Throttle Problems on a Chevy Impala

I had problems with the throttle on my 2006 Chevy Impala LT Sedan over the past four months. After getting it replaced, I decided to take it apart and see what the problem was.

[@1989green]

An update on the Impala: it's 217K miles and going strong!

[@hardleecure]

so from what i can see. the TPS and throttle actuator are the same part?

[@1989green]

hardleecure I thought I would check this out as I was not sure at the time. The TPS is a sensor which informed the computer about the rate of the throttle opening and its relative throttle position. It is a resistor that changes resistance as the throttle opens up. I believe it was the black plug you saw. The throttle actuator is the motor on the body of the throttle. It tells the engine how to proceed through its RPM range. When it goes out, it may tell the throttle to stay open the entire time which can mess up the fuel mixture, causing your engine to sputter. Regardless, the TPS and the actuator are equally important to your car. I'm thinking when I pointed out the motor as faulty, it is because the actuator might have been bad.

[@mmsoulmm]

I need your help i have a 2007 chevy impala

[@loriweatherly7784]

Has anyone had an unintended acceleration happen with their 2003 Impala?

[@enriqueorellana214]

Yes when it's on Park or neutral.. I'm trying the pedal sensor and throttle body next

[@BiggBoss41]

thanks for the detailed information it really helped me to better understand the throttle body issues. keep it up.

[@grizfox]

I have an SS. You have to buy a brand new throttle body because the tb and the sensor doesn't separate

[@johnathancee4754]

i have a 2005 impala at 255,000 ive replaced almost all sensors! the electronic system now acting up and its revving irratic now im tired of taking this car to the mechanic im done i have a long history with this car but i just dont got patience anymore more repairs. now im looking into toyotas unfortunately

[@1989green]

An update on the Impala: it's now 217K miles and going strong!

[@1989green]

An update on the Impala: it's now 217K miles and going strong!

[@jeremiahschaefer9771]

Possibly the terminal that came outta the sensor which is stuck on the terminal

[@cashoutloskee]

My 07 impala has 235k miles and it stalls at 20 mph & when i hit the gas to accelerate my Rpms go up til i take foot off the gas do you think its my throttle body ?

[@heffedirte6243]

I would guess it was the plug part that was on the prong after you took it apart. Bad connection lol

[@laquanmickey3981]

Will the throttle body make your car shut off when in drive or reverse

[@abud512]

laquan Mickey i think so because my car is shutting off on drive and reverse

[@DaveNanan]

Seems like these damn sensors are designed go bad after a while.

[@erin19030]

The truth is the problem is programed into the main on board computer to trigger each time you reset the oil change readout. I've had the same problem several times and merely reset the codes. Once the throttle pedal potentiometer failed and I replace the whole pedal assembly. I've got 170 k miles on my Impala and going strong except for a few minor oil leaks. Oil is cheap. However thanks for the story. I will file your experience in memory.

[@nolansump7014]

Cosimo Kramarawicz on average I had my oil changed around 7000 miles.

[@evanmanochio]

Bought an 06 impala lt about a year ago ive had the throttle postioning sensor replaced twice by my mechanic. Service traction control system and check engine lights still come on with power to the engine being decreased. The car has even stalled on 4 seperate occasions. Im looking for a permanent cost effective fix. Any and all advice is appreciated.

[@americanmayhem9673]

Evan M what do the codes read

[@evanmanochio]

AmericanMayhem IG- mr.mayhem i have to take it to AutoZone and have them hook up the code reader. Some days the car runs great, like surprisingly great. Majority of the time though when I start the car two messages appear on the dash, engine power reduced and service traction control

[@mrhelp7078]

Try replacing the gas pedal

[@surpriseboxinc]

It's an unfortunate problem with chevy vehicles. I am currently replacing my throttle body because of the same rough idle and stalling issues

[@jesset6574]

Your right cleaning it make no softener and if you want to replace the electric your better off getting the complete assembly

[@urielmascorro4943]

@1989green How much was the part and labor cost that solved your car's problem?

[@adamcorria1647]

Yep sounds like it did the normal crap out and why electric throttle bodies are a horrible idea.

