TA003 Toyota and Lexus Reference

Subject: Throttle body cleaning and throttle-stop screw adjustment for

fuel-injected engines
Symptom: Hesitation, rough idle, or hard starting
Source: Toyota service manuals
Figure TA003-1 shows a Toyota throttle body and the locations for applying carburetor spray
cleaner.

z To remove varnish, or “coking”, from the throttle body:

1. Remove the intake air duct from
the throttle body.
2. Disconnect the throttle linkage
from the throttle body.
3. Disconnect the throttle position
(TP) sensor connector.
4. Remove throttle body from the
manifold. Note locations of
different length bolts.
5. Disconnect the upper vacuum
lines, but leave the coolant and
other lower hoses attached to the
throttle body for most
installations. If equipped with
thermo-wax valve, be sure to
plug air bypass holes inside the
throttle body before cleaning.
6. Use a good quality carburetor Figure TA003-1
choke spray cleaner and apply
the cleaner in both directions through the throttle body. Be sure to remove all varnish
deposits. Open the throttle fully and be sure to clean the lower edge of the throttle plate
through the rear of the throttle body.
7. Use a clean, lint-free cloth, as needed, to wipe residue from the throttle body.
8. To check the cleaning, open the throttle completely and let it snap closed. Then open the
throttle lightly and check for a sticking throttle plate or binding shaft. If the throttle plate still
sticks, repeat the cleaning operation to remove any remaining deposits.
9. Reinstall the throttle body and reconnect the linkage, the TP sensor, and the air duct. Be
sure that different length bolts are installed in the correct locations. Do not overtighten
bolts in the aluminum intake manifold.
Figure TA003-2 shows a typical throttle-stop screw location below the throttle bell crank,
toward the cable bracket. The screw is sealed at the factory with tamper-resistant yellow
paint.

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TA003 Toyota and Lexus Reference

Figure TA003-2

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