nightkrawler

hi, i have a 99a4 1.8t q ndbw. can someone explain to me exactly what a throttle body alignment is/does, and can it be done without a vag tool on a non dbw car. thanks

Kris Hansen

Even the nDBW cars have a throttle drive motor for idle control. The TPS tells the ECU where the butterfly is, so it knows how to work the stepper motor that opens the throttle butterfly.

To do this without a VAG COM, just turn the ignition to run, and leave it for at least 30 seconds before starting the engine.

nightkrawler

so all i have to do is turn the ignition all the way to run, but not actually start the car, and this will start the tba. how do you know when it is complete? and then what, start the car?

DDQ

You'll hear it "whirring". After a minute, start car, don't touch the gas, idle for 3 mintues, done

nightkrawler

i just tried the tba, i turned the key all the way, and waited like a minute. i was in the drivers seat, i didn't hear anything moving or the butterfly opening etc. does this process make any noise or display anything on the instrument cluster? please bear with my ignorance. thanks

nightkrawler

i poped the hood, turned on the key and within 15 seconds the motor starting wirring for maybe 5-8 sec then it stopped i waited a little longer, then started the car and left it idle, its idleing now. then i assume you just shut it off. does this sound like a successful procedure?
also, why does one perform a tba? maintenence? thanks.

DDQ

Most common reason to do it is when swithing ECU's, or after you disconnect the battery.

nightkrawler

cool, thanks guys.