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.
Checking the throttle unit
Check whether the engine control module (ECM) has stored any diagnostic trouble codes that indicate a fault in the throttle position sensor of the throttle unit. If diagnostic trouble code ECM-9150 and/or ECM-9160 are stored, they are to be fault traced first. Otherwise, continue as follows.
Use the diagnostic trouble codes' frozen values as well as the counters, to determine the driving conditions when the problem was detected the first time and how often the problem has occurred. The values show the problem's current status and how intermittent the problem is. If the diagnostic trouble code (DTC) was stored under operating conditions that means external factors, such as low battery voltage during engine start-up, are suspected to be the cause fault-trace and remedy as necessary.
If the trouble code was stored when battery voltage was low and engine speed was close to 0 RPM when the fault occurred, it could indicate that the fault arose when the vehicle was stationary with the ignition on for a long period, thereby draining the battery, or that the fault arose due to battery voltage becoming low when the customer started the engine. This, in turn, indicates that the battery's charging status is not OK. Check the battery charge status, connections to the battery and chassis and the battery cables for contact resistance and oxidation. Remedy as necessary. Otherwise, continue as follows.
For markets where upgraded software, released during year 2006 or later, is available, the solution may be to download the upgraded software. This is because the upgraded software allows a greater range for the throttle position sensor values while at the same time requiring that both throttle position sensors' values lie outside of this range for the diagnostic trouble code to be generated.
Erase the diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs). If the trouble code recurs despite the checks/measures specified above, try replacing the throttle unit (ETM).
Remedy as necessary.
Other information
- See Identifying upgraded software ECM/ETM
- See Checking wiring and terminals
- See Throttle body (electronic throttle module (ETM)), replacing
In order for Electronic throttle module (ETM) to reset any reconfigurations as well as delete internally stored problems, the following must be performed:
- Ignition off, wait three minutes so that the main relay / system relay releases the voltage feed to, among other, Electronic throttle module (ETM).
- Then turn on the ignition and turn it off again.
- Wait another three minutes. If the electric cooling fan is running, you have to wait another two minutes after the electric cooling fan has stopped, to make sure that Electronic throttle module (ETM) has been shut off correctly.
If this is not done correctly, diagnostic trouble codes may remain even after deleting diagnostic trouble codes and any reconfiguration may remain, despite the problem being fixed.
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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.
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