[@CANDYPAINTJAYOHIO]

1989 green, what size engine do you have? I think these parts are crap!hate the electronic throttle...07 lt,,, 175,000

[@1989green]

Jroc Pierce It is a 3.5L V6 engine.

[@jaunnava1814]

Thank for share!!!

[@katiemeeks6796]

We replaced throttle body on 2007 impala 3.5 6 cylinder and now it won't start. It cranks up but never turns over. Any comments ?

[@Vllivin13]

Check ur power train relay. It's a fuse.

[@Ron-h4l]

Hi how are the Impala cars do they last or do they have lots of problems when starting getting into 100K mark.

[@Vagabor123]

They suck. I have a 2007 impala SS and nothing but problems since i got it

[@ginpok6640]

I have a 2007 Malibu with v6 3.5L engine with 118k miles and it's been the best car I've ever owned. (I believe it's the same engine on the Impala.)

[@joelgarza7416]

Cmdr Dumbass smh but true

[@busterjohnson3437]

2006 impala ltz almost 200k engines are bullet proof, electronics are not

[@erin19030]

Stop changing your oil so much.

[@ginpok6640]

Great video! Thanks for easy to follow trial and error troubleshooting.

[@mlez7197]

Great video ,i just think that the TPS its on the black plastic cover is defective

[@GL0BALMGMT]

🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@camarobossman]

o great thanks so much

[@reddog9401]

just replace it,and get it over with

[@joejip5457]

Every situation is unique you should know that. Without history it's easy to say it's just broke but what is the problem and come on man what ever go to sleep

[@darthrevan.gaming327]

I have a problem with my impala. The car doesn't start right away (have to crank it twice) and sometimes it feels like the engine is running rough.

[@nolansump7014]

There are a couple of things you could do if you haven't already. You could take it to a dealership or an auto parts store and see if they can run a diagnostic on it by hooking a computer up to it. That could tell you if it's a throttle issue. Are there any indicator lights lit up? If not, it might be your converter or low compression if you have rough idle out on the highway. I went to a transmission shop last March and had a guy plug in a computer to the car and had me drive it for a few miles. Turned out piston 5 has below average compression when accelerating, but not enough that it's a major issue (that was 13K miles ago). My car's up to about 220K at this point and still going strong for the most part.

[@darthrevan.gaming327]

No engine light on I'll go to a part store and do a scan. It runs fine in the highway its just when it first starts and while on a complete stop.

[@313MALIK7453]

How’s the impala now

[@nolansump7014]

I sold it and don't have it anymore.

[@wendellworth353]

You replaced the entire throttle body when you did not need to. Cost you way more money than you needed to spend. There is a kit for the throttle position sensor you can buy for around 35.00. AND...you can diy. I have a 2009 chev imp 3.5 V6 with 312 k on it and I have never cleaned the throttle body, nor have I replaced that unit. I have, however, recently replaced the throttle positon sensor and the acc pedal positon sensor. (92.00)(you have to buy the entire pedal assembly) Both fix error messages such as "engine power reduced, service traction control; service throttle position sensor, or if the car justs shuts down. Wait a few minutes and then restart. Replace both items and you are good to go. Both are electrical and the mechanical parts do not need service, although a dealer will have you just throw parts at your car until the problem goes away. If you have more money than brains, then by all means, continue to seek dealer help.

[@evan80207]

wendell worth where did you purchase all of your stuff to replace it?

[@wendellworth353]

Auto Parts store.

[@raidernation6603]

I changed pedal already but car sometimes stalls

[@wendellworth353]

That may be an idle prob.

[@ericlove1193]

What are the parts I need for my Chevy impala

[@camarobossman]

I have a 2006 impala ls an it jerks/hesitates from a stop position or stop light if you will. Could this be my throttle body gettin stuck. I got new plugs an wires an the throttle body has been clean an it still does the same thing. Heres the catch I have no check engine light so I have been chasing this ghosts for a year. did your car jerk from a stop position before you got the check engine light? I have 157000 miles an your in the 170000s. I think the computer doesn't flag a faught code unless its extremely bad.

