What are the symptoms of a faulty electronic throttle?
3 Answers
There are three main symptoms of a faulty electronic throttle: 1. If the electronic throttle pedal is damaged, the dashboard warning light will illuminate: The car's throttle pedal may become stiff, produce unusual noises when pressed, and may not return to its original position after being depressed; 2. A damaged electronic throttle pedal can cause the throttle pedal sensor to fail: The ECU will be unable to detect the throttle position, leading to unstable idling, throttle sticking, unresponsive acceleration, and making the car unusable; 3. If the throttle pedal data does not match the reference voltage, being either too high or too low, it indicates a possible fault in the electronic throttle pedal: The electronic throttle pedal contains two ICs, serving as the primary/secondary pedal sensors. When the pedal is not pressed, the primary IC reference voltage should be around 800mv, and when fully pressed, around 4900mv.
That time I drove to another city, I stepped on the accelerator but the car felt like it had fallen asleep, with no response for ages. The acceleration was as slow as a snail crawling, and it struggled even more going uphill—I was almost caught by the car behind me. When I stopped at a red light, the idle vibration was so severe that the whole body of the car was shaking, scaring me into pulling over immediately. The malfunction indicator light also came on, with the yellow warning flashing nonstop. The fuel consumption inexplicably increased—normally, a full tank could last 500 kilometers, but now the low-fuel warning came on before even 400. Turns out, the electronic throttle sensor was clogged with too much dust, preventing signals from being sent. This kind of stuttering issue is dangerous—losing control on the highway would be disastrous. I recommend going to a repair shop promptly for cleaning and inspection, and checking if the wiring connections are loose while you're at it. Regular maintenance prevents problems before they occur. I’ve learned my lesson and now clean the related components once a year.
My friend's car has this super annoying throttle lag issue, especially during rush hour traffic. You press the pedal but feel nothing - the car just won't move, it's maddening! Sometimes it suddenly jerks forward, giving me chills down my spine. The idle speed also fluctuates wildly - when stopping at red lights, the engine sputters like it's about to stall with unsettling knocking sounds. The dashboard warning light is glowing yellow too, with diagnostic codes pointing to electronic throttle problems. These symptoms might stem from dirty sensors or aging wiring with poor connections. Fuel consumption has skyrocketed, draining my wallet fast. City driving conditions accelerate wear - better get it checked at a professional shop ASAP to avoid breaking down on the road, saving both fuel and safety. Modified car owners should pay extra attention to component compatibility - don't just add aftermarket parts that might affect throttle responsiveness.
