what the hell is a "throttle position adjustment" on my car's computer?

[bettyellen]

and how bad is the car dealer going to screw me on this?
i think i have to take it to a volkswagen dealer. they are going to lie to me and try to screw me out of $700. that's their magic number, the bastards.
i hate this shit.
grrrrr.
:nuke:

[In_The_Wind]

1. sorry to hear you're having car problems

I quit working on my own cars when they became computerized so I can't answer your question.

[bettyellen]

2. that's the f'ing problem

computers. it sucks.
at least it's not the transmisssion.

[In_The_Wind]

15. some days I just plain give up

however the problems don't go away

but sometimes saying that tomorrow's another day is the best I can do ... the world won't come to an end:shrug:



I'm sure the problem is more pressing for you

[bettyellen]

23. i hate this shit. i cannot go there and be a dummy.

i'll get screwed. grrrrr.

[In_The_Wind]

24. even when I know what I'm talking about some mechanics act like

I'm a dummy that pisses me off so damn much when it happens that I don't go back there

[punpirate]

3. Are you referring to a part, or an adjustment of a part?

There's often a throttle position sensor, which then sends a variable voltage signal to the engine computer according to the position of the throttle. I suppose it's possible to adjust them (some older types could be), but that should be a fairly simple matter--a few minutes labor. Replacing the part would require a bit more time, perhaps a half-hour, plus the part cost.

For either operation, $700 sounds far too high. This is a part which should be in the neighborhood of $200-250, tops, and perhaps $40-50 labor.

[bettyellen]

6. he said that sensor needs computer adjustment.....

i'm figuring they will say it needs replacemennt.
somehow, they always add on shit. they're notorious.
and thanks.

[punpirate]

13. Give me the model...

... and the engine size. I'll see what I can find about it.

Cheers.

[bettyellen]

20. VW Cabrio 99

and it's not the turbo, just the regular cheepo engine.
it keeps pulling back when i want to do over 25 mph. i don't know if i can take it on a hiway, and i'm having a bitch of a time finding a place close to here that isn't a dealer.
i'm near jersey city, nj.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

4. The dealer will definitely charge more than an independent mechanic

can you find one that specializes in VW and get an estimate? I only go to dealers for recalls.

[bettyellen]

5. i'm looking, but it's a vw computer djustment. :shrug:

believe me, if i can find someone else to do it i will.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

7. Some mechanics have the software to adjust the computer

they have to buy it from VW. Too bad you don't live near me-there's a great VW guy about a mile from here. :-)

[bettyellen]

10. good, i'll keep looking.

thanks, Kathy.
:hi:

[Trillo]

8. I'm not up on all the latest auto computers, nor volkswagon systems,

but way back in 1986 on another brand vehicle, there is/was something called a throttle position sensor, and it's mechanically adjustable. Basicially the sensor is a potentiometer that changes its resistance in relation to the throttle opening, sending a resistance-modified voltage back to the computer.

[bettyellen]

9. this one is controlled by the computer.

same idea though.
:hi:
thanks

[bucknaked]

11. Fuel-injected cars have a sensor on the throttle body called a TPS.

Stands for throttle position sensor. Basically, it's a sensor connected to the throttle that tells the computer how hard you're stepping on the gas, and the computer sprays fuel into the engine, accordingly.

I'm not familiar with VW motors and their fuel delivery systems, but I know that on my Ford, replacing the sensor costs about $9-15, and adjusting it only requires a cheap volt-meter from Radio Shack.

Could be a whole different ball of wax with VW though. Wish I could be of more help.

Good luck!

[bettyellen]

12. i'm screwed because my regular guy can't fix it.

he has the diagnostic computer, but not the thing to adjust my cars computer.
bwahhhh

[sendero]

14. Are you sure it said ...

... "throttle position adjustment"?

If you have AutoZone stores in your area they will run a scan on it, print out the codes and the most likely offending part (if they have it or can order it).

Of course, I don't expect you to break out the tools and install it.

Really, your best bet is to find an independent mechanic. The dealer is going to run up charges every time, especially now when auto sales are not doing that well.

Sure, it's a risk - but this doesn't sound like a particulary serious problem. It is either the TPS (throttle position sensor) or perhaps the Idle Control Valve (especially if you've noticed the idle speed being unstable) or something else associated with the idle conrol system.

