How much does it cost to fix electronic throttle control

Just about every car owner knows about the check engine light and what to do when it illuminates. Can the same be said about the Electronic Throttle Control Light?

Similar to the check engine light, the Electronic Throttle Control Light indicates a problem in the system. So, what is an Electronic Throttle Control Light? What does it mean and how to fix it?

• What does it do?
• What might you experience when it illuminates
• Why does it illuminate?
• How to fix it
• How to reset the light?

Almost every part of your car is there to serve a purpose. Without it, your car will malfunction. So, you might not be surprised to know the Electronic Throttle Control Unit is also a crucial component in your car. The unit is often referred to as the ETC. So, what does the ETC do?

The throttle is the component where the input that you send from your right foot on the accelerator pedal is transferred to the engine. The system behind this is quite complicated. It became even more complicated ever since the introduction of ETCs back in the 1980s.

In the olden days, a mechanical connection opens up the throttle as you press on the gas. The harder you press, the more the throttle opens up. This brings in more air and burns more fuel. The increase in energy that is produced propels your car to move faster.

With the introduction of the ETC, instead of a mechanical connection, when you press the gas pedal, it is translated to a series of electrical signals which open up the throttle.

The electrical signals that are generated when you press the gas are sent to a component called an ‘accelerator pedal module’.

The sensors in the module read the signals and react accordingly. Usually, there are 2 sensors here to keep the accuracy and reliability. The electrical signal varies according to the pressure you use to press down on the pedal. 

The signals that are sent from the accelerator pedal can be sent to a few different places.  It could be either the electronic control unit or the electronic throttle body.

Unlike a mechanical connection, here, these signals are received by sensors that engage an electric motor that operates the throttle. This makes up the entire Electronic Throttle Control Unit.

Why Do We Need An Electric Throttle Control Unit?

If something is working why would you change it. Can the same be said about the ETC? The mechanical unit was working just fine until the 1980s. So, why did we change into an electrical system? What are the benefits that we get through an electric system that we cannot get from a mechanical unit?

First off, you need to look at the maintenance aspect. The old unit has a lot of moving parts. When there are moving parts, maintenance requirements like lubrication and issues like wear starts to pop up. With the ETC, you do not need regular maintenance.

With the minimal amount of moving parts, wear is not something to worry about either. 

Next, the ETC is far more accurate and safe. With a mechanical unit, failures are more common. Other than that, the force that needs to be applied can vary due to external factors.

For example, if you have a heavier load than usual, then the force you need to send to the pedal also increases. Meaning, the pedal causes more resistance due to external factors. That is not an issue with the ETC.

Finally, as technology develops, we witness a number of conveniences. The ETC is a part of that. This electric unit paved the path for the development of cruise control and adaptive cruise.

With these, you can control the throttle from your onboard computer. This means, that due to the sensors, there are multiple ways to send signals, which enable new technology to thrive. 

What Would You Notice If The Electronic Throttle Control Light Is On?

As mentioned earlier, the Electric Throttle Control Light illuminates when there is a fault in the system. So, what does this mean? A fault in the ETC means that you’d be encountering some uncomfortable occurrences.

Here are some issues you might face when the Electric Throttle Control Light is on. 

Engine Stall

Engine stalling is a common symptom. This might be caused by a variety of reasons. Usually, it is associated with the power train. But the ETC can also cause your car to stall. So before you point your finger at the power train, consider other options like the ETC.

So, how can you be certain? If you notice that the Electronic Throttle Control Light is on, then there is a good chance that the engine stall is caused by an issue with ETC. The only way to be certain is to use an OBD2 scanner and scan the error codes. This will indicate the cause of the issue.

Check Engine Light

The check engine light indicates that something is wrong with your engine. Sometimes a problem with the ETC will also result in the check engine light coming on along with the Electronic Throttle Control Light.

Usually, when there is an error with the ETC, it has a major effect on the engine. So, you might see that the check engine light is flashing. 

Again, there is no way to pinpoint the problem without further analysis. For this, you need to pull out on OBD2 scanner and find the error codes.

Rough Idling

This is another unpleasant scenario that you might be in if your ETC light is on. When the throttle is varying, your engine might idle at either high or low RPMs. Sometimes the RPM during idle might be just fine, but you might see it suddenly surge or stagger. 

This is a clear indicator that there is an issue with the throttle. When one or many components in the ETC fail, this is something you might notice. 

Reduced Fuel Efficiency

The throttle has a direct impact on the combustion taking place inside the engine. A bad ETC will result in issues with combustion. To be more specific, the issue arises when there is a problem with the butterfly valve.

