HOW TO RESET THE THROTTLE BODY WITH AN OBD2 SCAN TOOL? -

In this article we’ll be showing how to reset the throttle body with an OBD2 scan tool.

If you’ve cleaned or replaced the throttle body on your car, you must do a relearning or reset procedure.

Especially if you have an electrically driven throttle body like in this case (a drive-by-wire system).

Without this procedure, the car’s engine may not work properly, it may idle roughly, and the gas pedal response may be sluggish or jerky.

Doing a reset with an OBD tool is one of the easiest yet effective methods to solve this problem.

Besides this website you also have our YouTube channel, where you can see a video on this same topic but also many other car-related videos.

HOW TO RESET THE THROTTLE BODY WITH AN OBD2 SCAN TOOL?

Before we start just to mention that If you don’t have an OBD tool at hand, there are some other ways to reset a throttle body.

Click here to read an article dedicated to that topic or watch the video. There you can see some other simple ways to reset a throttle body. They are perhaps less effective but worth trying nevertheless.

1. YOU’LL NEED THE PROPER TYPE OF OBD TOOL

ob2-scan-tool-with-special-functions-xtool-d5s

First of all, know that you’ll need an OBD tool that has the option for doing a throttle body reset.

In this case, we’re using the Xtool D5S OBD tool, a very well-made and well-equipped tool that has many other useful options, such as resetting maintenance lights, headlight adjustments, electronic parking brake reset, and more.

Besides this, you have standard options like reading DTC codes, resetting the check engine light, live scans of your engine parameters, and much more.

This OBD tool is a very good example for showing how to reset the throttle body with an OBD2 scan tool.

Whatever other tool you may have, if it has the same specifications, the basic principle of doing this is the same.

If you’re interested in buying one, click here to view the Xtool official website. There you can also see their wide specter of high-quality products, both for amateurs and professionals.

To watch our video review of the D5S, click here.

2. CONNECT THE OBD TOOL TO THE CAR

how-to-reset-the-throttle-body-with-OBD2-scan-tool-connecting-to-car

Now that you have the proper OBD tool connect it and turn on the ignition.

So, do not start the engine just the ignition.

Let the OBD tool connect and then choose the special function button in the menu.

3. CHOOSE THE THROTTLE BODY RESET-RELEARN BUTTON

how-to-reset-the-throttle-body-with-OBD2-scan-tool-throttle-body-relearn-function-on-obd-scanner

Next, choose the throttle reset or relearn button.

Then choose your car’s manufacturer and let the OBD tool recognize it.

4. CHOOSE THE THROTTLE MATCHING BUTTON AND FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS

throttle-matching

Choose the throttle matching button and you’ll get a nice clear instruction on what you’re supposed to do next.

So, you’re supposed to turn on the ignition, the battery has to have at least 11,5 volts, the engine should be cleared of fault codes, you should not touch the accelerator pedal, you should turn off all electrical equipment and appliances on the car and finally the engine should be warmed up.

how-to-reset-the-throttle-body-with-OBD2-scan-tool-throttle-body-relearn-instructions

Click OK and you’ll see a menu appearing where you have to choose channels.

Every car has a specific channel for the throttle body reset.

This is an important parameter, to find what channel is meant for your car you should look on the internet for this information.

how-to-reset-the-throttle-body-with-OBD2-scan-tool-set-correct-channel — S

In case of the Fabia, on which we are showing this, the channel is type 1 (the 060 channel).

Once you’ve chosen it you’ll hear the throttle body doing the reset, it will click and buzz while doing it. This doesn’t last long, less than a minute.

throttle-body-reset

5. EXIT ALL MENUS, START THE ENGINE, AND DISCONNECT THE TOOL

rev-counter-engine-idling

Once the throttle body relearn is done exit all the menus and start the engine.

If everything is OK, the engine will start immediately. The engine should be running and idling normally.

Next, disconnect the OBD tool and best take the car for a test drive.

If the reset was successful you should immediately notice improvements like that the gas pedal response is better, the acceleration is better, and the jerky response when accelerating is gone.

CONCLUSION

As you can conclude, learning how to reset the throttle body with an OBD2 scan tool is pretty simple.

The whole relearning or reset procedure takes about 15 minutes or less provided you have the proper OBD tool.

If you don’t we always recommend buying one since it’s a one-time investment but it will soon pay off especially if you’re a fan of DIY car repairs and maintenance.

The end result of the reset (if this was the problem with the throttle body in the first place) will be a smoother drive, better overall engine performance and you may get rid of that slight hesitation and delay when you press the gas pedal.