Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Electronic Throttle Actuator Control (TAC)
The electronic TAC is a DC motor controlled by the PCM (requires 2 wires). There are 2 designs for the TAC, parallel and in-line. The parallel design has the motor under the bore parallel to the plate shaft. The motor housing is integrated into the main housing. The in-line design has a separate motor housing. An internal spring is used in both designs to return the throttle plate to a default position. The default position is typically a throttle angle of 7 to 8 degrees from the hard stop angle. The closed throttle plate hard stop is used to prevent the throttle from binding in the bore. This hard stop setting is not adjustable and is set to result in less airflow than the minimum engine airflow required at idle. For additional information, refer to TORQUE BASED ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (ETC) .
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.