2003 Beetle Rough Idle Worsens after Throttle Body cleaning

Asked by Dylan Apr 06, 2017 at 06:21 PM about the 2003 Volkswagen Beetle GLS 1.8T

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Anyone out there got any knowledge working on
these? Not like my hondas and nissans. So heres
the problem, had a rough idle. Very rough while
check engine light is on. Check engine light goes
off and TRAC control light comes on and so does
EPC light. When those are on the car idles fine. It
sounded like Throttle Body needed cleaned. Pulled
it out as shown below and cleaned it, theb put back
in. Now the car runs worse and brakes tighten up. I
had battery dissconected and im too worried to
drive it so it cycles back on to pull codes. Any
ideas? Im lost. I know its most likley a vaccum leak
but how did it get worse?

1 Answer

188,455

This is not a jap car, this fine german engineering. The 2003 throttle body is a fly by wire and really shouldn't have been cleaned or should I say soked with cleaner. On the side of of the throttle body there is a black box, there are clips if you take those off this will allow you to open this box, you will see a series of four contacts these ride on four strips on the black box, these strips needs to be cleaned if you have carbon build up. Then ohm them out for proper function. Then ohm from the connector to the strip for proper function. If everything checks ok , put it back together and try it, make sure you check all the vacuum lines for any leaks. But If it were me I just replaced the whole throttle body and sensor and install all new vacuum lines. VW products are very temperamental and everything has to be just right in order for the car to run properly...

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