Since this is such a key part to every car’s internal system, the average cost for this repair can be quite pricey – the average electronic throttle control repair cost comes out to around $645!
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What is the electronic throttle control?
The electronic throttle control is an automobile technology that is in charge of connecting the accelerator pedal to the throttle, the mechanism by which fluid flow is managed by constriction, and is in charge of replacing a mechanical connection between two parts in the system. The typical electronic throttle control system usually consists of three main parts – the first is the accelerator pedal module, a throttle body valve that needs to be controlled by an electric motor to determine the opening and closing times, and a powertrain or engine control module.
The powertrain or engine control module is a type of electronic control unit – basically a kind of car’s computer. This mechanism is in charge of employing the correct software to figure out the necessary throttle position from data entered from other sensors in the car. The engine control unit chooses the correct software based on the information from the accelerator pedal position sensors, engine speed sensor, vehicle speed sensor, and the cruise control switches.
If the engine control unit or the electric motor are not working correctly to open the throttle valve, the total electronic throttle control repair cost will be higher than normal.
How does the electronic throttle control work
Keep in mind that unlike other systems there is no mechanical part that connects the accelerator pedal and the throttle valve with the electronic throttle control. Instead, the throttle valve position is controlled by the software in the electronic throttle control, showing how these two parts are directly linked.
However, do not think that just opening or closing the throttle valve will send the correct signal to the electronic throttle control. This can lead to inaccurate control and a loop, which will not provide the right data to the computer.
Because of this, most electronic throttle control systems use closed loop feedback systems that allow the electronic control unit to tell the specific throttle to open or close a certain amount depending on the current conditions. This allows the electronic throttle control to make the right adjustments depending on the engine power needed.
Benefits of electronic throttle control
In a vehicle, there are numerous benefits to the electronic throttle control working correctly – hence why the electronic throttle control repair cost is necessary to pay. The benefits of this system are usually underappreciated by drivers, since the aim of the car is to make the powertrain characteristics inconspicuous and seemingly automatic in the car, regardless of any other conditions like engine temperature or accessory alouds.
In addition, the electronic throttle control also works and functions to improve the ease at which the driver of the vehicle can quickly and efficiently change gears, deal with any torque changes, and be able to quickly accelerate or decelerate in any sentence. If you find that you can’t control your car correctly, then this can be the result of a much higher electronic throttle control repair cost.
Furthermore, there are reduced maintenance costs that are associated with keeping this part in good condition and reducing the overall electronic throttle control repair cost. Mechanical throttle systems are usually composed of various moving parts and mechanical properties, so they are frequently subject to extended wear and friction, causing potential to overheat. Unlike mechanical systems, the electronic throttle control system has ewere moving parts, meaning less potential for the system to overheat and a lower electronic throttle control repair cost.
Lastly, the electronic throttle control can lead to an integration of advanced driver safety features, like adaptive cruise control, brake override systems, and electronic stability control to keep your car safe and on the road in slippery and wet conditions. In addition, this type of system reacts quicker than a driver would in a situation where the tires do not have enough traction, and keep you safe and keep your car on the road.
Along with the benefits of keeping your electronic throttle working correctly by paying for the overall electronic throttle control repair cost, this mechanism is a key part in integrating various features in your car, like the stability control, traction control, cruise control, and any crash systems that require torque management.
Symptoms you need to replace the electronic throttle control
Even though this part is long lasting and plays a huge role in your system by providing many ebenefits, like any other mechanical part in your car that is in charge of numerous functions, this system can undergo damage and wear and tear as well. There are key signs and symptoms to keep an eye out for when protecting your vehicle against any further damage.
First, your vehicle might hesitate while accelerating, jerk while accelerating, or misfire when it comes to the engine. If you notice any of these symptoms or rough shifting, then this is time to look at the overall electronic throttle control repair cost.
Second, your electronic throttle control can cause you to have difficulties changing gears, whether it feels sticky, be a bit slower to change between gears, or if you have trouble getting out of a certain gear since you feel stuck. In addition, another sign of a faulty electronic throttle control are issues displaying the power characteristics. This means that your car will display uneven data or it will display data that does not make sense for the current situation.
Furthermore, if your car stalls without any apparent reason, then this is a clear sign that you need to determine how much you are going to pay for an electronic throttle control repair cost. Engine stalling can be a sign of a severe issue and can even lead to an engine replacement, so this problem needs to be escorted out as soon as possible.
An additional symptom that might indicate you need to check into the electronic throttle control repair cost is that you experience quick and unintended surges in speed while driving. This is a huge safety problem, since this can happen while you're behind another car or going around a curve, causing your car to be out of your control.
Furthermore, clear signs that you have something that needs to be looked at in your car can easily be displayed by the dashboard warning system lights. Although these lights can come on for various reasons, some lights indicate that you need to get your car checked the right way – like the check engine light. Even though this light might appear for various reasons, that can differ depending on the severity, you need to bring your car to a mechanic as soon as possible to determine the overall electronic throttle control repair cost.
