2003 CRV has only 41,000 miles & the throttle assembly is SHOT

[Emmas2003CRV]

Here's what happened:

Our 2003 Honda CRV EX with 41,000 miles, warranty ran out at 35,000. Friday PM (10/07/05), we're 20 miles into our journey to a wedding 300 miles away and the yellow engine light goes on. It's not blinking, and after a couple of stops to check the gas cap and to lift the hood, it stays on. Car drives home fine, but bucks slightly anytime we come to a stop. Nothing else seems wrong except the yellow engine light, which remains on.

Next day, we drive the CRV to the dealer. Gas cap, they say. No way, I say, because it bucks. They hook it up & discover a "code" which tells them that the throttle assembly is shot. Fried. $880 for the part, $1046 total to fix it. Three days in the shop.

I have many questions. First, what the heck is a throttle assembly? Why (or how) did it break? Was there anything I could have done to avoid this? Once this is fixed, will the engine light stay off? Is there anything else that can happen elsewhere in the engine as a result of this?

One thing to note - this dealer had performed the 40,000 "routine maintenance" to the tune of $350 two days before this happened, and they "all of a sudden" decided to pay for all repairs because we're "good customers". They claim that this didn't happen as a result of something they might have done during the routine maintenance service, but I wonder.

What do you all think? Any help, advice, suggestions or related stories would be appreciated. Thanks!

[lorunner]

what probably failed was the throttle position sensor.

How it works is on the end of the butterfly in the throttle body there is a sensor. the sensor measures in volts from closed throttle to wide open throttle. That voltage is sent to the PCM so the pcm can determine how much fuel etc. is needed. The problem is the sensor is rivited to the side of the T/B and can't be replaced individually but only as an assembly.

[superbluecivicsi]

what was the exact code?

a new throttlebody can be purchased from your local parts store for much cheaper. so can the throttle body gasket. 4 bolts, the throttle cable, and 20 minutes later your new throttle body is installed.......................and saved a few hundred bucks.

[petroman]

I operate my 2003 Honda CRV EX in Canada.

I am presently at 65,000km (5,000km over warrenty coverage) and have had a similar problem with the "check engine" light coming one.

After taking the vehicle to my dealer I was informed that the throttle body assembly had failed. CDN$900 for the part, CDN$40 for the diagnostic and CDN$150 for the installation of the replacement.

I asked what caused the premature malfunction asn the service rep told me it was gas I was buying that caused the breakdown and that it was an issue known to Honda.

I asked to speak with the service rep. Pointed out that the vehicle had always been serviced by the dealer and that it failed so soon out of the warrenty coverage period (3yrs or 60,000km). He called Honda and then called back to "offer" to buy the part (Honda takes 50% and the dealer take 50%) if I would pay the labour.

He also told me that this issue was the subject of a "technical bulletin" issued to dealers. In other words, it is not a recall issue (yet) but the problem lies with a faulty part.

My advice, call, complain and point out that only a short time ago this part would have been covered by warrenty.

[dbee]

I've had a similar experience with my Honda CRV, 2003. I get a routine maintenance done at 50,000 miles and then at the 53,000 mile mark, the engine warning light is on; There is no problem with the fuel cap and the engine is trying to stall at low speed, particularly as one comes to a stop. Take it to Murray's Auto Clinic in Silver Spring and they tell me that the throttle body has to be replaced because the tps unit is not functioning (is that the throttle position sensor? I am not sure - maybe someone could help me out here).

This is a $815 part!

I hate how they charge you $76 to plug a computer cable to the engine! We do that kind of stuff all the time with our laptops / desktops, right?

The reliability concept that has enveloped Honda's products to date....has a dink in it now..!

[superbluecivicsi]

check engine light issues.

http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1171263

as for buying a new throttle body with the tps on it, get it from your local parts store.