The process of cleaning the throttle, or what is known as the air gate, is one of the things that many people often handle incorrectly. Although the electronic throttle can work for a long period without maintenance, it cannot dispense with preventative measures to ensure its operation for the longest possible duration without issues. It's always preferable to take these measures after every 120 thousand kilometers traveled. Throttle cleaning is one of those vital preventive procedures that must be carried out regularly. However, there might be some obstacles people face when performing this process, the most prominent of which is how to program the air gate after cleaning.
In addition to the fact that some people may use inappropriate methods and cleaners, after reading this article those obstacles will disappear and you will be able to clean the throttle body by yourselves. We will explain how you can clean the throttle body in two ways; the first one without programming, and the second one with programming, so that you can understand the differences existing in the two methods.
Method of cleaning the throttle without reprogramming
By following the steps below, you will be able to clean the throttle without having to remove it from its place:
Remove the negative terminal from the battery.
Identify the location of the air gate, noting that it is found somewhere between the air filter and the engine cooler.
You need to prepare the necessary materials for the process, including gloves, a piece of soft cloth, a small amount of engine oil, as well as a special throttle cleaner. Be careful not to use another cleaner, such as a carburetor cleaner.
Unscrew the air hose that connects to the air gate using a screwdriver.
Perform the task with utmost caution and attention to avoid any mistakes, or disconnection of electrical connections and other hoses.
Clean the gate by spraying throttle cleaner on the valve from the outside only, then leave it for 5 minutes.
Clean the dirt using a cloth, keeping in mind that some types of throttle bodies are coated with special molybdenum paint, and caution must be exercised when dealing with such types.
Apply a drop of oil onto the throttle valve, then wipe it off using a cotton piece.
And now, you have to put everything back as it was, and the first thing you need to return to its place is the air hose, then tighten the clamp with the same force it was originally tightened with.
Reconnect the negative terminal of the battery, then start the engine and let it idle for a few minutes.
Try driving the car without programming the throttle, as you do not need to program it after following the previous steps.
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Method of cleaning the throttle with programming
Cleaning the throttle body after removing it may be much better than cleaning it while still in the car, although this process requires more effort and tools, and may take longer. This is because you'll have to remove the entire assembly, and you'll also need to program the throttle to function correctly. As for the steps of this cleaning process, the first four steps are similar to the first four steps in cleaning the throttle without programming, but they differ in the subsequent steps. Because in the fifth step, you must remove all clamps, then disconnect all electrical connectors, pipes, and hoses from the air gate.
While the sixth step involves removing the throttle clamps and removing it from the car, for the seventh step, you must cover the engine cooler hole to prevent dirt from entering. In the eighth step, apply throttle cleaner to its surface, and then remove the dirt using a soft cloth. Afterwards, clean the air gate mounting base and install a new throttle face. In the final step, you must reinstall all the parts in their places in the reverse order that you followed when disassembling them. Don't forget to reconnect the negative terminal of the battery before finishing the process.
Method of Programming the Mechanical Throttle
Below, you will find the steps for programming the mechanical throttle:
Disconnect the battery terminals, then reconnect them after 15 minutes. However, if you performed this step during the throttle cleaning process, you do not need to repeat it.
Start the engine but let it idle for 10 minutes, then stop it for 10 seconds and restart it again.
Don't drive the car until the operating temperature rises.
After the temperature rises, start driving, and after covering about 200 kilometers, the air gate operation will stabilize.
Method of Programming the Electronic Throttle
Now, we will provide you with all the necessary steps to easily program the electronic throttle:
Firstly, turn the ignition key to the ON position for 3 seconds but do not start the engine.
Secondly, swiftly press down on the gas pedal, and repeat this step 5 consecutive times, then wait for a duration of 10 seconds.
Thirdly, press the gas pedal to the fullest extent possible for 7-10 seconds, and in this step, the engine check light will flash rapidly, indicating that the diagnostic test mode has started.
Fourth, release the gas pedal and wait for 10 seconds, then repeat the previous step, but this time the check engine light should blink slowly, indicating that the memory has been cleared in the electronic control unit.
Fifthly: Release the accelerator pedal and turn the ignition key to the off position, then start the engine. Here, the engine check light should be off.
Before concluding, it should be noted that the above air gate programming steps may not work for all types of cars, and it is preferred to verify the specific steps from the car's manual.
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