DIY: Clean your Throttle Bodies
Thanks! I will give that another try this weekend
is there anyway I can remove it?
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 421
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC
Just did a partial clean of my TB's over the weekend. Didn't take off the TB's as the bolts were too tight for my basic hex key.. (definitely need a ratchet/driver to get it off). I could tell there was a lot more gunk on the inside, but will need to save that for another day. Even with the partial clean (moving the butterflys) it was much noticeably smoother driver the next day. .and no more dipping of idle.
Registered Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 44
Likes: 1
From: Anaheim
Just because I have seen so many people asking details on the procedures you MUST perform:
ACCELERATOR PEDAL RELEASED POSITION LEARNING
THROTTLE VALVE CLOSED POSITION LEARNING
THEN you can perform
IDLE AIR VOLUME LEARNING
If you dont follow the instructions it will not be properly reset. Here are the details straight from the service manual.
ACCELERATOR PEDAL RELEASED POSITION LEARNING
ACCELERATOR PEDAL RELEASED POSITION LEARNING : Description INFOID:0000000005624633
Accelerator Pedal Released Position Learning is a function of ECM to learn the fully released position of the
accelerator pedal by monitoring the accelerator pedal position sensor output signal. It must be performed each
time the harness connector of the accelerator pedal position sensor or ECM is disconnected.
ACCELERATOR PEDAL RELEASED POSITION LEARNING : Special Repair Requirement INFOID:0000000005624634
1.START
1. Make sure that accelerator pedal is fully released.
2. Turn ignition switch ON and wait at least 2 seconds.
3. Turn ignition switch OFF and wait at least 10 seconds.
4. Turn ignition switch ON and wait at least 2 seconds.
5. Turn ignition switch OFF and wait at least 10 seconds.
THROTTLE VALVE CLOSED POSITION LEARNING
THROTTLE VALVE CLOSED POSITION LEARNING : Description INFOID:0000000005624635
Throttle Valve Closed Position Learning is a function of ECM to learn the fully closed position of the throttle
valve by monitoring the throttle position sensor output signal. It must be performed each time harness connector of electric throttle control actuator or ECM is disconnected.
THROTTLE VALVE CLOSED POSITION LEARNING : Special Repair Requirement
INFOID:0000000005624636
1.START
1. Make sure that accelerator pedal is fully released.
Revision: 2009 November 2010 G37 SedanEC-20
< BASIC INSPECTION > [VQ37VHR]
INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT
2. Turn ignition switch ON.
3. Turn ignition switch OFF and wait at least 10 seconds.
Make sure that throttle valve moves during above 10 seconds by confirming the operating sound.
IDLE AIR VOLUME LEARNING
IDLE AIR VOLUME LEARNING : Description INFOID:0000000005624637
Idle Air Volume Learning is a function of ECM to learn the idle air volume that keeps engine idle speed within
the specific range. It must be performed under the following conditions:
• Each time electric throttle control actuator or ECM is replaced.
• Each time VVEL actuator sub assembly or VVEL control module is replaced.
• Idle speed or ignition timing is out of specification.
IDLE AIR VOLUME LEARNING : Special Repair Requirement INFOID:0000000005624638
PRECONDITIONING
Make sure that all of the following conditions are satisfied.
Learning will be cancelled if any of the following conditions are missed for even a moment.
• Battery voltage: More than 12.9 V (At idle)
• Engine coolant temperature: 70 - 105°C (158 - 221°F)
• PNP switch: ON (M/T models)
• Selector lever: P or N (A/T models)
• Electric load switch: OFF
(Air conditioner, headlamp, rear window defogger)
On vehicles equipped with daytime light systems, if the parking brake is applied before the engine is
started the headlamp will not be illuminated.
• Steering wheel: Neutral (Straight-ahead position)
• Vehicle speed: Stopped
• Transmission: Warmed-up
- A/T models
• With CONSULT-III: Drive vehicle until “ATF TEMP SE 1” in “DATA MONITOR” mode of “A/T” system indicates less than 0.9 V.
• Without CONSULT-III: Drive vehicle for 10 minutes.
- M/T models
• Drive vehicle for 10 minutes.
TO PERFORM IDLE AIR VOLUME LEARNING
NOTE:
• It is better to count the time accurately with a clock.
