The Electronic Throttle Control
Electronic throttle control
Electronic throttle control (ETC) is an automobile technology which electronically "connects" the accelerator pedal to the throttle, replacing a mechanical linkage.
Full Answer
How do I Reset my electronic throttle control manually?
Service electronic throttle control
- Run a diagnosis on your vehicle. Even after noticing a symptom, you need to know the exact issue with your car. ...
- Temperature check/regulation. Practice taking the vehicle’s engine up to operating temperature and checking that the ignition timing is set according to the package recommendations.
- Release your gas paddle. ...
- On and off your ignition. ...
- Final step. ...
What happens when the electronic throttle control goes bad?
What happens when the electronic throttle control goes bad? When a TPS goes bad, then the car’s throttle body won’t function properly. It could either stay shut or it won’t close properly which is a severe issue. … When the throttle gets stuck in an open position than your vehicle will receive too much air and cause it to have a high or fluctuating idle.
How much does it cost to repair electronic throttle control?
Since this is such a key part to every car’s internal system, the average cost for this repair can be quite pricey – the average electronic throttle control repair cost comes out to around $645!Aug 17, 2020. How do I reset my electronic throttle control? Resetting your electronic throttle control manually can be a tricky job.
How to fix an electronic throttle control?
How to Replace the Throttle System
- Find the Throttle Control. If you’re just starting out fixing truck stuff, you will have no idea where the throttle body is located.
- Take the Throttle Cover Out. To proceed with the replacement, you need to use a screwdriver to unscrew it all. ...
- Unplug Everything. Then proceed to disconnect everything from it. ...
- Install the New Body. ...
- Finish & Check. ...
What does it mean when the electronic throttle control light comes on?
solution: this indicates a serious failure of your throttle control system. the engine computer is programmed to go into limp mode when the system malfunctions, in an attempt to limit your speed and prevent damage to the engine. it can be caused by a sensor failure, or even by outside electromagnetic interference.Aug 1, 2018
How do I fix my electronic throttle control system?
0:362:53How To Replace A Bad Electronic Throttle On Your Car - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipGet a new one don't get a Rheem and the reman ones aren't that good the new ones are much betterMoreGet a new one don't get a Rheem and the reman ones aren't that good the new ones are much better then you put a new gasket. In slide the throttle assembly over it. And then bolt it back on snog.
Can you drive with electronic throttle control light on?
It is not safe to drive with an electronic throttle control light. While you might be lucky and only have a drop in fuel efficiency or a slight drop in acceleration, the problem can quickly get worse if the sensor readings continue to go awry.Apr 3, 2022
How much does it cost to fix electronic throttle control?
The average cost for throttle body replacement is between $489 and $600. Labor costs are estimated between $86 and $109 while parts are priced between $403 and $491. This range does not include taxes and fees, and does not factor in your specific vehicle or unique location. Related repairs may also be needed.
Can throttle controllers damage your car?
No, throttle controllers are not bad for your car or truck. They do not directly connect with any programming modules and only manage electrical current in the gas pedal.Jul 8, 2021
What are the symptoms of a dirty throttle body?
When the throttle body gets dirty, it has a direct effect on how smoothly the engine operates. Signs indicating a problem include rough idling, jumpy or sluggish acceleration, poor fuel economy, and stalling. With the use of a throttle body cleaning product, the dirt and debris buildup are easily removed.Aug 30, 2021
What does a red lightning bolt mean on a car?
electronic throttle control systemThe lightning bolt warning light alerts you to a fault in the electronic throttle control system in your vehicle. This may be a faulty throttle body, the throttle body sensor or possibly the throttle body control motor which is what controls the opening and closing of the throttle body as the motor requires more fuel.Jan 28, 2018
What causes throttle control failure?
Filth, carbon, and dirt can build up in the housing creating problems with air flow. Known as coking, the normally smooth service for air to travel becomes full of gunk and creates an imbalance. This interrupts that perfect mixture of air and fuel which can cause the butterfly valve to get stuck.Dec 20, 2018
Can I replace throttle body myself?
If you have the proper mechanical skill set you can replace your throttle position sensor yourself.Oct 14, 2016
How many hours does it take to replace a throttle body?
How long does a throttle body replacement take? The job usually takes around an hour for either a replacement or a cleaning.Oct 4, 2021
How often does a throttle body need to be replaced?
