How To Fix Electronic Throttle Control Problem

When lights turn on in your dash, and y'all don't know what they mean, it tin can be extremely disconcerting. Just even when yous figure out what it means, if you lot don't understand why it'southward turning on and how to make it stop, it tin feel like a ticking time bomb.

But what exactly is throttle command, and what does it hateful when the throttle command light is flashing? Don't worry; nosotros'll suspension down everything you lot demand to know nigh electronic throttle control warning light flashing to go that light turned off and get you back on the route in no time!

Normal Operation of the Throttle Command Light

If you're trying to figure out if there'southward a problem, you need to know how the organisation works when everything is normal.

When you turn on your vehicle, all of the lights on your dash should turn on and and so plough dorsum off subsequently a few seconds. If any of the lights are flashing, information technology's alright – every bit long as they turn off after a few seconds. At this indicate, your vehicle is running a system check, and everything is perfectly normal.

Not every car has a throttle command low-cal, even though almost every car made in the concluding 30 years has an electronic throttle control. That'southward because many manufacturers incorporate this feature into the regular check engine light.

Still, if your vehicle does take a dedicated electronic throttle control light, it usually looks like a lightning bolt with a curved line on each side.

Every bit long every bit the calorie-free turns dorsum off, information technology means that everything is working the way information technology should. Withal, if the light doesn't plow back off, or continues to wink without turning off, then information technology means you lot have a problem. You lot'll need to ready the problem and reset the arrangement before the light turns off.

What Is an Electronic Throttle Command?

While cars made over 30 years ago oft had linkages direct connecting the gas pedal to the throttle body, mod cars accomplish this same feat with sensors. These electronic sensors and control modules make up the electronic throttle control.

This organisation works directly with the ECU to decide a wide array of factors. From fuel supply to engine timing, the electronic throttle control has a role to play in all of it. That'due south why it's so important to gear up the electronic throttle command as before long as a malfunction occurs.

Common Causes of a Faulty Electronic Throttle Control

Several problems will atomic number 82 to a faulty electronic throttle control. The easiest way to decide which part is the problem is to read the diagnostic trouble code. Typical code readers will be able to tell you lot why the lawmaking appeared. Part stores similar AutoZone will read this code for free and tell you what needs to exist checked.

Faulty Throttle Control Sensor

Modern vehicles are loaded with sensors at every twist and turn. While this enables all kinds of cool features, the tradeoff is that equally soon as one sensor goes wrong, the entire system tin can go down. That'due south the case with the throttle command sensor, also known as the throttle body position sensor.

This sensor tells the ECU the throttle body's current position, so the ECU knows the perfect fuel and timing ratios to adjust everything else too. With a faulty throttle position sensor, the ECU doesn't know how to time everything, and an engine lawmaking will be the outcome.

Faulty Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor or Module

In addition to the throttle position sensor, the electronic throttle command consists of an accelerator pedal position sensor and an accelerator pedal module. The acceleration pedal position sensor sends the electric current position of the accelerator pedal to the command module.

The module uses this data to communicate with the throttle position sensor to establish the correct throttle position. If whatever of these components wear out and break, you'll finish upwards with a trouble code, and the arrangement won't piece of work the mode it should.

Stuck Throttle Body

All of the electronic components can be working independently only like they should, but if the actual throttle body is stuck or damaged, the organization as a whole won't piece of work correctly.

A visual and mechanical inspection will assist you lot make up one's mind if the throttle body is working the mode it should. Try to open and close the throttle body and be certain to bank check for any visual obstructions. The throttle body should open with minimum attempt and should close automatically as soon every bit you release it.

Symptoms of a Faulty Electronic Throttle Control

While the most visible symptom of a faulty electronic throttle control is a bank check engine light or an electronic throttle control light, some performance concerns volition crop upward as well. Information technology's because of these functioning concerns that you can't just ignore the light and hope for the best.

Reduced Fuel Economic system

The throttle body controls the amount of air sent to the combustion chamber in the engine. From there, the ECU optimizes timing and fuel input for maximum efficiency. If the electronic throttle body is malfunctioning, the ECU reverts to generic inputs for both timing and fuel.

This volition go on your engine running, but you'll often end upwardly using fashion as well much fuel since the ECU can't optimize it for your current driving atmospheric condition. It's amend than nothing, merely it'southward not keen.

Reduced Acceleration

Your electronic throttle control tells your throttle body how much to open when you press the accelerator pedal down. But if the controls aren't working, then you lot'll be unable to accelerate the way you should when you press the pedal.

The arrangement will rarely neglect entirely right away, so you'll all the same be able to drive some, but the longer you wait, the worse the bug will get. A slightly reduced acceleration today might turn into a total-blown failure to accelerate when you need to tomorrow.

Loftier Idle/Stalling/Sputtering Engine

Sometimes faulty electronic throttle controls will lead to a throttle body that never closes to a regular idle. Instead, it might simply shut partially, leading to an excessively high idle.

Conversely, the throttle might close too much, either while idling or while driving. If this happens, your engine might stall out since it'due south not getting the necessary air to run correctly.

If information technology's non dying completely, it might sputter as it struggles to stay running. Your engine needs air, so if the throttle is closing as well much, you'll notice.

Irregular Throttle Control

Your electronic throttle command handles your throttle control. So, it makes sense if your throttle control is faulty, then y'all'll have issues with throttle control. It does more than simply brand sense; it'south precisely what happens.

Sometimes you might have excessive acceleration, and other times you might not advance at all. It will exist impossible to predict acceleration with a faulty electronic throttle command, leading to significant issues while you're driving.

Can You Drive with a Faulty Electronic Throttle Control?

The brusque answer to this question is that you can absolutely bulldoze with a faulty electronic throttle control arrangement – only you shouldn't. That's because while y'all can get away with driving with a defective throttle control for a little while, doing it for an extended period of time will end upwards causing damage to your engine.

The improper fuel ratios that the ECU ends up mixing in the combustion sleeping accommodation is rough on both your fuel economy and your engine. The excessive force tin crusade harm, leaving you with a costly repair bill.

Furthermore, inconsistent acceleration tin can turn into a significant safety take a chance. Whether you're trying to slowly inch forrad and stop up accelerating wildly, or you need to punch it to get on the superhighway, and you tin can't get the umph you lot need – a faulty electronic throttle control can create severe consequences.

Finally, electronic throttle controls rarely fail all at in one case. When y'all first notice the light, it volition likely however piece of work to some degree. But the longer y'all put off repairs, the more severe the symptoms will become, and the more dangerous it will go to drive your vehicle.

Summary

While it's not the sexiest component in your vehicle, it is one of the near of import. Electronic throttle controls have enabled manufacturers to rearrange engine layouts and eliminated mechanical linkages that were prone to break.

But while electronic throttle controls are a step in the right direction, they aren't perfect. Because electronic throttle control systems take such a wide-ranging impact, you must take the time to properly troubleshoot and repair the organization equally soon as something goes wrong.

The good news is that it'southward just a faulty sensor most of the fourth dimension, and it can be quick and easy to fix. Either fashion, read the code and develop a programme of activeness to get your vehicle back on the road!