Hassle - Free Throttle Cleaning: A Comprehensive Guide
by
wangruihan
11 Apr 2025
When it comes to vehicle maintenance, cleaning the throttle, also known as the air gate, is a crucial task. However, many vehicle owners often find themselves facing challenges during this process, especially when it comes to programming the throttle after cleaning. In this article on
zulparts.com, we'll walk you through two effective methods of cleaning the throttle - one without programming and the other with programming, along with detailed programming steps for both mechanical and electronic throttles.
This method is a great option if you want to clean the throttle without going through the complexities of programming. Here's how you can do it:
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Prepare Your Tools and Materials: Gather a pair of gloves, a soft cloth, a small amount of engine oil, and a specialized throttle cleaner. It's essential not to use other cleaners like carburetor cleaner, as they may damage the throttle.
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Disconnect the Battery: Remove the negative terminal from the battery. This step is important as it helps prevent any electrical malfunctions during the cleaning process.
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Locate the Throttle: The throttle is typically positioned between the air filter and the engine cooler. Identifying its location accurately is the first step towards a successful cleaning.
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Remove the Air Hose: Using a screwdriver, carefully unscrew the air hose connected to the throttle. Be cautious during this step to avoid accidentally disconnecting other electrical connections or hoses.
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Clean the Throttle: Spray the throttle cleaner on the valve from the outside only. Let it sit for about 5 minutes to break down the dirt and grime. Then, use a cloth to wipe away the dirt. If your throttle body has a special molybdenum paint coating, be extra careful not to scratch or damage it.
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Lubricate the Throttle Valve: Apply a single drop of engine oil onto the throttle valve and wipe it off with a cotton piece. This helps keep the valve functioning smoothly.
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Reassemble the Parts: Put the air hose back in place and tighten the clamp with the same amount of force as it was originally. Then, reconnect the negative terminal of the battery.
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Test the Engine: Start the engine and let it idle for a few minutes. You'll be glad to know that after following these steps, you can drive your car without having to program the throttle.
Although this method requires more effort and time, it can result in a more thorough cleaning. Here are the steps:
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Initial Steps: The first four steps are the same as in the non - programming method. Disconnect the battery, locate the throttle, prepare the tools, and remove the air hose.
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Remove the Throttle: Remove all clamps, disconnect all electrical connectors, pipes, and hoses from the throttle. Then, take off the throttle clamps and remove the throttle from the car.
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Protect the Engine: Cover the engine cooler hole to prevent any dirt from entering while you're cleaning the throttle.
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Clean the Throttle: Apply the throttle cleaner to the surface of the throttle and use a soft cloth to remove the dirt. Also, clean the mounting base of the throttle and consider installing a new throttle face if necessary.
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Reinstall the Parts: Put all the parts back in their original places in the reverse order of disassembly. Remember to reconnect the negative terminal of the battery before finishing.
If you've chosen the method that requires programming, here's how you can program a mechanical throttle:
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Battery Disconnection: Disconnect the battery terminals and reconnect them after 15 minutes. If you've already done this during the cleaning process, you don't need to repeat it.
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Engine Start and Idle: Start the engine and let it idle for 10 minutes. Then, stop the engine for 10 seconds and restart it.
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Wait for Temperature Rise: Avoid driving the car until the operating temperature of the engine has increased.
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Drive to Stabilize: Once the temperature has risen, start driving. After covering approximately 200 kilometers, the operation of the throttle will stabilize.
Programming an electronic throttle follows a different set of steps:
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Ignition and Pedal Action: Turn the ignition key to the ON position for 3 seconds without starting the engine. Then, quickly press the gas pedal 5 consecutive times and wait for 10 seconds.
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Full - Pedal Press: Press the gas pedal all the way down for 7 - 10 seconds. During this step, the engine check light will flash rapidly, indicating that the diagnostic test mode has started.
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Memory Clear: Release the gas pedal and wait for 10 seconds. Repeat the full - pedal press step. This time, the check engine light should blink slowly, which means the memory in the electronic control unit has been cleared.
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Final Steps: Release the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition key to the off position, and then start the engine. The engine check light should be off at this point.
It's important to note that the programming steps mentioned above may not be applicable to all car models. It's always a good idea to check your car's manual for the specific programming instructions. By following these methods and steps on
zulparts.com, you'll be well - equipped to clean your throttle and keep your vehicle running smoothly.
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