[@nolansump7014]

+camarobossman Yes. I had issues with this happening before I had it replaced. After I had it done, it works a lot better now. My latest issue was the engine doing something similar on the highway. I learned it was the clutch converter showing reduced pressure; this has not been much of a problem though, and 15K miles later, I do not have many worries about it.

[@carlosorta3202]

thanks man..

[@carlosorta3202]

my question is.. after you replaced the throttle body. did you have to reprogram the computer??

[@nolansump7014]

I asked the dealership this question and they told me they do this on a regular basis after replacing the throttle as it installs software updates.

[@hitman29hardiman54]

I wish somebody who install it themselves really would answer this question

[@commitmenttoexcellence]

Thanks man I got a 2007 impala that's having the exact same problem I took it to Autozone they sad throttle and TAC senses not agreeing

[@FueledByRyan0]

Marley Bonnee what is the TAC?

[@commitmenttoexcellence]

idk i gave the car away

[@kenhunt4356]

Generally I love the Impala. For me seems to be a solid car and the suspension and tires last longer than for any other car I have ever owned - not to mention the good gas mileage. However, this TPS issue apparently happens to be common. I did have a 2006 3.5L with almost 300K miles (before someone t-boned me when they ran a stop-sign), and now have a 2008 3.9L with 145K. The 2006 never had the TPS problem, but the 2008 DOES - intermittently. From what I can read online, this problem is on multiple car and truck models and can be anything from a bad throttle pedal sensor, to a bad throttle body sensor, defective throttle motor or gears, bad wiring or connections at the TPS sensor, or I even have heard that someone had a dirty throttle-body plate causing the plate to be held too far open at idle (mismatch between TPS/MAF/MAP sensors). Fortunately we can replace just the TPS sensor (which is the potentiometer in the black plastic cover under the metal plate.) Anyway, for me my problem appears to be the plug at the throttle body. Whenever this problem happens, the engine will hardly run and the problem will not go away by merely turning off the engine and restarting. In my case, EVERY time I turn the engine off and THEN unplug and replug the sensor connector at the throttle body (several times to clean the terminals) the problem totally goes away and stays away for months. What I really need to do is splice in a new plug it would be smart to go get one before I get caught in a traffic situation that is not good!! In the meantime, since it goes away for 3 or more months I have put it off.

[@kenhunt4356]

Clarification: I should have said that it used to be that the only solution offered was replacing the whole throttle body, but if all else fails now we can replace just the much cheaper TPS sensor (which is the potentiometer in the black plastic cover under the metal plate.)

[@kirkmerehooper]

do a idle relearn

[@_mellove3047]

How much did u pay for the throttle body ? I'm having the same problem 🤦🏽‍♀️

[@nolansump7014]

$468.54; this was at a GM dealer.

[@nolansump7014]

+Nolan Sump That was parts and labor.

[@1989green]

Melanie M I consider that all maintenance after a certain amount of mileage. My goal was to get the Impala up to 300K then trade it in, but last November a deer ran into the side of my car and totaled it. At about 225,000 miles, it was as far as I could take it. It was sad to part with it as it was a reliable and comfortable car to drive.

[@Shotbymic_2]

@@1989green man I feel you. I have an 08 LTZ with almost 250k. I also want to get it to 300K and then just buy something new.

[@salehaltalha8818]

I have the same issue with my 2008 Impala but my problem isn't only that. I'm having my Impala since 2009 in Oregon then decided to ship it to Saudi Arabia after graduating last year cus I love this car. The biggest issue is that 2006-2013 Impala was not imported in any Middle Eastern country!!! So there's no part Supply. Chevy Malibu 2006-2013 is available in Saudi Arabia but I'm not sure if I can use Malibu parts to Impala. Even Chevy agents and Chevy parts suppliers don't have any idea about Impala parts! Shipping parts from US is a choice but it's costly! Now I need throttle body, breaks & discs and shock absorbers. And maybe I need more parts in future Selling the car is not a choice because it has all of my memories So who can advise me if 2008 Malibu parts fit 2008 Impala's?