Throttle Control Fuse blowing
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 28
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From: LA
Throttle Control Fuse blowing
Hi, I have a 2001 Z06. It's stock except for a Donaldson Blackwing that I've had in it for about 7 years.
Every couple of weeks, when I start it up, it idles really high and the following messages are displayed in the DIC: REDUCED ENGINE POWER, SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM, and SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING. The first time this happened, I limped to a Chevy dealership because the car won't go over 25mph in that state. They inspected it and found that the throttle control fuse was blown (fuse 17 in the engine compartment fuse block). Replacing the fuse resolved the problem.
A few weeks later, it happened again. I got a second dealership to look at it and they inspected the electrical system. They found the fuse blown again, but couldn't find the source of the problem.
Has anyone experienced this before? Every time I start it up, I'm worried that the fuse is going to blow. I have to keep a few 15 amp fuses in the glove box in case it happens.
I would appreciate any advice you could give me.
Every couple of weeks, when I start it up, it idles really high and the following messages are displayed in the DIC: REDUCED ENGINE POWER, SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM, and SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING. The first time this happened, I limped to a Chevy dealership because the car won't go over 25mph in that state. They inspected it and found that the throttle control fuse was blown (fuse 17 in the engine compartment fuse block). Replacing the fuse resolved the problem.
A few weeks later, it happened again. I got a second dealership to look at it and they inspected the electrical system. They found the fuse blown again, but couldn't find the source of the problem.
Has anyone experienced this before? Every time I start it up, I'm worried that the fuse is going to blow. I have to keep a few 15 amp fuses in the glove box in case it happens.
I would appreciate any advice you could give me.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
If your blowing a FUSE, you have a SHORT TO GROUND. One of the most COMMON places that this can happen is the engine wiring harness. Look at the harness on the top of the engine near the back of the fuel rail where it bends around the metal bracket. The harness cuts and chafes here on many cars and causes this issue:
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: LA
Hi, I removed the fuel rail covers and checked the engine wiring harness. It looks fine. With that angle, I can see how it would be a common problem, but mine is not cut or chafed.
Does anyone have any other ideas? Should I look at cleaning the chassis ground connectors? Thanks again for any help you can provide.
Does anyone have any other ideas? Should I look at cleaning the chassis ground connectors? Thanks again for any help you can provide.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
The throttle circuit is discrete circuit and does NOT utilize common chassis grounds. It uses Power, SIGNAL, REF and LOW REF that connect directly to the modules and sensors.
If you have an issue in that circuit, its either a connection issue, power issue, sensor issue or wiring issue.
BC
If you have an issue in that circuit, its either a connection issue, power issue, sensor issue or wiring issue.
BC
Last edited by Bill Curlee; Nov 25, 2010 at 08:32 AM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Ok,,,, Between my schematics and Byron's schematic, Ive been brain storming and have arrived at this speculation:
The TAC Module and most of the TAC wiring is located on/outboard of the PCM. The PCM/TAC modules are directly below the battery and if exposed to ACID from a leakey battery can deteriorat and cause weird issues like you are experiencing.
Strongly recommend checking the modules, wiring and connectors in that area and on those modules.
Give that area a good inspection and look for degraded and damaged wiring.
Bill
The TAC Module and most of the TAC wiring is located on/outboard of the PCM. The PCM/TAC modules are directly below the battery and if exposed to ACID from a leakey battery can deteriorat and cause weird issues like you are experiencing.
Strongly recommend checking the modules, wiring and connectors in that area and on those modules.
Give that area a good inspection and look for degraded and damaged wiring.
Bill
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,537
Likes: 3
From: Chester County PA
St. Jude Donor '08
Intermittant shorts are hard to find.
I agree with Bill that it may be a harness rubbing issue from the fuse block to the TAC module, or damage from battery acid.
You will need to visually check the entire length of harness.
If you have an ohn meter, remove fuse 17 and remove the connector from the TAC module, check the resistance to ground on the wire from the fuse. You should read infinity. Example a digital meter will indicate OL.
If you read any resistance to ground it is likely that the harness is rubbing somewhere.
I agree with Bill that it may be a harness rubbing issue from the fuse block to the TAC module, or damage from battery acid.
You will need to visually check the entire length of harness.
If you have an ohn meter, remove fuse 17 and remove the connector from the TAC module, check the resistance to ground on the wire from the fuse. You should read infinity. Example a digital meter will indicate OL.
If you read any resistance to ground it is likely that the harness is rubbing somewhere.
Last edited by 01Z06 Black; Nov 26, 2010 at 07:03 AM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
If you see ANY acid damage at all, Rusty frame and white deposits on the wires/harness) and don't easily find some damaged wiring or a damaged corroded plug, you just might have to disassemble that major wire harness to look for damage inside the bundle.
Do you have proper HVAC vent control. A common symptom of an acid damaged harness is loss of control of the HVAC Dampers (air blows out of all of the dampers and you cant control them)..
BC
Do you have proper HVAC vent control. A common symptom of an acid damaged harness is loss of control of the HVAC Dampers (air blows out of all of the dampers and you cant control them)..
BC
