In modern cars, the throttle body is an important piece of the air intake system that controls the amount of air that flows into the engine, which then burns up the fuel in the cylinders. At any point in time, for the engine to run in its optimal condition, allowing the right amount of air to enter is very essential. When the throttle body is messy, malfunctioning or clogged up, it stops the flow of air into the engine, which causes issues with performance and also sends unburnt fuel to pass through the exhaust system. Here are 7 symptoms of a bad or failing throttle body, to help you identify the issue before it is too late.
Normally when the throttle body is working correctly, it synchronizes with the fuel intake and the accelerator pedal. Press the accelerator and the flow of fuel is increased into the engine and the throttle body pulls in extra air to burn the extra fuel, allowing your vehicle to perform as it should and run smoothly.
The symptoms are as follows,
1. Lack of Power
When the throttle body is not working correctly, there is either more or less air entering into the mixture which results in a lack of power and the car is not accelerating as it should. When you press the accelerator, it should ideally allow more air to burn the excess fuel coming in, but if it is malfunctioning there won’t be enough air and because of this, there will be no surge in power.
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2. Issues while accelerating
Since there is a lack of power, the acceleration of the car will definitely have issues. The car will either have uneven acceleration or it won’t accelerate after a certain point, and both cause issues not only to the power and mileage but also to the longevity of the engine.
3. Higher or Lower Idling
When the throttle body is not operating effectively, one of the tell-tale signs is poor or low idling. This includes the engine stalling after coming to a stop, a very low idle after starting, or stalling when the accelerator pedal is pressed down rapidly. The Dirt collected causes airflow into the system to be turbulent and leads to a fluctuating idle speed.
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4. Dirt or Grime Build-up
One of the main issues why the throttle body will get clogged is due to the accumulation of dirt and grime within the part, which is also known as coking. This creates a rough surface, that disturbs the air-fuel flow and diminishes the effectiveness of your engine. Carbon deposits cause a similar problem by generating an uneven surface inside the part.
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5. Poor Mileage
The fuel economy of a car will get severely impacted by a choking throttle body. The ideal way of measuring the mileage is the full tank-to-full tank method. You first put a full tank of fuel, make a note of the odometer readings or set one of the trip meters to zero and then travel a few hundred kilometres. Fill the tank again and make a note of the total amount of fuel consumed. The distance divided by the amount of fuel consumed will give you a clear idea of your car’s mileage. If there is a variation of more than 15%, then there is a high chance that the throttle body has issues.
6. Electrical Problems
With cars becoming more dependant on sensors and electronics these days, electronic wiring acts as a nervous system. If the throttle body’s electronic sensor is covered in dirt, this will result in unnecessary corrections to the air-fuel mixture. This could put the car into a secondary power reduced mode until it gets seen by a service mechanic. For some cars which do not have this mode, there are methods like reducing power, limiting the engine rpm, etc.
7. Check Engine Light
If there is an issue with the throttle body’s performance, it will alert the electronic throttle control. This in turn illuminates the check engine light. Now there are numerous reasons why this warning lights up and a failing throttle body is only one among them. Hence it would be better if you do some manual check to see if there is dirt building up around the part.
When you consider these individual symptoms, there are a lot of reasons why they could occur. But when some or all of them occur at the same time, then it most probably would be the issue with a failing throttle body and will definitely require your immediate attention.
Cleaning the throttle body is the most common solution for this issue and it could be done by ourselves. Even then, it is always better to get it checked with an expert like the ones available in GoMechanic and continue to have a peaceful state of mind.
Let us know which other issue or solution you would like to know more about. We will be more than happy to help and guide you in the right way.
Can this also happen cause your car hasn’t been driving in months or started up
After denting and painting my car wont start at GoMechanic workshop, now I am told to take external towing service to move my car to authorized service center. No use of taking any “miles membership”.
So if something is fixable GoMechanic will do it else leave it.