Revision: 2009 November 2010 G37 SedanINSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT
• It is impossible to switch the diagnostic mode when an accelerator pedal position sensor circuit has
a malfunction.
1. Perform Accelerator Pedal Released Position Learning. Refer to EC-19, "ACCELERATOR PEDAL
RELEASED POSITION LEARNING : Special Repair Requirement".
2. Perform Throttle Valve Closed Position Learning. EC-19, "THROTTLE VALVE CLOSED POSITION
LEARNING : Special Repair Requirement".
3. Start engine and warm it up to normal operating temperature.
4. Turn ignition switch OFF and wait at least 10 seconds.
5. Confirm that accelerator pedal is fully released, turn ignition switch ON and wait 3 seconds.
6. Repeat the following procedure quickly five times within 5 seconds.
- Fully depress the accelerator pedal.
- Fully release the accelerator pedal.
7. Wait 7 seconds, fully depress the accelerator pedal for approx. 20 seconds until the MIL stops blinking
and illuminates.
8. Fully release the accelerator pedal within 3 seconds after the MIL illuminates.
9. Start engine and let it idle.
10. Wait 20 seconds.
ACCELERATOR PEDAL RELEASED POSITION LEARNING
THROTTLE VALVE CLOSED POSITION LEARNING
THEN you can perform
IDLE AIR VOLUME LEARNING
If you dont follow the instructions it will not be properly reset. Here are the details straight from the service manual.
ACCELERATOR PEDAL RELEASED POSITION LEARNING
ACCELERATOR PEDAL RELEASED POSITION LEARNING : Description INFOID:0000000005624633
Accelerator Pedal Released Position Learning is a function of ECM to learn the fully released position of the
accelerator pedal by monitoring the accelerator pedal position sensor output signal. It must be performed each
time the harness connector of the accelerator pedal position sensor or ECM is disconnected.
ACCELERATOR PEDAL RELEASED POSITION LEARNING : Special Repair Requirement INFOID:0000000005624634
1.START
1. Make sure that accelerator pedal is fully released.
2. Turn ignition switch ON and wait at least 2 seconds.
3. Turn ignition switch OFF and wait at least 10 seconds.
4. Turn ignition switch ON and wait at least 2 seconds.
5. Turn ignition switch OFF and wait at least 10 seconds.
THROTTLE VALVE CLOSED POSITION LEARNING
THROTTLE VALVE CLOSED POSITION LEARNING : Description INFOID:0000000005624635
Throttle Valve Closed Position Learning is a function of ECM to learn the fully closed position of the throttle
valve by monitoring the throttle position sensor output signal. It must be performed each time harness connector of electric throttle control actuator or ECM is disconnected.
THROTTLE VALVE CLOSED POSITION LEARNING : Special Repair Requirement
INFOID:0000000005624636
1.START
1. Make sure that accelerator pedal is fully released.
Revision: 2009 November 2010 G37 SedanEC-20
< BASIC INSPECTION > [VQ37VHR]
INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT
2. Turn ignition switch ON.
3. Turn ignition switch OFF and wait at least 10 seconds.
Make sure that throttle valve moves during above 10 seconds by confirming the operating sound.
IDLE AIR VOLUME LEARNING
IDLE AIR VOLUME LEARNING : Description INFOID:0000000005624637
Idle Air Volume Learning is a function of ECM to learn the idle air volume that keeps engine idle speed within
the specific range. It must be performed under the following conditions:
• Each time electric throttle control actuator or ECM is replaced.
• Each time VVEL actuator sub assembly or VVEL control module is replaced.
• Idle speed or ignition timing is out of specification.
IDLE AIR VOLUME LEARNING : Special Repair Requirement INFOID:0000000005624638
PRECONDITIONING
Make sure that all of the following conditions are satisfied.
Learning will be cancelled if any of the following conditions are missed for even a moment.
• Battery voltage: More than 12.9 V (At idle)
• Engine coolant temperature: 70 - 105°C (158 - 221°F)
• PNP switch: ON (M/T models)
• Selector lever: P or N (A/T models)
• Electric load switch: OFF
(Air conditioner, headlamp, rear window defogger)
On vehicles equipped with daytime light systems, if the parking brake is applied before the engine is
started the headlamp will not be illuminated.
