Have you ever had a scenario where your BMW feels like it is jerking or the gas pedal seems unresponsive? If so, you should check whether the car has a throttle body problem. Carbon can build up in the throttle bodies and make it fail, meaning you can get stuck and even experience some frustrating driveability issues. Thankfully, some steps can be taken to clean up or fix the throttle body in your BMW, before deciding to replace the costly part. Keep reading for information on how to diagnose BMW’s throttle body issues and what steps you need to take to resolve the problem.
What Is A Throttle Body?
The throttle body is one of the most important components of your BMW’s engine system. It regulates the quantity of air that mixes with fuel and supplies it to the engine, depending on the amount of pressure by the accelerator pedal. When pressure is applied to the accelerator pedal, the throttle body socket opens to allow more air to be mixed with fuel to produce the power needed to accelerate the car. To get a good driving experience, an automobile has to have a well-functioning throttle body to enable it to be responsive.
It is rare to find many BMW cars today with a conventional link between the gas pedal and the throttle bodies, as most have gone electronic. Instead, they use sensors to read your pedal position and signal the throttle body to open or close. Although this arrangement of your car’s response provides more smoothness, it also results in issues as the parts deteriorate with time.
How To Diagnosis BMW Throttle Body Issues
- Use an OBD-II Scanner: With an OBD-II scanner, you can diagnose throttle body issues by checking out trouble codes from your car’s computer. Diagnostic trouble codes applicable to the throttle body include P2111 (Throttle Actuator Control System Stuck Open) or P2112 (Throttle Actuator Control System Stuck Closed) and can lead you straight to the problem. If you don’t have an OBD-II scanner, you will have to take your BMW to a reputable mechanic for the check to be done.
- Visual Inspection: Pop the hood and look at the throttle body. If you find any dirt or accumulation on the surface, that might be the reason for its failure. It is possible to clean a dirty throttle body, but if the buildup is extremely thick, a replacement will be necessary.
- Check Electrical Connections: One of the things you need to do when diagnosing your BMW is to check if the wiring connections of the vehicle’s electronic throttle body are well connected. Broken or disconnected wires may interfere with signals from the gas pedal to the throttle body.
How To Repair A Throttle Body
- Clean the Throttle Body: If dirt and debris are the culprits of your throttle body problems, then you can clean it to get rid of the issue. A throttle body cleaner is also recommended to help you clean build-up. Remember not to scrub the material too hard, as it may damage some of the fragile parts that make up the device.
- Replace the Throttle Body: There are occasions when the throttle body is largely corroded and cannot be cleaned further. If that is the case, then the only solution is to replace the throttle body. This is a complex repair and requires a lot of expertise, so it is advisable to leave this to a mechanic or a car’s specialized technician.
- Reset the Throttle Position Sensor: If the problem is electronic, the throttle position sensor can be reset to help fix the problem in the throttle body. A mechanic can reset this for you, but if it is faulty, the sensor should be replaced.
Contact Heynneman European for Throttle Body Repairs in San Rafael
If you are having problems with the throttle body on your BMW, do not procrastinate in getting it fixed. Here at Heynneman European, we are knowledgeable about how to diagnose and fix throttle body issues. Our highly skilled technicians are capable of meeting all your BMW’s needs to make it drive as smoothly as possible. Based in San Rafael, CA, we also cater to people from Mill Valley, San Anselmo, Kentfield, Corte, Larkspur, and Fairfax, CA. Don’t wait any longer, book an appointment with us now.