97 SD 7.3.. push gas pedal and nothing happens

[chevychevy33]

i have a 1997 F250 SD 2 wheel drive, 7.3 turbo, automatic trans..... the problem is sometimes i push the gas pedal it does nothing(just keeps idling) and the "check gauges" light comes on, i can pump the pedal a few time then it goes, BUT the trans will shift very fast through the gears. i can stop and turn the truck off and restart and put it back in gear and it will works fine. this only happens every now and then

[Paul H]

Bad throttle position sensor on the peddle assymbly. When it fails the truck will try to use Limp Home Mode and trans will shift funny.

The only fix is to purchase a new throttle peddle assymbly from Ford, they never sold just the position sensor seporate.

[massbadass]

You can get the tps separate, it's a doorman part. it will get worse with time so i'd replace it soon.

[okie1]

It could also be the validation switch on the pedal, probably even more likely. Again not sold separately, try spraying with contact cleaner while moving switch. When mine does this I push the pedal all the way to the floor then slide my foot off the side of the pedal so it pops up fast and hard, works every time for me.

[frugalyankee]

Had the same problem with my '95 PSD two years ago. It had me perplexed until I found out what it was by reading on here. Sprayed the heck out of it with WD-40 and haven't had a problem with it since.

[Bernhardt]

The Idle Validation Switch(IVS) is available, but you need to go the electrical component distributor route not the automotive parts route. If you can solder, drill, cut, bend sheet metal with pliers, and measure you can get the proper momentary(IIRC contact when pushed in) type switch from Radio Shack for something like $5 bucks. You just need to make a new bracket to hold it.