300tdi auto fly-by-wire

need some info on the fly by wire cable,problem started during cold spells when the accelerater pedal would be stiff on start up when left over night then free it self when warmer,but when i started today throttle was very spongy and the auto box wouldnt changed up until it reached 3500 revs so engine was basically screaming,so i lifted the bonnet and inspected the wire harness above the pump,im no technician so bare with me,the cable running from pedal to swing arm was ok but the cable which runs of the swing arm(the lower of the 2 cables ) was fexible and not tight,im not sure where this cable runs but you can pull the cable but it does not return unless you push it back in so i guess the cable is not snapped so i need to know where this cable is connected and why would it not return??? any help would be appreciated,the car is a 300tdi auto with edc 1996 n reg