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sarahkoenig64

VW Sharan Throttle Body Failure Causes Power Loss

My diesel VW Sharan (2007, 111626km) suddenly lost power while driving and the check engine light turned on. The throttle body seems to act up, as the engine idling is inconsistent and the air intake feels restricted. Any others dealt with this? Had some unpleasant experiences with mechanics lately, so looking for recommendations on a typical replacement cost and what to watch out for during repairs.

4 comment(s)

mika_mayer4

Had similar symptoms on a 2010 VW Touran TDI. The engine idling was rough and the response delay between pressing the accelerator and actual power delivery kept getting worse. The issue turned out to be a failing electronic throttle body module. The main signs were inconsistent air intake readings and poor fuel efficiency. The engine would sometimes surge or hesitate, especially during cold starts. The repair required replacing the complete throttle body assembly since the electronics inside were defective. It was a serious issue that needed immediate attention as it could lead to complete power loss. The job took about 2 hours for the mechanic to complete. Important points to watch for during repairs: Make sure they perform the proper throttle body relearn procedure after installation, Check if the wiring harness connectors are clean and undamaged, Verify the air intake system is properly sealed after reassembly, Request testing at various engine speeds to confirm proper operation The symptoms match exactly what happened in this case, and postponing the repair could lead to further engine management issues.

sarahkoenig64 (Author)

Thanks for the detailed explanation. Your experience sounds identical to what I am going through with my Sharan right now. The car went into limp mode yesterday and shows the exact same symptoms you described with the throttle body. Would you remember approximately how much you paid for the complete repair? Also curious if any related issues came up in the months after fixing it? My biggest concern is getting it fixed only to have something else fail due to the original problem. The check engine light is really starting to worry me since the engine idling gets worse every day. Just want to make sure I get a fair price and proper fix without any surprises.

mika_mayer4

Since getting the throttle valve fixed last month, my Touran has been running perfectly. The final cost came to 265€ for the accelerator pedal module replacement, which resolved all the issues with irregular air flow and engine response. The repair proved to be the right solution, no more limp mode incidents or engine management problems. Fuel efficiency returned to normal levels, and the erratic idling completely disappeared. The engine now maintains steady power delivery without any hesitation. The investment was worthwhile considering the potential damage that could have occurred from continued driving with a faulty throttle system. Everything has worked flawlessly since the repair, with no related issues emerging. The symptoms you describe are so similar, I am confident you are dealing with the same problem. Getting it fixed promptly will prevent any cascade of issues that could develop from restricted air intake or improper fuel delivery.

sarahkoenig64 (Author)

Thanks everyone for sharing their experiences. I finally went to get it fixed yesterday and wanted to share what happened. The mechanic confirmed it was indeed the throttle body causing all the problems. The total repair came to 290€ including parts and labor. They had to replace the entire throttle body assembly since the electronic control unit was failing. The actual repair only took about 2 hours once they had the part. After the fix, the engine response is back to normal with no more limp mode issues. The idle is smooth again and acceleration feels much better. Such a relief to have proper power delivery back. The check engine light is gone and fuel efficiency has already improved on my drive home. The mechanic showed me the old throttle body and I could see where carbon buildup had affected the electronic sensors. He recommended regular intake cleaning to prevent future issues. Money well spent considering how much stress this was causing.

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