- Costs of Throttle Body Replacement. The average cost to replace a throttle body is about $350. ...
- Indications of Throttle Body Problems. In most cases the main indication is an engine light. ...
- FAQ. Can I drive with a bad throttle body? Generally yes, though the PCM may only allow “limp mode” operation.
How much does it cost to repair a throttle body?
The price of throttle body service will depend on the mechanic performing the job, the geographical location and make and model of the vehicle. On average, according to our research, the price of this service can range anywhere from $50 to as much as $200. Refer to the table below to see some of the quotes we had received from local mechanics.
How much should it cost to clean a throttle body?
The question is whether the service cost is worth it. RepairPal.com suggests that a throttle body cleaning costs between $226 and $290. What’s interesting to note is the price of parts: $6 to $12, the low estimate of which is about twice the cost of a can of CRC Throttle Body Cleaner at your average auto parts store.
How much to fix throttle body?
How Much Does It Cost To Fix A Throttle Body? It may cost up to $650 to replace a throttle body, depending on the manufacturer. A throttle body costs from $200 to $500, while the labor may come from $50 to $150.
When should you replace a throttle body?
Why You Should Consider Changing Your Throttle Body
- Supports high horsepower builds by reducing air restrictions
- Improves throttle response to help wake up the engine
- Older Mustangs can have carbon buildup, restricting airflow and making the throttle body stick
Is it worth replacing a throttle body?
If your vehicle has a rough idle, then it's definitely a possibility that there's a problem with the throttle body. It might have issues staying at the right point, or it might not be able to open or close past a certain point. Either way, if your vehicle has a rough idle, it's worth checking out the throttle body.
Can you drive with a bad throttle body?
You might be wondering—is it safe to drive with a bad throttle body? The quick answer is no. Once it starts to show signs of going bad or being clogged, you should address the problem right away. Otherwise the vehicle may stall or fail to accelerate, creating a safety hazard.
How much time does it take to replace a throttle body?
around an hourHow long does a throttle body replacement take? The job usually takes around an hour for either a replacement or a cleaning.
What happens when throttle body goes bad?
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.
What causes throttle body failure?
Possible causes of a malfunction One of the main causes of a malfunctioning throttle body is internal contamination. Due to the contamination accumulated in the throttle body, the throttle valve can no longer move properly, causing problems with the control of the air supply.
What does a bad throttle body sound like?
0:253:16Signs of dirty or failing throttle body in your car - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFirst most probably you may see the rpm meter going crazy more like jumping up and down with strangeMoreFirst most probably you may see the rpm meter going crazy more like jumping up and down with strange noises from the engine.
Can I replace throttle body myself?
If a scan tool is not needed then it could be done right at the location. If you have the proper mechanical skill set you can replace your throttle position sensor yourself.
What are the symptoms of a dirty throttle body?
When the throttle body gets dirty, it has a direct effect on how smoothly the engine operates. Signs indicating a problem include rough idling, jumpy or sluggish acceleration, poor fuel economy, and stalling. With the use of a throttle body cleaning product, the dirt and debris buildup are easily removed.
How much does it cost to fix an electronic throttle control system?
If it's the electronic throttle controller then the replacement cost can range from $300 to $1,500 depending on the location and time to complete the job. If it's the throttle body itself that is damaged and needs to be replaced, the costs can also be in the same neighborhood.
Can bad throttle body cause transmission problems?
The throttle position sensor is used to control the amount of gas that goes into the engine and thereby determine engine load and control vehicle speed. If it fails, it can result in automatic transmission hard-shifting issues.
Can a dirty throttle body cause reduced engine power?
When the throttle body fails or becomes dirty, it can trigger Reduced Engine Power mode. One of the most common triggers is a problem with the electronic throttle actuator control (TAC) system. Modern GM vehicles use this layout in place of a traditional, mechanical throttle body and linkage.
Can a bad throttle body cause electrical problems?
