start the engine.

[MoParHorsepower]

Originally Posted by Northern Rider

Here ya go:

Throttle calibration
1) Insert ignition key and turn to "ON" (not start).
2) Wait for all idiot lights to go out. Check Engine Light may remain on.
3) Slowly depress the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor.
4) Slowly release the accelerator pedal until it's all the way back up.
5) Turn the ignition key to "OFF".
6) Start the engine.

I could have posted that as well, but I was trying to get him used to doing a search instead of waiting for someone to hand feed them the answer like so many do.

[Northern Rider]

Yeah - I know.

Sometimes the noobies need a little priming - and I was in a generous mood . . .

[DESIREE]

Originally Posted by MoParHorsepower

I could have posted that as well, but I was trying to get him used to doing a search instead of waiting for someone to hand feed them the answer like so many do.

Ouch!
The guy has 2 postings! He may not be familiar with the search feature. You might have pointed out how the search feature works.

[chlorate]

Hey guys !

I work in IT, I spend most of my time online, I even run some forums based on the same framework as this one ... Be sure that I found out what throttle calibration is long before you posted the solution :-)
Moreover, it helps for people coming from google who are not registered at all.

Throttle calibration sounded like a myth more than anything serious, but it actually fixed the issue. I also noticed in the Easter egg menu that the pressure percentage applied on the accelerator pad is displayed. I didn't check before the calibration, but I reckon it would have displayed wrong information ?

In your experience, is it something that needs to be repeated from time to time ? Why is it loosing its calibration, is it due to the fact that it is an old model ? CCN software sayd 7/27/04, v3.61...

Thanks !

[Khalid]

hey bro cholorate, ur in dubai right?

[DESIREE]

Originally Posted by chlorate

Hey guys !

I work in IT, I spend most of my time online, I even run some forums based on the same framework as this one ... Be sure that I found out what throttle calibration is long before you posted the solution :-)
Moreover, it helps for people coming from google who are not registered at all.

Throttle calibration sounded like a myth more than anything serious, but it actually fixed the issue. I also noticed in the Easter egg menu that the pressure percentage applied on the accelerator pad is displayed. I didn't check before the calibration, but I reckon it would have displayed wrong information ?

In your experience, is it something that needs to be repeated from time to time ? Why is it loosing its calibration, is it due to the fact that it is an old model ? CCN software sayd 7/27/04, v3.61...

Thanks !

My 2005 has the same software version. I haven't had any throttle calibration issues. I've tried the throttle calibration procedure but didn't notice any difference.

I did have to have the actual throttle pedal replaced a couple years ago though.

[Torian]

Pretty amazing that the mechanic was that clueless...and yet a guy with no experience fixing cars finds the solution after a short search on the internet. I hope you got a discount for doing the mechanic's job!