I cleaned out my throttle body and now the check engine light is on.

Do I need to clear the check engine codes or will it clear itself over time?

Battery disconnect cleared the light.

***After a few miles CEL came back on***

Have to do the re-set procedure.

best thread ever.

I'm always one to entertain! I can go on a rant about how great the 4Runner is and how "shaity" the Pathfinder is if you'd like! Lol

Oh please, let's hear this, The 4Runner is one UGLY vehicle.

KEVSTER wrote:Oh please, let's hear this, The 4Runner is one UGLY vehicle.

Yeah, not to mention the interior.

He's Baaa....aaaaack

Just an FYI...you will need to do these procedures if you clean your trottle body!

Link from nicoclub.com: http://forums.nicoclub.com/05-pathfinde ... 44342.html

This problem is perfectly normal after cleaning/replacing the throttle body. Over time as your throttle body collects carbon the air volume which passes through it changes very slightly. This slight change in air volume is registered by the ECU and the ECU will auto-correct itself over time so that the driver notices no difference in idling or throttle response.

When you cleaned the throttle body you increased the air volume which can pass through the throttle body and this confused the ECU into thinking that there is something wrong with the engine, causing the malfunction indicator lamp to illuminate.

There are some steps which you can take to remedy this problem, all of which are free and can be done in your driveway. The following tasks need to be performed in the following order:

1. Reset ECU

2. Accelerator Pedal Released Position Learning

3. Throttle Valve Closed Position Learning

4. Idle Air Volume Learning

-----------------------------------------------------
----- RESET ECU -----
(The easy method below is much easier than this one, I suggest trying that one first)

1. Confirm that accelerator pedal is fully released, turn ignition switch “ON” and wait 3 seconds.

2. Repeat the following steps (2a and 2b) procedures quickly five times within 5 seconds.

2-a. Fully depress the accelerator pedal (HARD).
2-b. Fully release the accelerator pedal.

3. Wait 7 seconds, fully depress the accelerator pedal and keep it for approx. 10 seconds until the CEL starts blinking.

4. Fully release the accelerator pedal (while the CEL is still blinking).

5. Wait about 10 seconds.

6. Fully depress the accelerator pedal and keep it for more than 10 seconds.

7. Fully release the accelerator pedal (The CEL light will continue to blink).

8. Turn ignition switch to “OFF” position and now you can start the car. The CEL light should be gone.

If the CEL light continues to remain ON, repeat the above steps. Timing is EXTREMELY critical to resetting the ECU.

----- EASY METHOD TO RESET ECU -----

1. Ignition "ON", count to 3.

2. Depress/Release pedal 5 times...hard and fast.

3. Count to 10 (not 7!) and fully depress pedal

4. Count to 12 (SES should be blinking), release pedal

5. Count to 10, depress pedal

6. Count to 10, release pedal.

7. Turn off ignition, then start engine. Done!

----- ACCELERATOR PEDAL RELEASED POSITION LEARNING -----

1. Make sure that accelerator pedal is fully released.

2. Turn ignition switch ON and wait at least 2 seconds.

3. Turn ignition switch OFF wait at least 10 seconds.

4. Turn ignition switch ON and wait at least 2 seconds.

5. Turn ignition switch OFF wait at least 10 seconds.

----- THROTTLE VALVE CLOSED POSITION LEARNING -----

1. Make sure that accelerator pedal is fully released.

2. Turn ignition switch ON.

3. Turn ignition switch OFF wait at least 10 seconds.

Make sure that throttle valve moves during above 10 seconds by confirming the operating sound.

----- IDLE AIR VOLUME LEARNING -----
(The following steps are very time critical and any errors in timing may cause the malfunction indicator lamp to illuminate. If this occurs, you need to reset the ECU and complete all of the tasks again)

1. Start engine and warm it up to normal operating temperature.

2. Check that all items listed under the topic PREPARATION (previously mentioned) are in good order.

3. Turn ignition switch OFF and wait at least 10 seconds.

4. Confirm that accelerator pedal is fully released, then turn ignition switch ON and wait 3 seconds.

5. Repeat the following procedure quickly five times within 5 seconds.

5-a. Fully depress the accelerator pedal.
5-b. Fully release the accelerator pedal.

6. Wait 7 seconds, fully depress the accelerator pedal and keep it for approx. 20 seconds until the MIL stops blinking and turned ON.

7. Fully release the accelerator pedal within 3 seconds after the MIL turned ON.

8. Start engine and let it idle.

9. Wait 20 seconds.

12. Rev up the engine two or three times and make sure that idle speed and ignition timing are within the specifications. The vehicle should idle at 625 RPM's.

pawjr74 wrote:

yes yes all that might seem interesting, but still 4Runners are full awesome.

2002 and previous 4Runners are the best. 2003 to 2009 not so great. 2010 we'll have to see?

Throttle body re-set procedures.

pawjr74 wrote:2002 and previous 4Runners are the best. 2003 to 2009 not so great. 2010 we'll have to see?

I don't know about that. I had a 99 Supercharged 4Runner 4x4 and my 08 Pathy kills it. I have more space for people and cargo. I'm much quicker. I can tow a hell of a lot more. I can come to a stop much more quickly. I'm only getting 1-2 mpg worse fuel economy. The 4Runner was a little better getting started from a stop in sand, but that's not a fair comparison because I had A/Ts on the 4Runner. The Pathy still has the stock highway tires.

serturbo wrote:

pawjr74 wrote:2002 and previous 4Runners are the best. 2003 to 2009 not so great. 2010 we'll have to see?

I don't know about that. I had a 99 Supercharged 4Runner 4x4 and my 08 Pathy kills it. I have more space for people and cargo. I'm much quicker. I can tow a hell of a lot more. I can come to a stop much more quickly. I'm only getting 1-2 mpg worse fuel economy. The 4Runner was a little better getting started from a stop in sand, but that's not a fair comparison because I had A/Ts on the 4Runner. The Pathy still has the stock highway tires.

I agree with you about the Pathfinder. I was comparing the 4Runner models to itself by generation.

Yep, I agree with your assessment. The pre-02s were the best as far as mixing off-roadability and comfort. Those 03-09 models were a total joke. Not much more than a RAV4 with extra room. My cousin bought a 2010 4Runner, but I haven't had a chance to look at it yet. I had a 91 4Runner before the 99. It was fine. Just more of a truck than anything else.