Reasons Your Throttle Control Warning Light Illuminates in Dallas

Posted on | 24 Jul 2019 By Anita Gaal

With most vehicles today, everything is electronic. This means if you experience an issue, you will probably have a warning light on your dashboard that is illuminated. Whether it is a low tire, failing oxygen sensor, or your throttle control, everything operates independently and alerts the driver if there is a problem.

What is the Throttle Control System?

In the 1980s, emissions control and fuel economy regulations came into the spotlight. The laws regarding them became stricter. Before then, when you pushed down on the accelerator pedal, the throttle opened. This allowed air to flow to the engine where it mixed with the gas, allowing it to burn.

Once regulations were put into place, vehicle manufacturers began to use the electronic throttle control system. This system uses electronic signals instead of mechanical signals. When you push down on the accelerator, you are activating a module instead of opening the throttle. This signal is sent to a control unit that takes variables into account, which then opens the throttle. This allows for better efficiency as well as performance.

Why is the light on?

There are several issues that might have triggered the light illumination. By taking your vehicle to a certified mechanic, they will be able to diagnose the issue and get it fixed for you.

Symptoms of a Failing or Bad Throttle Control

Most issues are due to a damaged sensor or an electrical relay. The throttle control doesn’t usually go bad, but there are instances when it can fail and will need to be replaced. Below are a few symptoms of a failing or bad throttle control.

Intermittent Acceleration Issues

Since the throttle is controlled by an electrical signal, any disruption can lead to acceleration issues. This can be an inconvenience and can also be dangerous. If you are experiencing acceleration issues, your car could stall or you may not be able to get out of harm’s way fast enough. These issues can be deadly.

We do not recommend that you drive your car if you are having acceleration issues. You should have it towed to our shop to run diagnostics and get it fixed where it is safe to drive.

Hesitation

If you try to accelerate and your vehicle doesn’t respond right away, you could have a failing throttle control. There are other issues that can cause this problem so have it checked out right away.

Just as with intermittent acceleration issues, hesitation can be very serious. Don’t get yourself in a bind by driving it and having an accident. Have it towed to a trusted shop to be fixed properly.

Cannot Pick Up Speed

If you are pressing down on the throttle pedal and you cannot accelerate faster than a slow crawl, this can indicate that the electronic throttle control has failed. This is a feature that has been put in place to help protect your engine.

Changes in Your Fuel Economy

Since the throttle control regulates the air to fuel ratio, if there is a problem, it will not function properly. This can cause you to burn more gas. By keeping track of your fuel mileage, you can keep an eye out for issues.

Should You Continue to Drive Your Car

We do not recommend that you continue to drive your car if you have any of the above issues. If your throttle control is failing or has failed, there is a chance that you won’t be able to accelerate or you won’t be able to stop accelerating. Both can have deadly consequences.

Bring your car into our BBB Accredited Business and Bosch certified service center. Let our knowledgeable mechanics take a look at your issue and get it fixed right the first time.

Call Us Today

Here at Euro Automotive, we specialize in luxury European auto and repair services. Whether you are experiencing throttle control issues or are in need of repairs or routine service, we are here to help you. Many people believe that they have to take their car to a dealer to have work performed, but that is not the case. We can do it for you properly, and we can do it cheaper.

Call us today to schedule your appointment. You can reach us on 214-956-7744. You can visit us at 3421 W. Northwest Hwy. We proudly service the areas of Dallas, Garland, Arlington, and Fort Worth, TX.

Signs of a Failing Air Conditioning Compressor in Your Car in Dallas

Posted on | 8 Jul 2019 By Anita Gaal

Having the perfect driving experience is dependent on many different aspects. One of these variables is comfort. Many vehicles have been designed to ensure that they offer nothing short of the perfect driving experience. This comfort is assured through a smooth running engine, a perfect suspension system, and a fully functioning air conditioning compressor.

What is the air conditioning compressor?

The air conditioning compressor is directly responsible for ensuring that there is constant circulation of fresh air within the car. It does this by pumping refrigerant throughout the air conditioning system of the car. The refrigerant, as the name suggests, is a fluid that is tasked with absorbing heat in the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioning. The refrigerant works by absorbing heat from the air flowing into the cabin of the car before it is turned into vapor by the heat and transported back into evaporator to start the process all over again.

Causes of Air Conditioning Compressor Failure

The air conditioning compressor unit in the car can fail due to a number of reasons. Some of these reasons include:

• Deterioration of the compressor unit due to the lack of proper care and servicing is a major cause of failure. The unit will deteriorate much faster if it is not cleaned out regularly and the parts replaced periodically.
• Use of poor quality refrigerant can also cause damages and failure of the compressor in turn. In order for the compressor to function properly, the refrigerant has to be of a gaseous If the fluid cannot be compressed into a gaseous form to be passed through the compressor, and somehow fluid finds its way into the compressor, it will cause damage to the parts, such as the valves.
• Lack of proper lubrication of the air conditioning compressor can also cause the unit to fail. This is because the increased friction can easily wear down the parts and create leaks of the refrigerant. This causes the compressor to be overworked in an attempt to pump enough refrigerant through the system. When this happens over a long duration, the compressor can easily burn out.

Signs of Air Conditioning Compressor Failure

Because of the important role that the air conditioning compressor plays in ensuring that you have a constant supply of fresh air within the cabin of your car, you will most likely notice rather quickly if it develops a problem.

One of the immediate signs that you will notice is excessive hot air within the cabin of the car, even when the air conditioning unit is cranked all the way up. You may also notice that the compressor will produce loud whirring noises while it runs. These noises are as a result of breakage of the engine belt that drives the compressor.

Seizing is also likely to happen because of the compromised components within the compressor. A seized compressor will not be able to engage or disengage. Therefore, the compressor will not function.

What To Do

The only way that you can ensure that the air conditioning compressor in your car remains in perfect working condition is by sticking to a regular maintenance schedule. Through this maintenance, it will be easy to monitor the condition of the compressor and prevent any build-up of substances that may compromise the integrity of the compressor. It will also be easy to notice any faults within the compressor before they cause any extensive damage and leave the cabin of your car hot and uncomfortable.

You can also minimize the chances of compressor failure in your car by cleaning out the air filters and the coils regularly to flush out any unwanted substances that may have found their way into them. Ensuring that your compressor gets proper lubrication will also ensure that the components last longer.

If you suspect a leak in the compressor, you can seek the assistance of an experienced technician to investigate and replace parts, if necessary. They can also help you to restore the compressor in your car and ensure that you enjoy your time on the road again.

At Euro Automotive, we have helped many drivers in Dallas, Arlington, Garland, and Fort Worth, TX to get their cars back on the road in tip-top shape. We are available to serve at your convenience. Give us a call to make an appointment, and we’ll be happy to help.