Your car’s throttle body (or just throttle body) does one thing and one thing only–it controls the amount of air entering your engine. When this crucial piece of your car’s anatomy is going bad, it can lead to a range of issues that could cost you big-time money in repair costs if you don’t catch them quickly. These are some signs that your car’s throttle body is going bad, so pay attention and get it fixed immediately!
Throttle Body Explained
The throttle body is a valve that is part of the car’s intake manifold responsible for the amount of air entering the combustion chamber. The amount of air allowed in is critically important to the function and performance of the engine. The car Engine Control Unit (ECU) sends signals to the throttle body that controls how much air enters the engine. The ECU is constantly adjusting this mixture of fuel and air-based on input from several sensors. If the throttle body malfunctions, your car will eventually stop running.
Pulsating Idle
One of the most common signs of poor throttle body performance is unusual idle. Typically, you will notice very low idle or even engine stalls while idling. This usually happens over time when dirt or grime builds up on the throttle body, blocking the flow of air.
Check Engine Light is On
The car’s ECU monitors the car’s emissions through a series of O2 sensors to determine if the fuel/air mixture is correct. If insufficient air is getting to the intake manifold, the car’s ECU will display an error code which will cause the check engine light to come on. If this is the case, bring your vehicle to your mechanic to get the issue diagnosed and fixed before more severe damage occurs.
Poor Acceleration
Poor acceleration is a very common sign of something wrong with your car’s throttle body. For example, fuel/air mixtures that are too rich, as is standard with throttle body problems, will not burn correctly, causing poor acceleration. Likewise, uneven acceleration in which the car will only accelerate to a certain point is a tell-tale sign of throttle body problems.
If you suspect your car’s throttle body is malfunctioning, consult your mechanic to have the problem diagnosed. Throttle body repair can typically be handled without much trouble if caught before too long. But then, see your car care professional today to get your car’s engine running as it should.