What Does The Lightning Bolt Mean On A Car?
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Many indicators might appear on your dashboard, from a circle with an exclamation point to a check engine symbol. It can be overwhelming to interpret these if you have no idea what you’re looking at. One symbol is a lightning bolt. You might wonder - what does the lightning bolt mean on a car? What is it telling you?
If you’re interested in learning more about the lightning bolt symbol on your vehicle, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn more about what a lightning bolt means on a car, the symptoms of a faulty ETC, whether you can drive with the electric throttle control light, and other things you should know about the symbol.
What Does the Lightning Bolt Mean on A Car?
What does the lightning bolt mean on a car? According to vehiclefreak.com, a lightning bolt on a vehicle reveals an issue with the electronic throttle control. There are several components in this system, and a lightning bolt means any of them could have fallen behind.
Items that could have broken in the ETC include the following:
- Throttle body
- Throttle position sensor
- Throttle pedal
- Actuator
These all play a vital role in your car.
Your electronic throttle control oversees connecting the accelerator pedal to the throttle in your vehicle. It replaces a mechanical linkage, transferring vital servo instructions to the electronic throttle system.
Symptoms of a Faulty ETC
Of course, a lightning bolt on your dash isn’t usually the first sign of an issue with the electronic throttle control. There are other things you can look for that will reveal the fault before this sign shows up as a lightning bolt on your dashboard.
According to vehiclefreak.com, common symptoms of an issue with the ETC include the following:
- Speed fluctuation when cruising
- Rough idling
- Engaged “limp mode”
- Misfiring engine
- Engine stalling at stop lights
- Issues starting the engine
- Inconsistency with acceleration
These may reveal you have an issue with your ETC.
If you notice any of these signs together, it could mean you have an issue appearing in the electronic throttle control. The sooner you act, the less likely your repair will be expensive.
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Can You Drive with The Electric Throttle Control Light On?
It’s possible to drive with the electronic throttle control light on, but it isn’t recommended. If it comes on while you’re on the road, you may go further for a short distance safely. However, you shouldn’t go beyond that to remain safe.
The electronic throttle control light handles air and fuel passing through the motor. If you drive for too long, it could lead to damage to your car and potentially dangerous driving conditions for anyone behind the wheel.
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How Do I Fix My Electronic Throttle Control?
When thinking about the question - what does the lightning bolt mean on a car - you might wonder, how do you fix your electronic throttle control? Most of the time, a professional mechanic is the person who should address the fault. If you have mechanical experience, you will work on it yourself.
To fix your electronic throttle control, you might need to do the following:
- Replace a faulty sensor
- Repair trouble with the pedal linkage for throttle position module
- Fix the butterfly valve
Some of these fixes can be almost $700 on average
Your best option is to take your car to a mechanic if you see the lightning bolt. They will effectively scan your machine and determine the trouble while setting a price, allowing you to get your car back as soon as possible.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Throttle Control?
It isn’t cheap to address any mechanical issue in your vehicle, and the throttle control is no different. There is a large range of prices depending on what part of your throttle control falls apart and causes the failure.
According to jdpower.com, it can cost anything from $70-$1,000 to repair a throttle control system in your vehicle. The lower costs typically deal with minor sensor or mechanical replacement, while repairs costing $1,000 could require an entire system replacement in the shop.
You must consider part costs, labor, and diagnostic fees. Keep savings aside to ensure you’re ready for unexpected moments like these.
What Causes Throttle Control Failure?
When considering the question - what does the lightning bolt mean on a car - it’s helpful to know what causes throttle control failure in a vehicle. If you take care of your car, this failure should be rare. However, some breakdowns are due to wear and tear, and other components can fall apart thanks to something out of your control.
According to yourmechanic.com, most causes of throttle control failure are electric, resulting from one of the following items:
- Damaged sensor
- Electrical relay
These could lead to the failure of the throttle control in the system.
Some cars are more vulnerable to electrical troubles than others. It’s a good idea to research your vehicle ahead of time to determine if electrical failure is a common fault of the year you’re investing in on the market. If you can purchase a different year, go for that version instead.
How to Prevent Throttle Control Failure?
To prevent throttle control failure, consider the following measures:
- Adhere to the manufacturer’s recommended service intervals for throttle body cleaning and inspection to remove dirt, debris, or carbon buildup that could cause throttle plate issues.
- Regularly inspect the wiring harness and connections within the ETC system to identify and repair or replace any damaged wires or loose connectors, preventing communication disruptions.
- Ensure proper battery health by regularly testing and replacing the battery when necessary to maintain stable voltage levels and prevent voltage drops that could affect ETC system performance.
- Pay attention to warning signs, such as sluggish throttle response, sudden acceleration, or the check engine light illuminating, to detect potential throttle control issues early on.
- If any symptoms occur, have the vehicle diagnosed and repaired by a qualified mechanic to prevent further damage and ensure the safe operation of the throttle control system.
- When replacing parts within the ETC system, consider using high-quality aftermarket sensors and components to ensure proper compatibility and performance.
- Avoid making unnecessary modifications to the vehicle’s throttle control system, which can disrupt its calibration and lead to potential failures.
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Final Thoughts
If you notice a lightning bolt on your dashboard, it’s indicating there is trouble with the electronic throttle control. Other indicators of this issue include a misfiring engine, an engine stalling at stop lights, inconsistency with acceleration, and other signs. You can drive with the lightning bolt on the dash, but it isn’t recommended.
We hope this information was helpful! It’s a good idea to be aware of all indicator lights in your system so you can act on them as soon as they appear. The faster you take your vehicle to a professional, the less money you will spend in the long-term repairing your car and restoring any errors that have appeared during its lifetime.
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