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What is the proper way to clean the throttle body?

Tiny
NEIL2002CIVIC
  • MEMBER
  • 2010 HONDA ACCORD
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 44,000 MILES
Hi, is there a way to clean the throttle body without having to reset the computer to do the idle relearn. Honda want's an hour of labor and my scanner is not capable of this function. If I understand correctly. It is the TPS % value that is being reset. I read posts of nightmares after cleaning with the idle. I know not to push the motor open manually or while hooked up electrically. Please help me understand and do what is the correct thing to do. Thanks, Neil
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Saturday, January 16th, 2021 AT 4:43 PM

16 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
Yep, just leave the throttle body wiring connected and don't move the butterfly. this guide will help walk you through with diagrams below to show you how on your car:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/throttle-actuator-service

Check out the diagrams (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.
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Sunday, January 17th, 2021 AT 7:02 PM
Tiny
NEIL2002CIVIC
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Thanks Ken! This is the answer I was looking for. Have a great day and stay healthy!
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Monday, January 18th, 2021 AT 9:47 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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You do the same. Use 2CarPros anytime, we are here to help. Please tell a friend.
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Monday, January 18th, 2021 AT 6:42 PM
Tiny
NEIL2002CIVIC
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  • 119 POSTS
  • 2010 HONDA ACCORD
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 31,000 MILES
Hi, first there is no drivability problem. I want to clean the throttle body and do the idle relearn along with resetting the ECU. I read a couple articles and I am not sure of the proper procedure. Should I just leave it alone? I like to maintain my cars and do not mind doing it if it is needed. I used to work on cars, but have been retired for twelve years. Thanks for your time.

Neil
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Monday, January 18th, 2021 AT 6:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,573 POSTS
Here is a guide to hep you clean the throttle body and the instructions on the ECU relearn below.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/throttle-actuator-service

ECM/PCM Idle Learn Procedure

The idle learn procedure must be done so the ECM/PCM can learn the engine idle characteristics.

Do the idle learn procedure whenever you do any of these actions:

- Replace ECM/PCM.
- Reset ECM/PCM.
- Update ECM/PCM.
- Replace or clean the throttle body.
- Disassemble the engine or the transmission.

NOTE: Erasing DTCs with the HDS does not require you to do the idle learn procedure.

Procedure

1. Make sure all electrical items (A/C, audio, lights, etc.) are off.

2. Reset the ECM/PCM with the HDS.

3. Turn the ignition switch to ON (II), and wait 2 seconds.

4. Start the engine. Hold the engine speed at 3,000 rpm without load (A/T in P or N, M/T in neutral) until the radiator fan comes on, or until the engine coolant temperature reaches 194 °F (90 °C).

5. Let the engine idle for about 5 minutes with the throttle fully closed.

NOTE: If the radiator fan comes on, do not include its running time in the 5 minutes.

Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.
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Monday, January 18th, 2021 AT 6:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
NEILCIVIC2002
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
  • 2010 HONDA ACCORD
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
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Hi, can you please tell me the proper way to clean the throttle body? I read some articles they talk about removing the assembly and resetting the ECU. Is this correct? Is this procedure to be done by the dealer or can I do it myself? Thanks, Neil
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Monday, January 18th, 2021 AT 6:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
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Hello,

If you remove the throttle body without the battery connected you should be fine. Here is a guide to help you get the job done:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/throttle-actuator-service

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-throttle-body-works

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Monday, January 18th, 2021 AT 6:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
NEILCIVIC2002
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Hi Ken sorry I took so long to get back to you I need to do the idle relearn prcedure but it says I need to hook up to the Honda HDS to reset the PCM/ECM Is there a way to reset it without going to Honda. Thanks for your help Neil
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Monday, January 18th, 2021 AT 6:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
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The car will learn itself, just drive it for a while and everything should be fine.
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Monday, January 18th, 2021 AT 6:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SHADYHANNA19
  • MEMBER
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  • 2008 HONDA ACCORD
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
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I cleaned my throttle body and removed a good amount of dirt and after that I realized when I started my car the RPM's jumped to 3 and back down. RPM’s jumping up and down especially when shifting gears such as reverse to park or vice versa. Only been 3 hours though.
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Monday, January 18th, 2021 AT 6:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
94 TRANSAM
  • MECHANIC
  • 680 POSTS
Hi, thank you for using 2CarPros.

It sounds like your Idle air control solenoid is malfunctioning. Make sure it is plugged in. You can use some carburetor cleaner and give a real fast shot to the base of it to see if its leaking. If your motor speeds up when you hit it then you have a leak. Do not soak it, just a quick shot as you don't want to set your motor on fire. A 1/2 second shot it plenty. If none of that check out then I would try replacing it.

Let me know what you find, good or bad.

Rich
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Monday, January 18th, 2021 AT 6:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SHADYHANNA19
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I will try that but what about the throttle position sensor? Does that have anything to do with it?
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Monday, January 18th, 2021 AT 6:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
94 TRANSAM
  • MECHANIC
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No, The TPS would normally give different symptoms.

Rich.
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Monday, January 18th, 2021 AT 6:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HJL
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What is the proper way to access and clean the throttle body?
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Monday, January 18th, 2021 AT 6:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
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Well just remove that accordian hose and spray the throttle plate and wipe clean, but if you really want to get thorough, you can remove the TB. By the four screws but you will need to replace the gasket in there with a new one, and just clean, but its not really necessary to remove the TB.
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Monday, January 18th, 2021 AT 6:45 PM (Merged)

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