Cruise control and sticking gas pedal

I've noticed recently that after using the cruise control on the freeway in my 98 3.1 Malibu, the gas pedal is lower to the floor, firmer, and more sensitive. I found out it does this because the throttle cable for the accelerator pedal doesn't retract fully into its sleeve, and when the cruise control cable opens the throttle, the pedal cable comes off of its pulley.

To fix the problem I have to pull over, turn off the engine and floor the accelerator, which puts the cable back into the groove on the pulley.

I've tried spraying WD-40 on the cable so it will retract more easily, and I'm a little reluctant to use tape to keep the cable in the groove on the pulley. I've noticed the pulley for the cruise control is black plastic, and doesn't have an exposed groove, while the pulley for the pedal is metal with the exposed groove, allowing the cable to come out. Is this the way it's supposed to be, it seems like a dumb design to me?

I'm wondering if anybody else has had this problem, and I'd really appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks,
Mike

Look up under the hood near the throttle plate and see if the accelerator cable is OK.