What are the causes of electronic throttle failure in cars?
2 Answers
Electronic throttle failure is caused by poor contact, open circuit, or short circuit in the throttle position sensor. Below are the specific causes and diagnostic methods for the failure: Causes of electronic throttle failure: Damaged throttle position sensor. Poor contact, open circuit, or short circuit in the throttle position sensor wiring, incorrect initialization position, excessive carbon buildup in the throttle, damaged throttle servo motor. Poor contact or short circuit in the throttle servo motor wiring. Faulty engine control unit. Diagnostic methods for electronic throttle failure: Use a computer diagnostic tool to read freeze frame data. When a DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Code) is stored, the ECM (Engine Control Module) records vehicle and driving condition information as freeze frame data. During troubleshooting, freeze frame data helps determine whether the vehicle was running or stopped when the failure occurred, whether the engine was warm or cold, whether the air-fuel ratio was lean or rich, and other relevant data.
I've encountered electronic throttle failures a few times, which is quite annoying. The most common cause is excessive carbon buildup in the throttle body, blocking the airflow passages. Over time, this can lead to engine shaking or starting difficulties. Sensor failures are also frequent - when my car's position sensor failed, the acceleration became consistently unstable, and ECU reading errors became a major headache. Wiring issues like loose connections or short circuits causing signal interruptions - once during rainy weather, my car developed problems and inspection revealed corroded damp wiring. There's also mechanical component wear, such as stuck throttle blades, which relates to driving habits - frequent hard acceleration accelerates aging. For prevention, I recommend regular throttle body carbon cleaning, using fuel additives, or professional shop cleaning to extend lifespan and reduce breakdown risks.