How Long Does a Throttle Body Last? While you should clean your throttle body at least once every 75,000 miles, a throttle body that's properly cared for can easily last 150,000 or even 200,000 miles. That's because it's a mechanical component, and it takes a while for mechanical components to wear out.Nov 1, 2021
What is electronic throttle control?
But electronic throttle control, which is sometimes called drive-by-wire, uses electronic, instead of mechanical, signals to control the throttle. That means that when you step on your car's gas pedal, instead of opening the throttle, you're activating an accelerator pedal module, which converts the pressure you put on the pedal into an electric ...
Why are throttle controls well insulated?
While a short circuit could, in theory, cause an electronic throttle control to open the throttle and rev the engine, many experts point out that the systems are well insulated to prevent electromagnetic interference from compromising the system.
How does a throttle work?
In a mechanical system, the throttle relies only on driver input to decide how far to open or close. With an electronic throttle control system, the main control unit not only reads input from the driver's foot on the accelerator, but it also examines input from wheels that are slipping, wheels that have grip, the steering system and the brakes, ...
What is a smart throttle motor?
Most systems use a smart throttle motor. The throttle motor is the final gatekeeper that throttle signals need to go through before the throttle actually moves. If the throttle motor detects voltage or signals that didn't come from the engine control module, it's designed to shut the engine down.
Why are throttle systems so worn?
Mechanical throttle systems, because they are made up of a lot of moving parts, are subject to a lot of wear. Over the life of the car, the various components can wear out. By comparison, an electronic throttle control system has comparatively few moving parts -- it sends its signals by electric impulse, not moving parts.
When did cars have throttle control?
Up until the late 1980s, most cars had a fairly straightforward throttle control. You stepped on the accelerator pedal, the throttle opened, and air flowed into the engine, where it mixed with gasoline and burned. This burning gas powered the car's wheels, getting you down the road.
Is electronic throttle control a complex system?
Electronic throttle control may be a complex system, but it makes driving a car easier and safer, and it can reduce maintenance. However, one of the concerns raised during the 2009-2010 Toyota recall was whether outside signals can interfere with electronic throttle control. Keep reading to learn whether this is true.
What is an electronic throttle control system?
The accelerator pedal looks the same as it always has, but its interaction with the throttle body has changed. The thro ttle cable has been replaced by the accelerator position sensor ( APS), which detects the exact position of the pedal at any given moment, transmitting this signal to the ETC module.
How does an ICE engine work?
The internal combustion engine (ICE) of your car is essentially an air pump, pulling in air through the intake system and expelling it through the exhaust system. Engine power output is determined by intake air quantity, controlled by the throttle body. Until the late 1980s, the throttle body was controlled by a cable, ...
Why is electronic throttle control important?
The benefits of electronic throttle control are largely unnoticed by most drivers because the aim is to make the vehicle power-train characteristics seamlessly consistent irrespective of prevailing conditions, such as engine temperature, altitude, and accessory loads. Electronic throttle control is also working 'behind the scenes' ...
How does the engine control computer work?
The engine control computer shuts down the signal to the throttle position motor and a set of springs in the throttle set it to a fast idle, fast enough to get the transmission in gear but not so fast that driving may be dangerous .
What is an ETC system?
A typical ETC system consists of three major components: (i) an accelerator pedal module (ideally with two or more independent sensors), (ii) a throttle valve that can be opened and closed by an electric motor (sometimes referred to as an electric or electronic throttle body (ETB)), and (iii) a powertrain or engine control module (PCM or ECM).
Is TPS a physical contact?
The more reliable solution is the magnetic coupling, which makes no physical contact, so will never be subject to failing by wear. This is an insidious failure as it may not provide any symptoms until there is total failure. All cars having a TPS have what is known as a 'limp-home-mode'.
Is there a mechanical linkage between the accelerator pedal and the throttle valve?
There is no mechanical linkage between the accelerator pedal and the throttle valve with electronic throttle control. Instead, the position of the throttle valve (i.e., the amount of air in the engine) is fully controlled by the ETC software via the electric motor. But just opening or closing the throttle valve by sending a new signal to ...
How does an electric throttle control system work?