Common signs include dirt, grime, and carbon deposits on the inside of the housing, electrical problems, vacuum leaks, and a very poor or high idle.
Can bad throttle body cause transmission problems?
The throttle position sensor is used to control the amount of gas that goes into the engine and thereby determine engine load and control vehicle speed. If it fails, it can result in automatic transmission hard-shifting issues.
What are the symptoms of a bad throttle body sensor?
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Throttle Position SensorCar won't accelerate, lacks power when accelerating, or accelerates itself.Engine won't idle smoothly, idles too slowly, or stalls.Car accelerates, but won't exceed a relatively low speed, or shift up.More items...•
Can a bad throttle body cause electrical problems?
Common signs include dirt, grime, and carbon deposits on the inside of the housing, electrical problems, vacuum leaks, and a very poor or high idle.
What is a throttle body?
Throttle is a type of butterfly valve that regulates airflow as the disc rotates around its axis. The movement of the vane inside ensures that the media inside is further fed in the right amount.
What does a throttle body spacer do?
The throttle of the car is responsible for regulating the amount of air supplied to the cylinders. Therefore its work mainly affects the acceleration of the car. This can usually be found in the inlet after the air filter.
Throttle Body Problems
Most often, the dirt remaining on this part of the engine is responsible for problems with this part of the engine. Other common sources of failure include a cork motor or sensor problem. However, it is dirt that causes the wrong amount of fuel to enter the engine.
How much does a throttle body replacement cost?
If you just want to clean the throttle at a mechanic, you’ll pay $30-$50 (cost depends on the workshop chosen). However, determining the replacement price is more difficult because each car model is different, so the costs are also different.
Conclusion
A car throttle is an engine element without which it is difficult to accelerate effectively. If you notice any of the symptoms we listed, don’t underestimate the problem. You can clearly see that cleaning the throttle is much cheaper than replacing it.
How much does it cost to replace a throttle body on a 2009 Jetta?
A factory throttle body price is around $464 and an Echlin replacement part costs about $232. The total job cost is around $524 using factory parts and about $292 using aftermarket parts. For a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta with a 2.0-liter engine, the labor time is estimated at 1.4 hours.
Where is the throttle body located?
The throttle body usually bolts directly to the engine’s intake manifold. An air intake tube leads from the throttle body to the air filter housing to provide air intake. On most engines, the throttle body is on the top of the engine or otherwise easily accessed, though there are a few where the intake angles down and away;
How does a throttle body work?
On older vehicles, the throttle body is operated by a cable, but most throttle bodies on modern engines are operated electrically. A sensor on the gas pedal is read by the PCM, which tells the motor on the throttle body plate how far to open. The throttle body usually bolts directly to the engine’s intake manifold.
Why does my throttle body have a problem?
One of the common ways that a throttle body can cause problems is if the throttle plate becomes gummed up. All the air entering the engine goes past the throttle plate and a certain amount of deposits on and around the plate are inevitable.
Can a sensor be replaced?
It happens sometimes, that a sensor can test as faulty and then, it will usually have to be replaced before further diagnosis on the problem. Ideally, when something goes wrong, it is only about one thing. However, sometimes, repairs are complicated.
Can a throttle body be a failure?
Very seldom does a throttle body have an obvious failure where other things can be easily ruled out. Most of the time, a flat one-hour diagnostic charge will be additional. There are engine self-diagnostics that can set an engine light and a trouble code that points directly to a throttle body failure.
How much does a throttle body service cost?
The price of throttle body service will depend on the mechanic performing the job, the geographical location, and the make and model of the vehicle. On average, according to our research, the price of this service can range anywhere from $50 to as much as $200.
Throttle body service details
The mechanic will first scan the computer system for any codes to see if anything else is wrong with your car, aside from just needing a throttle body. This service can be scheduled as part of routine maintenance or performed when there’s an issue that you may have noticed and needs to be diagnosed.
Any extra costs to consider?
