What are the symptoms of an electronic throttle pedal malfunction?
3 Answers
The symptoms of an electronic throttle pedal malfunction are: 1. Damage to the electronic throttle pedal; 2. The dashboard warning light will illuminate; 3. The car's throttle pedal becomes stiff and produces abnormal noises when pressed; 4. The throttle pedal does not return to its original position after being pressed; 5. Failure of the throttle pedal sensor; 6. The ECU cannot detect the throttle position. The working principle of an electronic throttle is: The electronic throttle controls the opening of the throttle valve via cables or wiring harnesses to achieve automatic control functionality. It replaces the traditional throttle cable or linkage with wiring harnesses or wires, installing a miniature motor at the throttle valve to drive the throttle opening. This is known as drive-by-wire, where wires replace the original mechanical transmission mechanism.
Last time I went on a road trip, the electronic accelerator pedal malfunctioned. When I pressed it, it felt mushy and the car just didn't respond, as if it was stuck. Sometimes there was a delay of several seconds when accelerating, like the car was contemplating life; occasionally it would suddenly lurch forward, giving me a cold sweat. During inspection, it was found that the pedal sensor had failed and the wiring connector was loose. Never delay fixing such issues, as they can easily cause the car to stall midway or enter limp mode, compromising safety. I immediately took it to a repair shop to replace the part, and now I've developed a habit of lightly pressing the pedal a few times to test its sensitivity before driving. If you encounter flashing warning lights or poor acceleration while driving, these are warning signs—get it checked at a professional shop right away.
Common symptoms of electronic throttle failures in the workshop: No response when pressing the throttle at startup, with delayed power output; or the pedal feeling inconsistently light or heavy, causing the car to jerk during acceleration or deceleration. The system often illuminates warning lights, such as the engine warning light, prompting a check. In severe cases, the car may enter limp mode, limiting speed. This is caused by interrupted sensor signals or unstable voltage, with wire corrosion also being a common issue. It is recommended that drivers use a diagnostic tool to read error codes as soon as they notice throttle abnormalities to determine if it's a sensor or wiring harness problem. Avoid self-disassembly to prevent accidental damage to the ECU. Regular maintenance should include cleaning the pedal area to reduce dust accumulation and prevent minor issues.
