What is an Electronic Throttle Body, Throttle-By-Wire, Fly-By-Wire, or Drive-By-Wire?

Electronic throttle bodies? Where’s the throttle cable? As you may already know, opening the hood in a modern car reveals systems a lot different than that of years past. As engine life has been extended and engine controls have become more complex, longer-life and higher-reliability electronic components are required. These advances in electronic components aid the power control module (PCM) to stay within the programed perimeters for the best performance and emission regulations. One of these components being the electronic throttle control (ETC) system often referred to as throttle-by-wire, fly-by-wire, drive-by-wire (DBW) or throttle actuator control (TAC). Using an array of sensors, the on-board computer system measures throttle demand then sends out a signal (electronic command) to the electronic throttle body. This computer command is to operate a servo motor controlling the throttle plate/blade or butterfly.


What seems to be the failure of the electronic throttle body is the plastic gear drive. A common problem of the throttle body bore has been a build-up of gases from the EGR and PVC systems, combined with heat causes a formation of a gummy residue. This gummy residue often restricts airflow, causing poor or hunting idle and even stalling conditions. This residue can become so built up that it causes the throttle body plate/blade to stick, striping out the gear drive in the throttle body.



We have a complete line of new electronic throttle bodies, offering a cost-effective solution for repairing failed electronic throttle bodies for many makes and models.

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