If you've noticed nothing at all wrong with the car and the only reason you are looking is the Check Engine light came on, disconnect the battery cable one night when you're done driving and reconnect it the next day. That will sometimes reset the code and the light, but of course if the malfunction is detected again, the light will come back on.


That's not a really complex high-cost system. It could be worse, late model VWs are notorius for having bad MAS (Mass Airflow Sensors) and repair of that would cost more than $700 :)

[bettyellen]

16. they said throttle position sensor needs to be adjusted

and that they only had the diagnostic computer. not the thing to adjust mine.
does that make sense?
and btw, thanks :)

[bettyellen]

17. the car pulls back , like a reverse lurching

when i hit about 25 ph or 20 rpms. it's a standard shift.
it has had a lot of little frakey electrical problems since i had a new door put on.
last week, my battery died and all the meter spun in circles. the guy who fixed the door denied it had anything to do with what he did. he aid my battery terminals were cruddy. it's been bad. grrrr.

[punpirate]

19. Was the door replaced because of accident damage?

If so, did any of these odd symptoms begin before the door was replaced, or only afterwards?

Cheers.

[bettyellen]

21. yeh, an eighteen wheeler ripped my door off. + all these things

started happening 2 days after i got it back from them.

[punpirate]

29. I would call your insurance agent...

... and ask about hidden damage provisions in your policy. Just looking at this from the standpoint of cause and effect, the problems are either related to the repairs, or to damage that was not detected by the adjuster when the accident damage was estimated. My guess would be the latter, because the door itself (even with power windows and locks) doesn't have anything to do with the circuits controlling the dash and the engine or the engine computer. But, it's possible there was some shock damage to some components from the impact.

Now, as far as VW is concerned, in looking around, it seems that the engine management system on the Cabrio is software-controlled. The controller uses a software program that's correct for that model and engine and is likely loaded into flash memory.

Maybe when the car was repaired, or as a result of the accident or loss of battery power, the program might have been lost. So, the repair shop loads the standard program into the flash memory, drives the car around the block and says, everything's fine. What VW is telling you, I think, is that the program in your car's engine computer needs to know the actual voltages produced when the throttle position sensor is at idle, and fully open, and how fast the voltage drops as the throttle moves. Then those figures are rewritten to the program in flash memory in your car's computer. That's why your regular mechanic says he doesn't have the equipment to do it. He probably has a code scanner and can see a code for the TPS being out of range, or out of adjustment, but can't rewrite the computer's chip.

So the actual TPS range is written to the software in your car's engine computer, and if that doesn't solve the problem, they replace the TPS and recalibrate.

Certainly, better independent shops in the NYC/northern NJ metro area would have the equipment to fix this, and at a somewhat lower cost than the dealer. What I would suggest is to go to the newsgroup:

rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled

introduce yourself, give the model of the car, briefly describe the problem, and then ask if anyone can recommend a good independent shop in the NYC/northern NJ metro area. You'll likely find a goodly number of very knowledgeable people who can give you lots of information on the problem and good shops in the area.

Cheers. Hope that helps.

[bettyellen]

25. thAnks PP.

my locAl bAr hAs yellow pAges, i Am going to see if i cAn get some locAl listings.
google keeps pissing me off by sending me to VW deAlers.
you're A reAl doll.
:hug:

[sendero]

26. Yeah..

.... that is probably the TPS.

That should not be an expensive repair unless you take it to the dealer. A lot of dealers just basically have a number that they like. If they can't make your problem cost that number, they find some other "serious problems" so that can get that number. The number is often around 700 to 800 $$$.

Any half-assed mechanic can install a TPS, it's not a big deal...

[Dave Reynolds]

18. A throttle position sensor,

in the case of my older vehicle, was a $24 dollar part and two screws to replace.

[bettyellen]

22. damn.

i doubt i'm getting off that easy.
:hi:

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

27. it sounds filthy

positively filthy

[bettyellen]

28. :X

[jmowreader]

30. Fuel injection is a fairly clean job

That's because most of it (except the O2 sensors, which are bolted into your exhaust manifold) is on top of the engine and all the schmutz is on the bottom of it.

[Redstone]

31. This is a problem that goes WAY back in VWs...

I had it go bad on my 1991 Jetta years ago, to the tune of $300.00.

Get rid of the car, and don't buy another Volkswagen. VW hasn't made a reliable vehicle in at least ten years. And Audi is just as bad.

Redstone