Electronic throttle control message may appear during starting car and go off when idle. But if you notice a service electronic throttle control warning message on your car dashboard during driving, it’s a concerning issue.
Service electronic throttle control light indicates something wrong with the parts of the throttle control system including the sensor, accelerator, or valve. If so you may struggle to drive at higher speed or struggle to accelerate properly. In this case, you can reset the error code or troubleshoot the throttle system to find and fix the underlying issue.
Article Summary
- What Does Service Electronic Throttle Control Mean?
- Why Does Service Electronic Throttle Control Message Blink And How To Fix It?
- What Happens When An Electronic Throttle Body Goes Bad?
- How To Reset Service Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light Message?
- Is it Safe To Drive With A Service Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light?
- How Much Does it Cost To Fix Service Electronic Throttle Control?
- FAQs
What Does Service Electronic Throttle Control Mean?
Electronic throttle control sensor in a car controls the engine’s throttle opening. The ECU requires a certain airflow at a certain RPM at a specific throttle position. So the ETC( electronic throttle control) warning light on the dashboard indicates that there is an issue with the components of the throttle system such as the sensor, throttle valve, or wiring.
False reading by the bad sensor or dirty or clogged throttle body can also trigger this warning light. The ETC warning light also brings some signs including poor acceleration, reduced power, and drivability issues.
If you notice this warning light, clean the throttle body, check the PCV hose, and make sure all the connections are in good condition to remove the code. you may also need to check the air filter, MAF sensor, accelerator pedal, and throttle plate as these can trigger the warning light.
Why Does Service Electronic Throttle Control Message Blink And How To Fix It?
Electronic throttle control is a complex system and plenty of issues can trigger the warning light. below are some obvious reasons:
Electric Throttle Body Failure
If the electric throttle body fails, your car will show a service electronic throttle control warning light. It can also activate limp mode and cause power reduction. So you won’t be able to pass 60 mph and lose the accelerator. At a stop, the idle may also be high, like 1400 rpm.
In this case, you have to replace the whole throttle body and perform relearn calibration to remove the warning light. You can also clear the error message by disconnecting and reconnecting the error message as a temporary solution.
Poor Electrical Connection
The electrical connection between the throttle and gas pedal can get lost or worn out and prevent the pedal from delivering a proper signal to the ECU. Poor electrical connection can disconnect electronic throttle position sensor and ECU contact.
To fix this problem, check the electrical connection and make sure there is no corrosion or loose parts.
Stumbling
A bad throttle control can cause erratic operation of the system and stumbling during acceleration. It can trigger the warning light and cause major safety risks. In the worst conditions, the throttle control can get stuck and cause road accidents.
If you lose control of acceleration and show warning lights, park the car in a safe place and tow it to the mechanic shop.
Damaged Sensor
ECU controls the throttle system through the electric signal of the sensor. If the sensor gets damaged or malfunctions, ECU won’t get the right information and can activate the error light.
For example, the accelerator pedal position sensor detects the accelerator pedal position and delivers information to the ECU. If the faulty sensor doesn’t deliver the right data, ECU will activate the warning light and set the trouble code.
The faulty sensor can also affect the acceleration and cause loss of control on throttle control. If so, you will need to check the sensor and replace it if it gets damaged completely.
Wiring Problem
There is a lot of wiring connected to the throttle body, sensor, and ECU. If any of the wiring gets loose or worn out, ECU can turn the warning message on.
Bad Engine Control Module
Sometimes faulty ECU can also activate the service electronic throttle control warning light. Since it is difficult to inspect an ECU, you should hire an expert mechanic to diagnose the ECU and fix the issue.
What Happens When An Electronic Throttle Body Goes Bad?
A faulty throttle body can cause these consequences:
Poor Or High Idle
A damaged electronic throttle body can cause poor or low idle. So the engine can stall after coming to a stop or low idle after turning on. The engine can also stall after pressing down the throttle rapidly.
Airflow Disruptions
Dirt buildup in the system may cause unstable airflow and lead to variable idle speed. It can also cause pressure issues in the throttle body or an incorrectly adjusted throttle stop. If the electronic throttle control gets uneven airflow, you can experience poor acceleration during driving.
Electrical problems
If the electronic throttle control gets damaged, the electrical connection will deliver intermittent or inaccurate information and unpredictable signals to the car computer. It can cause faulty correction to the air and fuel mixture. So you can experience misfires. Misfire can also occur due to a weak spark from the spark plug.
Limp Mode
The car usually has two variable resistors connected to the throttle butterfly. One goes from 0 to +5V and the other goes from +5V to 0 at a time. The computer compares these two readings continuously to make sure that the electronic throttle body is working perfectly.
But if the throttle body fails, the computer won’t read correctly and can activate limp mode. So your engine speed will be very limited and the transmission will be stuck in second gear. Your car won’t run if the throttle body fails.
Worn-Out Butterfly Valve
The throttle body contains a butterfly valve that helps to regulate airflow inside the combustion chamber. Butterfly valves can be worn out or get in bad shape due to grime, dust, and carbon particles building up in the throttle body and causing improper throttle calibration.
How To Reset Service Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light Message?
If you notice the warning light and struggle to drive at a higher speed or your car is stuck in third gear, follow these tricks to reset the error light:
- Turn off the car
- Start the vehicle on the auxiliary
- Push down the gas pedal and release
- Turn off the car
- Start the engine
The service electronic throttle control warning light should disappear after three drive cycles particularly if the freaked-out throttle triggered it.
Is it Safe To Drive With A Service Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light?
You shouldn’t continue driving with a service electronic throttle control warning light as it isn’t safe. If you ignore the warning light, you will experience inconsistent acceleration. Your vehicle may struggle to increase speed or accelerate randomly to make your driving hazardous.
Faulty electronic throttle control can increase fuel consumption and impact the environment significantly. If the warning light comes out due to a failed ETC, the engine can shut down completely during driving. So you can have a serious accident particularly if driving in changing traffic conditions.
How Much Does it Cost To Fix Service Electronic Throttle Control?
On average, it costs $509 to $634 to fix service throttle control warning lights. However, the accurate cost varies depending on the car model and the reason for the service electronic throttle control warning light. For example, the service electronic throttle control fixing cost for a BMW is around $719 to $882 while a Mercury car may cost about $511 to $692.
Mechanics can charge around $825 to $1390 to fix the warning light on Mercedes while they can cost around $1230 to $1295 to fix the issue on Mitsubishi. Service electronic throttle control on Mazda ranges from $1160 to $1200 while it is $500 to $750 for Lexus.
FAQs
What Are The Signs Of A Bad Throttle Body in Your Car?
Some common symptoms of the electronic throttle body in the car are delayed throttle response to acceleration and popping sound during increasing speed. bad throttle body can also cause high idle speed rotation or prevent the engine from rev speed. it can also trigger some trouble codes like P0122 and P0121.
Does Cleaning The Throttle Body Remove The Service Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light?
If the dirty throttle body triggers the error light, you can clean it to remove the light from the dashboard. To do so find the throttle body in the engine bay, remove the air duct, and spray down the throttle body. Then wipe it down, dry it for 10 minutes, and re-install the duct.
Can You Drive Without Electronic Throttle Control?
If you remove electronic throttle control from the car you can experience unexpected acceleration. The inconsistent acceleration can make it highly risky to drive the car.
Final Words
Service electronic throttle control warning light is a serious problem particularly when it is related to the accelerator. So if you notice this warning light while driving and struggle to control the car or acceleration, carefully drive it to the nearest mechanic shop. Check the whole throttle control system including the sensor, valve, and electrical connection, and repair or replace the faulty parts.