In order to save time, the mechanic will often recommend buying a new throttle body instead of fixing one that’s broken. But this decision can be costly. You’ll either pay around $200 – $1,800 for just the part alone or you may spend even more depending on the make and model of your car, as well as where you live.
Tips to remember
The check engine light is often the first sign of a failing throttle body. Other symptoms include a lack of power, poor transmission functioning, or poor car performance in general.
Is there any way to save some money?
Doing your own car maintenance saves you money and time. For instance, when it comes to cleaning the throttle body of a vehicle, one needs only to purchase an inexpensive throttle cleaner for less than $10 at their local auto supply store and then follow detailed directions they’ll find on the bottle on how best to clean this part with ease.
Is it worth replacing throttle body?
The throttle body plays a large role in controlling the fuel and air mixture in your engine. The proper mixture needs to be achieved in order for your engine to run smoothly and properly. Once this part fails, it needs replacing rather than repairing.
What happens when the throttle body goes bad?
When a throttle body is not functioning correctly, some noticeable characteristics may be poor or very low idle. This can include stalling when coming to a stop or very low idle after starting, or even stalling if the throttle is quickly pressed (resulting in the throttle body plate opening and closing very quickly).
Can you repair a throttle body?
Once the problem is identified, then a new throttle body will need to be installed on the air intake system to fix the problem. While some automotive repair shops will allow you to bring in one you’ve purchased at another retailer, HomeTowne does not install outside parts on cars.
Can you drive a car with a bad throttle body?
It is not a good idea to drive with a bad throttle position sensor. Driving your car in this condition can be dangerous because your car might not accelerate properly or could suddenly accelerate without the driver pressing the gas pedal.
Can I replace throttle body myself?
Open your hood and locate your engine’s throttle body. Remove the air intake duct at the throttle body. Remove the throttle body mounting screws and remove the throttle body assembly. Discard the old gasket and install a new gasket between the throttle body and manifold during installation.
What are the signs of a dirty throttle body?
The 7 Signs That Could Mean Your Throttle Body Needs Cleaning Grime Build Up. Poor Fuel Economy. Poor or High Idle. Uneven or Slow Acceleration. Electrical Problems. Airflow Disruptions. Check Engine Light.
How much does a throttle body cleaning cost?
RepairPal.com suggests that a throttle body cleaning costs between $226 and $290. What’s interesting to note is the price of parts: $6 to $12, the low estimate of which is about twice the cost of a can of CRC Throttle Body Cleaner at your average auto parts store.
How do mechanics replace throttle body?
How do mechanics replace the throttle body? The engine cover is removed, if necessary. The flexible rubber snorkel from the air filter housing to the throttle body is disconnected. Typically, the connection is made with a large stainless steel hose clamp. The electrical connections to the throttle body are removed.
What is a throttle body?
The throttle body is an air metering device mounted between the air filter and snorkel, and the intake plenum. Within the throttle body is a movable throttle plate whose position controls the amount of air that enters the engine to determine engine speed. Throttle body designs vary.
What happens if throttle body is not a drive by wire system?
If the throttle body is not a drive-by-wire system, the accelerator cable and cruise control cable are disconnected and set aside. The bolts retaining the throttle body to the plenum, the gasket, and the throttle body are removed.
Can a mechanic diagnose a throttle body?
It is best to let a mechanic use approved tests to diagnose the problem . Wiring faults, bad grounds, or bad terminal connections can make it appear as though an electronically controlled throttle has failed. A mechanic will always rule out all other causes before replacing the throttle body.
Can you use a spray cleaner on a throttle body?
When cleaning the throttle body, special care should be taken to use only special spray cleaners designed to not damage electrical components or sensors.
Do throttle bodies have sensors?
Many modern throttle bodies have spring loaded sensors and plastic gears that are not intended to be manipulated directly during any diagnostics or inspections. These components are controlled electronically or generate signals. It is best to let a mechanic use approved tests to diagnose the problem.
How much does it cost to clean a throttle body?
