Just like other parts of an engine, the throttle position sensor can go bad. When this happens, the sensor will start malfunctioning or not work at all.
A bad throttle position makes it difficult to change gears, the car may have a mind of its own and driving becomes difficult. Although it is not advisable to drive with a bad throttle sensor, how long can you drive when it is bad?
You do not have a long distance to drive if the throttle position sensor is bad.
Can You Drive with a Bad Throttle Position Sensor?
Yes, you can drive with a bad throttle position sensor although it is not advisable to do so.
A throttle position sensor is responsible for monitoring the air intake into the engine. If anything were to go wrong with it, some parts of the engine will be affected and their performance hindered.
If you are driving with a bad throttle position sensor, you are only putting yourself and other road users at risk of an accident because the car may at any time accelerate without your stepping on the gas.
How Long Can You Drive with a Bad Throttle Position Sensor?
The distance for which you can drive with a bad throttle position sensor depends on the severity of the problem.
However, irrespective of the problem’s severity, you can’t drive with a bad throttle position sensor for long because of the dangers of doing so.
Usually, the only time you should drive a car with a bad throttle position sensor is when you are taking it for a repair, therefore, it is safe to say you can drive for as long as it takes you to get to an auto shop.
What Happens if you Drive with a Bad Throttle Position Sensor?
When a car’s throttle position is bad and the car is driven, a number of things could happen, such as;
- It will be difficult to change gears
- Accelerating becomes difficult. The car may develop a mind of its own by accelerating itself or not accelerating at all.
- Driving becomes difficult as the engine will start stalling or idling unnecessarily
- It can damage the car
- You may end up spending lots of money on repairs and replacement
How Do I Know When Throttle Position Sensor Goes Bad?
Let’s take a look at some of the signs of a bad throttle position sensor. These signs are what will tell you that the sensor has gone bad.
1. Check Engine Light On
When the throttle position sensor goes bad, the check engine light on the dashboard will come on. This is a warning light and an indicator that something is wrong somewhere in the car that needs to be checked out and fixed. The warning light will usually go off once the problem is fixed.
2. Engine Idling at Intervals
A bad throttle position sensor will cause a fluctuation in the airflow which will in turn cause the engine to idle at intervals.
The engine idling can also be accompanied by stalling and misfiring when driving. If you notice this, the car should be taken to an auto shop immediately.
3. The Car Accelerating on its Own
A car also tends to have a mind of its own in that the engine can shut off or the car accelerates by itself without stepping on the gas when the throttle position sensor goes bad. This will happen because the engine has little or no power.
4. Excessive Fuel Consumption
A bad throttle position sensor will result in excessive fuel consumption.
All sensors in the car work together to ensure the car works perfectly, if one sensor like the throttle position sensor were to go bad the other sensors will start working unusually in order to compensate for the lack of airflow.
By compensating for the lack of airflow, more fuel will be consumed than usual.
Can a Bad Throttle Position Sensor Prevent Car from Starting?
Yes, a bad throttle position sensor can prevent a car from starting.
A car’s throttle body will not function well when the throttle position sensor is bad. One of two things may happen, it is either it doesn’t close properly or it stays shut.
If the latter were to happen the car will not start because there is no air coming in. On the other hand, if the throttle doesn’t close properly too much air will be let in.
Best Solution to a Bad Throttle Position Sensor
Knowing what to do when a throttle position sensor is bad may be hard for some while others already know what to do. Irrespective of the category you fall into, here are some solutions to a bad throttle position sensor:
Reprogramming
When a throttle position sensor is bad, the solution may be as easy as reprogramming or resetting it.
To reprogram the sensor, you will have to unhook the battery (negative cable) for at least 5 minutes.
If you are not sure of your abilities to remove the cable, don’t go close as removing the wrong cable can cause serious problems in the engine.
Removing the battery should be enough to clear the error code if that is why the sensor isn’t working well otherwise you may need professional software to reprogram the sensor.
Repairing
If the wiring on the throttle position sensor is loose or faulty, all that may be required repairing.
Reprogramming the sensor will not work if there is an electrical problem that needs fixing, you should also check to know if the problem has anything to do with the electrical works in the sensor before getting a new one.
Replacement
In the event that the throttle is completely damaged or broken you will have no option but to get a new one.
A broken sensor cannot be repaired or reprogrammed, all you need to do is get a replacement which should be done by a professional.
A wrong connection during replacement can cause the sensor not to work and cause further damage to the car.
Conclusion
Once the solution to the bad throttle position sensor has been determined you must ensure that a professional does the repairing and replacement if necessary, except of course you have the knowledge to do a good job.