Frozen throttle body?

[Studebaker Geor]

Well, here is the first and strangest that has happened to me with my van. It's a 2005 with the 3.3. Cruising along at seventy on a cold morning and the engine started to lose power, then tried to step down farther on the gas and the pedal would not move. Like trying to step on a rock. I pushed it HARD with no change. Coasted to the shoulder and it idled but poorly...crept on the shoulder until I found a good spot to stop. Two big dogs and the 'ol lady in the van and in the middle of nowhere. The thing was running, but barely. Set for a minute and it started clearing it's throat and the pedal came back to normal. I cancelled our trip and headed home slowly without any more trouble. I suspect the throttle valve iced up; loosened the air cleaner top so it would suck in warmer air for the return (who cares if a little dirt got in at that point..) The air filter is fairly new and the inside of the air cleaner looks quite clean. I am aware of the throttle cleaning procedure, but I doubt carbon or gook would freeze the thing while cruising. I have never seen a throttle position sensor do this either...anyone have any ideas?

[moe7404]

moe in wichita ks
most of the time plates cant freeze with out water. you did the right thing to take off the air hat. some cars/trucks have a box for the air cleaner and a air intake going to the side or front, bringing in outside air that sometimes has water in it, under the conditions you were under one would be well off to take it off. this is NOT the hose going to the engine, this will let in warmer air, and keep the plates from freezing. on my dak i took it off and left it like that, i dont like getting all that trash in my air cleaner, leafs, sticks. rocks.