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.