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Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) .. let's discuss

103K views 68 replies 27 participants last post by  Thufft72 
#1 ·
Let's see where this thread goes but people w/ ETC know that it can be a pain in the rear sometimes since it's computer controlled.

I've come up with some ways of "manipulating" it's settings for better throttle response and better driving conditions.

If you have you're foot completely off the gas then punch it, nothing will happen for two seconds .. kinda dangerous if you're trying to pull into traffic or make an emergency lane change.. I've found that even the lightest pressure on the pedal tells the computer to respond faster... like if you're maintaing your speed and punch it, the Jeep will react faster than not already having your foot on the pedal.

And downshifting.. try downshifting without touching the brakes. Each gear clucks into the next but if you have light pressure on the brake pedal, the computer reacts differently and makes for much smoother downshifts. Safter IMO and more controllable.

This is me thinking out loud, so talk it over.. have you tried these methods? Are there any other ways to make ETC easier to deal with? Discuss and we'll see where this goes...

/rant
 
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#2 ·
Do you reset your throttle at all? I do mine like every other day. LOL
 
#3 ·
I've always seen that as an old wives tale.. I must have read three or four methods of doing that and they all seem to work. But again I don't know for sure, but I do want to talk about all the options b/c this ETC can annoying as hell sometimes.

One that I've heard is that you need to reset it in the morning, right, when the engine is cold?
 
#5 ·
Yeah it gets old sometimes.. how about this.. is there an official reset procedure that everyone goes by (referring back to what Nate was talking about)? What works and what doesn't? B/c like I've said, I've read many different methods.
 
#7 ·
When I get in the jeep i turn the key till the lights come on and wait till the chime stops and step on the throttle all the way down and let go then turn the key off pausing at each position. I do that about 3 times to make sure it goes thru right. LOL
 
#6 ·
I hate the dead spots. When you just want to go a little faster and step on it a little and you get nothing and you have to punch it to move anywhere. LOL
 
#65 ·
This is a huge problem for the Cummins Rams. A "dead spot" or throttle lag. I found the one thing that will instantly cure this:
The BD Throttle Sensitivity Booster
BD Throttle Sensitivity Booster 07-16 Cummins / 11-17 Powerstroke

I absolutly loved mine. It basically makes your throttle more sensitive. When before you had to get on it to get a reaction, now it has that same reaction much sooner. Will be ordering one for my Jeep ASAP.
 
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#8 ·
Do you depress it slowly, b/c one of the methods I've read is to depress it and release the pedal as slow as possible... LOL
 
#10 ·
come on Nate...can you give us a step-by-step? None of this crackhead-one-sentence-lingo :)

I have a spot in acceleration, esp when going up a hill, that if I ever-so gently apply the gas the Jeep SURGES forward, then backs off a little...anyone else have this problem?
 
#19 · (Edited)
Thanks, Nate! I'll try that.. (crackhead) LOL

I have a spot in acceleration, esp when going up a hill, that if I ever-so gently apply the gas the Jeep SURGES forward, then backs off a little...anyone else have this problem?
I feel like it's trying to keep the RPMs down and the gear high as long as possible.. when it downshifts and you feel that surge, your foot is already deep into the pedal and now the etc is giving input to, say, 50% throttle in 4th gear, adjusting accordingly. It's a poor system, all in an attempt to keep the MPGs up. But I do love the silky shifts that the WK has, it's a great transmission, the ETC just gets in the way.

I solved the problem by adding a tuner.
I thought I did too, I even have a CMR and I get the lag and I thought it would be gone but the etc learns itself quickly and if you don't drive like a maniac the throttle lag comes back.. if my tune didn't solve the lag I wouldn't be making this thread.

.
.

One could drive with the ESP partially off, or completely off.. I was testing out throttle response today and if it's off, I definitely notice better response, but nothing to write home about.
 
#13 ·
That was going to be my question...will a 'tuner' get rid of this annoyance and (sometimes) dangerous condition? I had an envoy once that had this and hated it, but my GTO seemed to work just fine. So, to me it's more of a computer thing than anything else.

If so, does any of the 'tuners' have this, or just some? I'm still not sure which one to get when the time comes. That and have some tranny control; this thing is just sad sometimes the way it behaves and we don't get to use the engine the way we should!
 
#15 ·
Here's the steps you need to follow:
1. Find an unused section of road with a good spot to pull-off/turn-around.
2. Pull off of the road and shut your car off.
3. Turn your key to the "On" position (but don't start the car), and wait for the 'idiot' lights to go out.
4. Press down on the accelerator, and let it back up.
5. Turn your car off.
6. Re-start your car and cruise up and down the road testing your throttle responsiveness.
Depending on how fast/slow you do the 4th step, your throttle will either become more or less sensitive/responsive.
Repeat steps #1 through #5 as needed until you're satisfied that your throttle response is as good as it's going to get.

Remember these things 'learn' how you drive so if you drive like Grandma for a few days, it's adjusts accordingly.
 
#21 ·
I think the reset is for ETC .. if you have a throttle cable then it wouldn't work.
 
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#22 ·
The way i get best 0-60 results in my 5.7 is slighty hit the gas on take off with ESp off and then punch it. IDK if its the mods i have... i dont have the predator tuner yet but i have some sick take off. It works every time i do it. Also try using the shifter to stay in first then hit it to second then third. If im runnig 0-60, i dont go passed third gear
 
#24 ·
press the ESP button again and try starting it
 
#26 ·
Maybe unplug the battery and see if that resets something. I would try everything before bringing it to the stealership
 
#27 ·
if you have a warranty.. go to the dealer (obviously) but I agree.. reset the battery and report back.
 
#29 · (Edited)
Thanks for the info. Removed the neg cable and reset with no change. Just cranks away. The ETC light flases as its cranking. I sure don't want to go to the dealer, but my concern is a "local" shop my not have the proper equipment to set the electronics. I thought about changing the thottle body but with no clear indication thats the issue, could be money wasted. I read in another post, a fellow had to have his throttle pedal assembly replaced but he said it was because of hesitation. It seems no one has had this no start issue, lucky me. It it helps, this is a 2005 5.7 Limited, magnaflow muffler, AFE Stage 2, 106k miles. Thanks again !!
 
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