It's hard to access or see easily under there,
but the aft end of the cable clips over a ball pivot near the top of that
lever on the trans.
I've seen those rusted solidly, like no pivoting at all.
I can only imagine that stiffens up the cable feel or action, and makes it
harder for the trans to upshift.......
as the position of that lever controls a pressure that affects upshifting
time, I believe.

I've seen a whole auto trans get removed and nearly condemmed, just over
that one spot being stuck or rusty, or jammed.

Give that a real good look.
where the rod to the throttle body pivots in the top of the trans
lever......
there are plastic bushings there that wear out.
I doubt your throttle body is involved, but disconnecting that part to test
the rest of it might not be a waste of time.
Scott
www.turbovans.com
thanks for saying year and model too !

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dave Yates" <transparu@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, August 07, 2009 9:05 PM
Subject: Accelerator problem -Kickdown lever

I have an 86 Auto transmission in my T3.

In recent times there has been a problem with the accelerator.  When I
start off in the morning, or start off from the lights etc, I find
that the accelerator pedal sticks most times. I have to push it quite
hard to get it to operate.  Once it DOES operate, there is no problem
until I have had my foot off the pedal for some time.

After quite a bit of poking around I find that it is not to do with
the pivot at the bottom of the pedal or that under the floor.  It also
isn�t to do with the engine end of the cable.

It also isn�t to do with friction in the cable sheath.

It seems that the resistance is in the auto transmission (the
accelerator cables connects to the kickdown lever on the A/T and then
a cable goes from this lever to the engine.).  It is the actual
movement of the kickdown lever that is the problem.

Has anyone has this issue arise?  I can open up the transmission, but
it is a bit messy and cost the ATF, so before I do that again I�m
wondering whether anyone else can comment having found a similar
problem.

Thanks folks,

Dave