HellO Mr Swamy,
This is not the type of experience, we strive for. Allow us to make it right for you. Please share your Order ID or your registered Mobile Number on gomechanicblog@gomechanic.in and we’ll get to resolve this issue ASAP!.
Possibly or check alternator and starter
My car is not accelerating well since the check engine light turn up, what should I do now?
Hey Austine!
Request you to get your car inspected at a workshop near you for the exact diagnosis
Most probably the Throttle Body needs cleaning or will need to have the Catalytic converter checked
Does it mean that all these seven symptoms will appears at same time?
No, not at all. But anyone of these symptoms can be alarming!
Please my Toyota Corolla is giving me issues. Any time i move and put it at neutral the RPM begin to rise sometimes above 1000rpm
death machine,,,take it to qualified mechanic,,,cop and whole family died in toyota,,,excellerating out of control,,google it,,toyota famouse flr this,,,prayers are with you,,be safe
It could be just that your throttle body is set to have high rpm while idling, check the screw on the throttle
Hello my 2012 mazda 6 has been having hesitation/jerky accel and now it stalls randomly even when idling. Had trans serviced and tuneup can you give me an idea of what could be happening? Thand
My vw polo tsi Automatic sometimes takes time to select gears, it has loss power and it sometime flash EPC light on cluster with warning sign error workshop! Leave vehicle only when selector level is in position P
Hey Moneke, may I know if it is a DSG or a TC automatic Polo?
Hello, my vw polo has issues when starting in the early hours of the morning. It will have a very low rev count and then cuts off. When it cuts off yhe epc and battery check lights appear. To get it going i have to step on the accelerator paddle while starting. This problem usually happens when its cold, what could be the problem.
Hey Karen
This seems to be an alarming issue. Please get your car diagnosed at a workshop near you
Does a bad THROTTLE BODY cause lagging also? My check engine light kept coming on then going off. Dealer says drop it off should I?
Hi Jerry, yes, if your check engine light is going off you should get the problem checked and rectified
Same happened to me its the throttle for sure
My Toyota Corolla is having issues with throttle, when I step on the throttle it doesn’t respond at all, what could have gone wrong please
My VW polo had the EPC and Transmission light on along with engine. It was limping and I had to to take to the ASC and they are replacing the throttle body which is costing me a bomb. Idk why people make these costly things which are not repairable ?
I have an 09 Dodge caliber. SOMETIMES when I’m going down the road at speed the car will jerk and then I won’t be able to go past 50mph. I put the pedal to the metal and there is NO response. At this point I have to turn the car off and let it sit for a few minutes and then it’s fine. Could this be the throttle body?
Hi Jesse, there are multiple things that could be the reason behind this problem. We suggest you get your car checked by an expert as sson as possible.
My 2012 Lexus is250 will start and idle fine but when I put it in gear it has no power at all and will barley move. When I unplugged the maf sensor it died does that mean that that’s what is bad or is the maf sensor good?
Hey Eric,
Visit your nearest GoMechanic workshop, or schedule a car inspection on the GoMechanic app, so that we can help you fix all your car problems.
The throttle body on my 2016 starting acting up so my husband cleaned it. It stop then started back up again so he changed it and it’s still doing the same thing. We try reprogramming it to the computer but it’s still doing the same thing
Hi Alana
We would recommend a physical detailed inspection in this case.
I’m sorry my 2016 Jeep patriot
My Polo 1.6 Comfortline doesn’t wanna start but after some few minutes it start up just fine. The battery is new
Hi, to better understand the issue we will suggest you take your car to your nearest GoMechanic Workshop, where our dedicated team of professionals will help you resolve all your car issues.
My ford focus 2007 stays at really high idle when I start it, and goes even higher
Hi Donna
You need to get your car scanned via and ECU. Please visit a workshop near you.
My Renault kwid the accerarrator is not working
Hi Lucky
Please drop your contact number so that our service experts can call you back and fix your car troubles!