What Is a Throttle Body and How Does It Work?

In a traditional spark ignition gasoline engine, the throttle body is the part of the air intake system that controls the amount of air that flows into an engine's combustion chamber. It consists of a housing unit that contains a throttle plate (butterfly valve) that rotates on a shaft.

When the accelerator (gas pedal) is pushed down, the throttle plate opens and allows air into the engine. When the gas pedal is released, the butterfly closes and effectively chokes off (throttles) air flow into the combustion chamber. This process effectively controls the speed of the engine and ultimately, the speed of the vehicle.

How It Works

Typically located between the air filter and the intake manifold, the throttle body contains the delicate throttle system which controls a key component of spark ignition: air flow. Part of the atomization process, airflow helps regulate the air-fuel mixture ratio required to ignite an engine.

The primary regulator for throttle pressure comes in the form of the throttle body temperature sensor, which measures the temperature of the air-fuel mixture entering the fuel injection system of your car. This necessary regulation helps spark ignitions generate the most fuel efficiency. 

Largely controlled by the butterfly valve known as the throttle plate, airflow is regulated by the driver via pressing on the acceleration pedal inside the vehicle. This reacts to a sensor on the throttle bottle which tells it to allow more air into the combustion chamber, increasing REM and power output. This makes the car, in turn, go faster.

Common Issues and Solutions

Like every part of a vehicle, the throttle body can eventually wear out. Very rarely, you will find yourself with an entirely broken throttle. Sometimes, however, the entire throttle system gives out and you'll have to replace the entire throttle body, but this really only happens in high mileage vehicles.

Most commonly, the throttle body temperature sensor is likely to fail first. If you do find yourself experiencing engine trouble, you may want to investigate the temperature sensor. This is especially true if your vehicle is stalling or producing poor vehicle performance.

Additionally, faulty electrical connections (including glitchy radios and dashboard panels) may be the result of a failing throttle body temperature sensor. If you experience any of these symptoms in your vehicle or your vehicle's check engine light comes on, you should visit your local mechanic for a more comprehensive diagnosis. Spotting a faulty throttle is a bit harder than most mechanical issues. 

In order to better preserve these vital parts of the ignition process, you might consider switching to biofuel, which gives less wear and tear on your engine's components. Alternatively, getting regular tune-ups and maintenance will prolong the life of your vehicle.