Lastly, the final symptom of a faulty electronic throttle control is that there is a sharp decline in your fuel economy and your miles per gallon. If you realize that you cannot go as far in your growth the same amount of fuel as before, the this is a clear symptom that you need to bring your car to a trusted mechanic so they can tell you the overall electronic throttle control repair cost that you need to pay to keep your car running safe and at a high performing level.
What is the relearn procedure?
If you notice these symptoms in your car and you bring your car to a trusted mechanic to check out the electronic throttle control, they might have to perform a small service to keep your car running safely. A special relearn procedure could be required on some cars when parts of the electronic throttle control system are replaced or the wiring harness has become damaged, frayed, or completely disconnected.
This procedure in some cars can automatically occur every single time you turn the key in the ignition switch, but other cars, whether they be older or a manual vehicle, require a diagnostic scan tool to determine the problem or a special manual procedure.
In this case, it can be done by following these easy steps. First, you need to disconnect the vehicle battery. Next, remove the throttle controller and then replace the throttle control by determining the overall electronic throttle control repair cost. After this, the battery of your car is reconnected by the mechanic. Once this is complete, the electronic throttle system is relearned and the computer is tested. If the vehicle passes this test, the car is then road tested.
How To save money on the electronic throttle control repair cost?
As we know, some signs that your electronic throttle body is not working correctly could be the check engine light turning on your dashboard, or hesitation under acceleration, or your gears not shifting smoothly. Before you go ahead and decide you need to replace the entire electronic throttle body, you should first clean the original body to see if that helps with the issue or gets rid of any unwanted debris.
Over time, this part can easily become clogged with dirt, carbon deposits, contaminants, or other debris that can affect the ability of this part to function, preventing it from opening and closing as necessary. Some car owners who want to save money on electronic throttle control repair costs in the long run will take this as just regular maintenance.
You can easily access this part by removing the air intake hose, disconnecting any wires or hoses that are in the way, and unbolting the electronic throttle control or body from the upper intake manifold. Once you do this, or the mechanic does this for you, this would be a good time to check the throttle body gasket and do the throttle body replacement.
In addition, you should inspect the air intake system for any cracked pieces, ilke damaged or frayed rubber hoses that could potentially be leaking air into the system. Some cars might have coolant lines that are directly attached to the throttle body, so you need to ensure that these tubes are capped to prevent coolant leaks and air from entering the system.
If any of these recommendations do not fix the electronic throttle body and control issue, then you might need to just accept the fact that the electronic throttle control repair cost will be much higher than you originally thought – replacing the unit is inevitable at this point.
Sample Electronic Throttle Body Cost Prices
In order to give you an idea of how much you might spend on the total electronic throttle control repair cost, we gave you a sample of some popular cars on the market today and how much you will spend for the throttle bodies.
The least expensive option is the 2004 Ford Explorer, with the list price coming to $169, the labor time being almost 1 hour, the independent shops national average labor cost being $80, and the dealership national labor cost coming out to $104. The second least expensive choice is the Honda Civic, with the parts coming to between $52 and $156, while the labor is an average of $138 to $664, showing a huge range of pricing for the electronic throttle control repair cost of between $190 and $820.
The third least expensive option is the Honda Accord, with the total electronic throttle control repair cost between $206 to $669, with the labor between $52 and $100, and the parts between $154 and $569. The Honda CR-V total electronic throttle control repair cost comes out to $241 and $977, making it the fourth least expensive choice. The labor for this car is between $52 and $156, while the parts are between $199 and $921.
After these two options, the Ford Fusion has an average price for the electronic throttle control repair cost of between $275 and $429, with the labor between $61 and $95, and the parts between $214 and $454.
The fifth least expensive option is the 2005 Toyota Camry, with the total list price coming out to nearly $300 at $294 on average. The labor time is just over 1 hour, with the independent shop labor price coming to $110 and the dealership estimate for the labor coming to around $143.
The middle of the road options for this electronic throttle control repair cost are the 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer and the 2008 Saturn Astra. The Trailblazer total cost comes to $301, the labor time is just over 1 hour, and the independent labor cost comes to $60 and the dealerships comes out to $78 total.
The Saturn Astra total cost comes to $433, with the labor time being under 1 hour. The independent labor cost comes to $70, while the dealership estimates the national average labor cost is around $90.
The most expensive electronic throttle control repair cost for popular cars is the 2007 Toyota Camry, with the total list price coming to a whopping $550. The labor time is just over 1 hour, while the independent labor cost comes to $110 and the dealership costs come to $143.
Throttle Body Labor and Part Costs
Regarding the electronic throttle control repair cost, new and quality aftermarket replacement throttle bodies for most vehicles come between $100and $200. Prices go up from there for more specialty replacements, but fortunately, this part is not too difficult to replace in terms of labor. If you have confidence in your own abilities, you can probably cut down on the total electronic throttle control repair cost and do this yourself.