I'm having my Neutral Safety Switch replaced this week; while my car is in the shop, I'm having the Throttle Body cleaned. Is there any risk in cleaning the throttle body, in relation to the throttle position sensor? I'm not that mechanically inclined, so forgive me if that is a stupid question LOL.

 

Not a stupid question in my opinion.

I resist the temptation to spray solvent cleaners merrily in these, as the TPS is directly below the housing, and gravity will have solvent running in that direction. Whilst most survive a clean, some do not, so if yours is running OK, dont tempt fate, wipe it out with a solvent soaked cloth.

It may take a few wipes, and mechanics HATE that, they are always looking for the short cut, so be very specific with your request.

I use a white rag, liberally soaked in "Carby/Throttle body cleaner", and have had no side effects with car, sniffing the fumes is scary HAHAHA.

 

Thanks Grant, when I talk to my mechanic today, I think I'll just ask him about taking the throttle body off completely to clean it well. He said it had a lot of buildup, which is probably normal for a car with 150k miles.

 

if the t-body is removed, I think you'll need a new gasket as well, you may want to have him order one ahead of time.

I have never removed my t-body to clean it... are they fairy simple and straight forward to remove and install?

 

No idea on these. had heaps of V12 ones off, simple as.

I have always had mine clean up good as new with simply wiping it out. These solvents are savage on that muck, it is what it is designed to clean, but as I said, the real heavy stuff may require a re-wipe, or 2.

Messing with that TPS on the US market cars tends to lead to all sorts of other issues, or so I have read on here.

 

Mechanic still has car, but I asked him today how he will clean the throttle body; said he's going to take if off and use some spray fogger thing, clean it well.. then replace the o-ring and put the throttle body back on.

 

So, had my throttle body cleaned today.. and wow what a difference... so smooth now.. more power and runs like a new one.

 

That is good news.

 

i used electronic cleaner spray from radio shack

 

I cleaned my throttle body about a week ago using the solvent soaked rag (throttle body/carb cleaner) as far as I could reach, which is to say an inch or so beyond the butterfly valve. There was a bit of a crud ring where the valve closes. I sprayed beyond the valve with the engine on and my hand on the throttle to keep the car from stalling.

No issues with the TPS a week later. Throttle performance improvement is noticeable.