This is the valve that controls the air intake. It might send in more air than necessary. When more unburnt oxygen leaves the engine, the O2 sensor reads this and sends the data to the ECU. With this information, the ECU starts to send more fuel to the engine.

Since there is already more oxygen, the fuel mix might completely ignite. When more fuel ignites, the performance will increase. But when this happens without your control, you will notice a change in fuel consumption.

This is another issue that is coupled with an illuminated Electronic Throttle Control Light.

Sudden Surges In Acceleration

This is one of the worst things to encounter. Knowing this might make you reconsider ignoring the Electronic Throttle Control Light. When the ETC fails, it might control the throttle without your input. 

Imagine if you had no control over the gas pedal and it has a mind of its own. You do not know when it can go crazy and surge forward. A car that you cannot control could be hazardous.

Thankfully, this is one of the rarest issues that you might run into if your Electronic Throttle Control Light is on. The ETC has a built-in failsafe mode to prevent this from happening. Still, this is not an issue that is unheard of.

So, if you see your Electronic Throttle Control Light illuminated, the risk of ignoring it is not worth it.

Why Does The Electronic Throttle Control Light Illuminate

We already know that when the Electronic Throttle control light illuminates, there is something wrong with the ETC. But what is the exact component that has failed? 

The ETC is made up of numerous parts. So, with the light alone we cannot precisely find out the component that has failed. Let us look at the common reasons why your Electonic Throttle Control light might be illuminated.

Damaged Wires

An electrical system uses multiple wires in order to transport its signals. Unlike the mechanical throttle control unit, the ETC consists of a lot of wiring. Damaged wiring starts to interfere with the conduction of the wires.

This means that the sensors won’t be able to send the data that it gets to the control unit.

All the wires from the sensors run to the Electronic Throttle Body. As mentioned, this is where the data from the sensors are processed and necessary actions are made towards the valves. Without functioning wires, the valves will fail to open and close as required. Thus affecting the throttle.

Clogged Butterfly Valve

We already looked at the function of the butterfly valve. Just as a reminder, the butterfly valve is the path of the air intake. As it opens and closes, the required amount of air enters the engine.

With time, this valve gets clogged. There are multiple possible causes for a clog. Usually, it is either dirt and debris or carbon build-up. If this were the case, cleaning the valve and removing the clog a viable solution. 

Faulty Throttle Position Sensor

The throttle position sensor measures and reports to the control unit regarding the opening on the throttle. Thus allowing the control unit to know about the air intake.

When the sensor is faulty, it could send false information to the control unit. The computer that is in control makes decisions based on the information that it gets from the throttle position sensor. With false information, the throttle might not open and close as needed. Sometimes it could cease to function totally.

Damaged Throttle Body

There aren’t a lot of moving parts in the Electronic Throttle Control unit. The few moving parts that are present, reside inside the throttle body. Whenever moving parts are involved, damage and wear are possible threats. 

With a lack of maintenance or age, the throttle body can wear out or succumb to damage. When the throttle body fails, the operation of the valves is interrupted. 

How To Fix The Electronic Throttle Control Unit?

The ETC is a unit that doesn’t fail regularly. Often, the throttle control unit will last longer than the car. It is not a common repair job that you have to do in your car.

On some rare occasions, the Electronic Throttle Control unit does fail. There are many components that make up the unit. Repairing electrical components in your car is much more complicated than repairing mechanical components.

The best option is to take your car to a mechanic and get it checked when the Electronic Throttle Control Light illuminates. 

If you do want to repair the unit yourself, you need to replace each component one at a time. Start by replacing the wires. Then try cleaning the butterfly valve. Replacing the butterfly valve is not necessary.

Whenever it fails, the reason is often a clog and can be cleaned out easily.

If these options don’t work, you need to think about replacing the sensors. There are multiple sensors that are used in the ETC unit. If the problem is still present, your best option is to replace the entire Electronic Throttle Control unit.

Replacing The Throttle Control Unit

Replacing an Electronic Throttle Control unit is not cheap. Whether you do it yourself or seek professional help, you’d have to pay a hefty price.

To be honest, this is a repair that is best to be left for the professionals. The repair procedure is not hard, nor does it take a lot of time. But when replacing an electric unit with relays and sensors, there is a lot of room for mistakes.

Compared to the cost of parts, the labor cost is quite negligible. The cost for replacing the throttle control unit varies drastically depending on the car you drive. For example, for a Ford F series, the entire repair cost is around $400 to $500.

On the other hand, if you own a Toyota Corolla, the repair cost could be around $1000. The price is significantly higher if you own a luxury car. 

The average cost of replacing a throttle control unit is $645. From this price tag, less than $150 is spent on labor. Usually, the labor cost for this repair is less than $100.