On others, it’s more practical to clean them in place. If the throttle body is cleaned using an injected solvent, the cost varies between $50 and $150. If the throttle body is cleaned manually the cost is usually half an hour of labor, or about $50.
How much does it cost to replace a throttle body on a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500?
For a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 with a 4.7 liter engine, the labor time to replace a throttle body is .6 of an hour. A factory throttle body costs about $270 , and there’s no aftermarket source currently. That makes the job about $330 using OE parts.
What is an electronic throttle body?
An electronic throttle body is basically a cylinder that intake air flows through, with a rotating plate in the middle that can open or close to allow or block airflow. It’s a part of the engine’s air intake system, sitting where the carburetor sat on older design engines. The first throttle bodies were similar in design – ...
What is the main indication of a throttle body problem?
Indications of Throttle Body Problems. In most cases the main indication is an engine light. The throttle body is a highly monitored component; it has sensors built in that inform the PCM of the throttle plate position; as with the accelerator pedal, there are two sensors for redundancy.
How much does a Beck/Arnley throttle body cost?
A factory parts costs about $1293, and a Beck/Arnley throttle body costs about $290. That makes the job about $1443 using OE parts, or about $440 using aftermarket parts. In all cases there may be a standard hour of diagnostic labor added.
What does a red light on a throttle cluster mean?
One of the warning lights on the cluster is a red lightning bolt that indicates the electronic throttle. In the same way that a red light shaped like a battery indicates an alternator problem, the red lightning bolt doesn’t make a lot of sense, ...
Can a throttle body be shut off?
Sometimes a vehicle can be shut off and restarted, which put s it back into normal operating mode as long as a problem doesn’t recur. Other that a warning light being on, a common indication of a throttle body problem can be a rough or unstable idle.
How much does it cost to replace a throttle body?
The average throttle body replacement cost is between $250 and $650, depending on the car model and labor costs. The throttle body cost between $200 and $500, while the labor cost is around $50 and $150. The throttle body can be differently priced depending on different vehicles, models, and the manufacturing company.
What is a throttle body?
The throttle body is an important mechanical component found in fuel injected vehicles that controls and regulates the amount of air flowing into the engine. When the throttle body is in its appropriate condition, the engine receives an ideal air and fuel ratio and offers optimum performance. However, when the throttle body is damaged, ...
Why is my RPM so high?
High RPM Idle. The throttle body controls the engine’s idle to make sure it is always holding a steady RPM. If there is a problem with the throttle body, it may cause the be way too high. A not calibrated throttle body can also cause this. You can calibrate the throttle body with most diagnostic scanners.
What is the function of a throttle body?
The throttle body’s core function is to regulate and control the amount of air allowed to enter the engine. The input data is sensed from the driver’s pressure on the accelerator pedal of the vehicle. Consequently, more fuel is allowed to enter the internal combustion engine ...
What happens if the throttle body is not properly air cooled?
If the engine is not receiving proper air supply due to a damaged throttle body, the engine will suffer , and as a result, the driver would experience a drop in performance.
How many throttle bodies are there in a car?
There is only one throttle body in most vehicles, with a rare exception of special, larger vehicles. The function of the throttle body is also dependent on other parts, such as the air filter.
Where is the throttle body located?
Throttle Body Location. The throttle body is most often located on the intake manifold at the big hose from the turbocharger or air filter . Usually, aluminum is used for the manufacture of the throttle body. The location of the throttle body can be a little different for different vehicles. However, according to the throttle body’s purpose, it ...
Best practices
Your technician may recommend cleaning the throttle body or programming the powertrain control module before replacing the throttle body.
Common symptoms
Throttle body and electronic throttle body issues can result in the engine stalling, failing to start, warning lights on the instrument cluster, and hesitation or power surging on acceleration.
Common misdiagnoses
The throttle position sensor is often blamed for throttle body issues, and care should be taken with electronic throttle bodies to ensure the accelerator pedal is not the faulty component.
