1997 Dodge Caravan throttle cable control

Two things that might have happened.
1. As you said, it was very cold morning. When you stepped on the gas the first time the cable was frozen inside the line, pulling the throttle spring causing wide open throttle and you raced backward.

2. If your throttle body is full for carbon deposit (hasn't been maintained or cleaned for a while), in the cold winter, when you engage the throttle cable, the carbon deposit cause throttle spring to lock up at wide open throttle condition.

If this happens next time (God forbids), instead of shifting to "Park", you should shift to "Neutral", and turn off the motor. You may want to check the operation of the throttle cable, making sure that it is pulling and retracting freely, no frayed cable in the line. You may also want to remove the air intake hose, and liberally spray some carb cleaner into the throttle body to clean up the carbon deposit. Make sure you spray around the throttle spring, too. Get a clean rag and wipe the black carbon off.

thank you i did get it cheked out it was the ice in the line they spreyed lithium grease on the coil and it is working fine now hope it stay's that way .!!! very scarey incident i was lucky it was it the parking lot of where i live private property.no ticket.

I am glad everything worked out. Just remember, shift to neutral instead of park, and then shut the key off...