How To Reset Electronic Throttle Control Light

Sometimes, you might have a doubt that the throttle control light is illuminated because of a malfunction. Maybe there is nothing wrong with the system, and the light is just a false alarm. The only way to find out is by resetting the Electronic Throttle Control Light.

If it lights up again, you can get your car checked. So, how to reset the Electronic Throttle Control Light.

You can run a process called relearning. Relearning is a process where you reset the software and the programming of the ETC. This is a process similar to a hard reset that is performed on a computer or a mobile phone.

Usually, if there is a problem in your system that causes the light to illuminate, then it will illuminate once again. So, there are no guarantees that this would work.

Process

The process cannot be done if your check engine light is on. Before you proceed, make sure that your check engine light is not on. Connect an OBD2 scanner and check for error codes. If you see error codes, then you need to fix the errors first.

Perform an inspection of the engine and its hoses. Make sure that there is no vacuum leak. Check the PCV system and the engine oil levels. 

If everything is in order, now you can disconnect the battery. Leave the battery disconnected for about 30 seconds. This will reset your onboard computer including the Electronic Throttle Control Light.

The time that you need to keep the battery disconnected varies from vehicle to vehicle. Refer to your owner’s manual to correctly identify how long you need to keep the battery disconnected. 

Manual Method

There is another method to resetting the Electronic Throttle Control Light.

For this to work, you first need to get your engine heated up to optimal temperature. Drive around for a while allowing the engine to heat up. Turn off all your electric accessories such as the radio, AC, and heater. 

Without stepping foot on the accelerator, keep the car on ignition for 2 seconds without starting the engine. Now, turn the ignition off for about 10 seconds. Repeat the procedure 4 to 5 times.

Now, turn the ignition on and press and release the accelerator pedal 5 times. Do this within 5 seconds. Wait for 7 seconds and press the accelerator all the way for 20 seconds. The check engine light will stop blinking and stay solid. 

Now turn the engine on and leave it on idle. Try revving it to check the throttle. If it didn’t work, wait for a minute and try again.

FAQs

Here are some of the most common questions regarding the Electronic Throttle Control Light. 

How Much Does It Cost To Replace The Electrical Throttle Control Unit?

The replacement cost depends on the type of car you own. Depending on it the cost could be anywhere between $500 and $1500. Usually, the cost is at the lower end of that spectrum. The average cost is $645. 

How Long Does The Electrical Throttle Control Unit Last?

The electronic throttle control unit is made to last a lifetime. Often, it lasts longer than the car itself. To put a number on it, it will last more than a decade. In some rare cases, the throttle control unit fails prematurely. 

How To Maintain An Electric Throttle Control Unit?

Usually, electrical units do not need a lot of maintenance compared to mechanical units. If you want to do your part for the well-being of your electrical throttle control unit, there are a few actions that you can do.

The air intake inlet starts to accumulate dirt and debris with time. This happens if the filter is unable to do its job. This clogs the system. This affects the functionality of the butterfly valve. This can easily be cleaned using a toothbrush or a solvent. 

Instead of replacing the whole module, if you keep tabs on individual components of the electric throttle unit, you can replace the individual component when they fail. Often check the wires and sensors. If they are damaged, replace them as needed.

What Does The Throttle Control Light Look Like?

There are multiple warning lights in your dash. Sometimes, it is hard to keep track of the light. The throttle control light looks like a lightning bolt and has parenthesis on each side. 

Can You Drive With The Throttle Control Light On?

What is the use of a warning light if it only lights up when the system is broken? The throttle control light is an early warning. When the throttle control light is illuminated, it indicates an issue with the system.

Though you are still able to drive, try to make it short. Get the problem fixed as soon as possible. 

What Benefits Does An Electrical Throttle Control Unit Offer?

The ETC unit offers many benefits over a traditional mechanical unit. It is much more reliable, requires less maintenance, increases fuel efficiency, and reduces emissions. Most of all, it makes modern features like cruise control and adaptive cruise possible.

Conclusion

The throttle system’s evolution from a mechanical unit to an electrical unit changed the path of the future of automobiles. It proves to be much more beneficial than a mechanical unit. Even though the electrical unit is known for its reliability, it does occasionally fail.

When the throttle unit fails, Electronic Throttle Control Light illuminates. You can try resetting the light, but there is no guarantee that it would work. If the unit is actually damaged, the light will come back on. This means that you need to spend on repairs. 

For more car tips, here are some other posts you may check out:

How To Reset The Throttle Position Sensor In a Toyota

How to Reset the Throttle Position Sensor in a Honda

How to Reset the Throttle Position Sensor in a Chevy

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Can you drive with electronic throttle control light on?

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