Would it be OK to e.g. simply spray a bit of WD40 under the bonnet where the pedal engages with the throttle to see if this does the trick - any reason I shouldn't do this?
02 Almera by the way (pre facelift). From googling, there seems to be a mention of a few throttle issues OK, but 'play' in the cable seems to be more often what is reported - simple adjustment/tightening seems to address it.
This is different though - it's a slight stiffness/stickiness and it sometimes requires a little extra pressure for the pedal to travel past the stiff point.
I am no expert on the car model but this has happened before to me where the cable was fraying. Once the small pieces of wire were unravelling they were sticking on the outer cable.
02 Almera by the way (pre facelift). From googling, there seems to be a mention of a few throttle issues OK, but 'play' in the cable seems to be more often what is reported - simple adjustment/tightening seems to address it.
This is different though - it's a slight stiffness/stickiness and it sometimes requires a little extra pressure for the pedal to travel past the stiff point.
Had the exact same problem with a 00 Almera i used to own. Sometimes the accelerator seemed a little stuck and need a bit of extra encouragement to move. Mentioned it to my mechanic when servicing it once and he cleaned the accelerator housing and that seemed to help.
Has anyone found a definitive solution to this?
i have exactly the same problem on a 51 reg 1.8 se almera. Using WD 40 on the accelerator pedal, on the cable, and on the throttle itself seemed to ease the problem -- but it's never quite gone away.
other suggestions have been:
frayed throttle cable
build up of deposits in throttle body.
Most likely throttle cable needs to be replaced but check the obvious things first like car mats cathching pedal or something caught around pedal area. Have someone press pedal whilst you watch movement inside engine bay and see if you can see any obstructions. As others have said a good spray is no harm - just beware of getting a lot of it around your pedal - can be very slippy and dangerous.
If you press you pedal by "hand" it may help you identify where the resistance is as you will have more feel this way.