sticky throttle 1.8T
 

My 1999 1.8t developed a sticky gas pedal a couple months ago. I followed the advice from a thread I started here and cleaned the throttle body with carb cleaner. I found that the inside of the throttle body around the valve was pretty dirty and covered in a fine carbon build-up. It seemed to help for a few days, and then the stickiness came right back.

I just got inside from my garage where I cleaned it for a second time. It was pretty clean this time, with only a tiny amount of build up. I also pulled the IAC valve and found that the tip was covered in carbon build up. I cleaned that well with carb cleaner, as well as the "hole" or whatever that it is inserted into. When I drove the jeep around the block to test it out there was absolutely no change.

This is exactly how it feels: I usually pump the gas pedal a few times before I start the car, thinking this will help. The pedal usually moves pretty freely at this point. When I start the car, the first time I press on the gas, it is EXTREMELY stiff. So stiff I have to really press on it to get it to move. When it finally "breaks free", I'm pressing on it hard enough that the engine usually surges to 1500-2000 rpms momentarily. After the initially acceleration, the gas pedal moves more freely, but there is still resistance to get the pedal moving. What I mean is that there is not constant resistance for the whole range of the pedal, only for what feels like the pedal or throttle body is breaking free of some resistance.

Any other ideas about what this could be? I replaced the IAC valve a few weeks or so before this problem started, but after cleaning it today, I don't think the IAC valve is to blame. Any advice would be very appreciated.