• Steering wheel: Neutral (Straight-ahead position)
• Vehicle speed: Stopped
• Transmission: Warmed-up
- A/T models
• With CONSULT-III: Drive vehicle until “ATF TEMP SE 1” in “DATA MONITOR” mode of “A/T” system indicates less than 0.9 V.
• Without CONSULT-III: Drive vehicle for 10 minutes.
- M/T models
• Drive vehicle for 10 minutes.
TO PERFORM IDLE AIR VOLUME LEARNING
NOTE:
• It is better to count the time accurately with a clock.
Revision: 2009 November 2010 G37 SedanINSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT
• It is impossible to switch the diagnostic mode when an accelerator pedal position sensor circuit has
a malfunction.
1. Perform Accelerator Pedal Released Position Learning. Refer to EC-19, "ACCELERATOR PEDAL
RELEASED POSITION LEARNING : Special Repair Requirement".
2. Perform Throttle Valve Closed Position Learning. EC-19, "THROTTLE VALVE CLOSED POSITION
LEARNING : Special Repair Requirement".
3. Start engine and warm it up to normal operating temperature.
4. Turn ignition switch OFF and wait at least 10 seconds.
5. Confirm that accelerator pedal is fully released, turn ignition switch ON and wait 3 seconds.
6. Repeat the following procedure quickly five times within 5 seconds.
- Fully depress the accelerator pedal.
- Fully release the accelerator pedal.
7. Wait 7 seconds, fully depress the accelerator pedal for approx. 20 seconds until the MIL stops blinking
and illuminates.
8. Fully release the accelerator pedal within 3 seconds after the MIL illuminates.
9. Start engine and let it idle.
10. Wait 20 seconds.
What is the PNP switch?
has anyone else been able to fully reset these?
i'm dreading if not i will have to take it to the dealership...
Finally got around to cleaning my TB's among a handful of other things, man oh man what a diff in DS mode! Throttle response has greatly improved and only having 26k miles on my car my TB were absolutely filthy. Shouldnt take you more than 15 mins from beginning to end...hardest part is removing the bolts as all has stated
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Manchester, NH
I too have been meaning to do it forever....
Did it this AM, took maybe 15min as stated, and followed the above direction, removing the neg terminal cable from battery, removing the intakes and that's it.
My car has 75K miles on it, and you can see from the pics below, it didn't look as bad as some others have posted on here with far less miles. Not sure why, I do a large amount of highway driving, maybe that's better for it?? Either way, car started up fine after cleaning, and had no issues. RPM settled down after maybe 1-2 minutes and no warning lights.
Left side:
Right side:
Good luck to those that also do this, seemed easy other than the allen bolts as stated above..
BTW, I really never noticed any dropping or fluctuation of the idle...I just wanted to see for myself if they were gummed up and figured enough people had tried it to make it safe to do. Mine really didn't look that bad for 75K...
Did it this AM, took maybe 15min as stated, and followed the above direction, removing the neg terminal cable from battery, removing the intakes and that's it.
My car has 75K miles on it, and you can see from the pics below, it didn't look as bad as some others have posted on here with far less miles. Not sure why, I do a large amount of highway driving, maybe that's better for it?? Either way, car started up fine after cleaning, and had no issues. RPM settled down after maybe 1-2 minutes and no warning lights.
Left side:
Right side:
Good luck to those that also do this, seemed easy other than the allen bolts as stated above..
BTW, I really never noticed any dropping or fluctuation of the idle...I just wanted to see for myself if they were gummed up and figured enough people had tried it to make it safe to do. Mine really didn't look that bad for 75K...
Last edited by sysadlight; Jul 25, 2014 at 01:51 PM. Reason: spellcheck!
Registered Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 15
Likes: 2
I was wondering if spraying the cleaner directly on Throttle body without physically touching/moving butterfly would be a good idea? since most of the people who got some issues afterwards were moving it manually.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 76
Likes: 7
Did this yesterday, left battery plugged in and moved the valve with my finger using paper towels and cotton swabs with the TB cleaner. I never let the valves slam shut though I always guided them home. Engines purrs like a kitten and my somewhat rough idle is gone!