As oppose to old vehicles, almost all modern vehicles have an electric throttle control system, so applying pressure on the gas pedal transmits a signal to the ECM. The ECM uses the signal’s information to transmit a control signal to the electric motor placed on the throttle body that changes the valve’s position accordingly.
Why is electronic throttle control important?
Most car enthusiasts are unaware of the Electronic Throttle Control’s benefits because this it’s goal is to make sure that the car’s powertrain or transmission system operates optimally regardless of predominant situations , including altitude, accessory loads, and temperature of the engine.
What is the gas pedal?
The gas pedal controls the job of your throttle control. In old vehicles, the gas pedal is connected by a cable that links it to the engine and is joined to a linkage fixed to the carburetor or throttle body. But for vehicles with ETC, when you apply pressure on your accelerator pedal, the throttle cable forces the mechanical linkage inward, ...
What is an ETC?
An Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) is a technology for automobile vehicles, which connects the gas pedal to your throttle electronically, restoring the mechanical link.
How to reset throttle control?
Turn off your radio, heater, rear window defogger, and air conditioner to prevent overloading your engine, which will negatively affect your throttle plate’s position. Then ensure that our front wheels are in the neutral position, facing straight. After this, you can now reset your throttle control.
Why does my throttle smell?
When your throttle control is damaged, it can lead to high fuel consumption, which might be due to a miscommunication linkage between your throttle controller and the engine’s air-fuel mixture, which is controlled by your airflow sensor. You might perceive a gas smell if there is a leakage from the damage.
Why don't drivers know the throttle system?
Most drivers overlook the throttle system’s significance in their vehicles , and they pay less attention to the system. So when their vehicle begins to exhibit symptoms of a failing throttle system, a lot of them might not know because they don’t know the function of their electronic throttle control light indicator, leaving the fault to build up until the vehicle break down or even lead to dangerous situations.
What is the part of the throttle control system?
There are a few different parts to your electronic throttle control system, and an integral one is the accelerator pedal position sensor . This sensor communicates with your vehicle’s ECM to let it know how fast you want to go.
What happens when you push the throttle?
When you pushed the pedal, you opened the throttle body, and you increased the amount of air that enters your engine. But in as technologies advanced, physical linkages were replaced with sensors and actuators. While this system allows for better air ...
What does ECM tell you?
From there, the ECM tells the throttle how much to open or close. But if the ECM can’t get an accurate reading from the pedal due to a faulty sensor, you’ll never get the acceleration you want. If the computer recognizes that something is wrong with the sensor, you’ll get an electronic throttle control light. 3.
What does ECM do when everything doesn't come back?
So, when everything doesn’t come back the way it expects, it throws an electronic throttle control light so you can check out what’s going on. 2.
What happens if you have an electronic throttle light on?
If you have an electronic throttle light that’s on, you can quickly damage your engine, which can lead to even more expensive repairs when you get it to a repair shop.
Why does my throttle light turn on?
Your electronic throttle control light monitors the throttle control system to ensure that everything is working the way it should. When it’s not, the light turns on to let you know that there is a problem.
Why is my throttle body stuck?
There are plenty of reasons that the throttle body can get stuck, but a common one is carbon build-up. Take a look at your throttle body and ensure that it can easily open and close. If it can’t, see if you can’t remove any obstructions and try cleaning it with a high-quality carb cleaner.
What is electronic throttle control?
Electronic. With electronic throttle control, instead of a cable, the pedal is connected to a position sensor. When you press the gas pedal, its position is shared with the ECM, which uses it to open the throttle as efficiently as possible.
What are the two types of throttle control systems?
There are two main types of throttle control systems – cable, which is the older of the two, and electronic.
What happens if throttle controller goes bad?
If your electronic throttle controller goes bad, then do not be the one that waits to take care of it. Not only will your engine suffer in terms of performance, but it also poses a potential safety concern due to random acceleration issues. So fix it immediately!
Why does my ETC throttle body act up?
There are many reasons an ETC might act up. However, the most likely issue is that it’s dirty. Thankfully, cleaning an electronic throttle body is pretty simple. If it has failed completely, though, you may need to replace the throttle body entirely.
What happens if your TPS calls it quits?
If your TPS decides to call it quits, you’ll likely experience random idle surges. Alongside sporadic idling, you may also notice your engine misfiring, a rough idle, or stalling. It’s also possible that your car idles too high or too low.