The Ford Fusion Throttle Body Troubleshooting. For many years, the Fusion was a dependable member of the Ford portfolio. The Ford Fusion, which debuted for the 2006 model year and will be available until 2020, generated a rebadged version in the Lincoln MKZ. Unfortunately, quality control difficulties that resulted in repeated recalls and technical service bulletins (TSBs) contributed to the Fusion’s demise. The Ford Fusion throttle body is one of the most common failures. Ford outfitted the Fusion with a range of engines, however many of them have problematic throttle bodies.
We’ll go over all you need to know about the Ford Fusion throttle body and its usual issues in this article. While this essay will focus on the Ford Fusion, the general facts concerning throttle bodies may be applied to almost any make or model. For your convenience, we have included a FAQ section at the end of the article that addresses all of the essential topics.
The Ford Fusion Is Introduced
The Ford Fusion was part of the Ford portfolio for 15 years. It is a four-door midsize sedan with a front-mounted engine and either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. It is the Ford Contour’s replacement, and it has been rebadged as the Lincoln MKZ and Mercury Milan. The Ford Fusion was produced in two generations. The first generation lasted from 2006 to 2012, while the second generation lasted from 2013 until 2020. The Fusion was built on Ford’s worldwide platform. The first generation is available on CD3, and the second generation is available on CD4.
The Ford Fusion was a somewhat diversified vehicle at the time. While the first generation only had two engines with moderate power (160-220 horsepower), the second generation went all out. A plug-in hybrid electric car to a twin-turbo performance sedan could be available in the second generation.
Unfortunately, the Fusion was discontinued after the 2020 model year. Its demise was precipitated by a lack of interest, as well as many recalls and TSBs. Still, there are millions of Fusions on the road today, and they will most certainly be available for a long time on the used market.
What engines are available for the Ford Fusion?
The Ford Fusion was produced in two generations, each with its unique set of engines. The 2.3L and 3.0L Duratec engines were available for the initial generation. Also referred to as the Duratec 23 and Duratec 30. The Duratec 23 is a four-cylinder engine, whilst the Duratec 30 is a V6. Inside the original generation Fusions, Ford rated the Duratec 23 at 160 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque, and the Duratec 30 at 221 horsepower and 205 lb-ft of torque.
The second model, on the other hand, offered a whopping six distinct engine options. The 1.5 EcoBoost, 1.6 EcoBoost, 2.0 EcoBoost, and 2.7L EcoBoost engines were among them. In addition to the Duratec 25 and Duratec 20 engines. Except for the 2.7 EcoBoost, all of the second generation engines are inline-four designs.
The early Duratec 20 has 141 horsepower and 129 lb-ft of torque, while the twin-turbo V6 2.7 EcoBoost has 325 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque. From 2017 through 2020, the 2.7 EcoBoost was exclusively offered in the Ford Fusion Sport. It was the most powerful engine option by far.
What is the purpose of a Ford Fusion Throttle Body?
Let’s speak about what a throttle body performs and how it works before we get into the symptoms, causes, and cures for Ford Fusion throttle body failure. Throttle bodies are critical components of an engine’s intake system, and their failure can be disastrous.
The Ford Fusion has a throttle body regardless of whether the engine is turbocharged or normally aspirated. The throttle body links to the intake manifold and controls how much air may enter the engine.
The throttle body is located between the intake manifold and the air intake tubing on naturally aspirated engines. The throttle body links to the intercooler piping, which is fed by the air intake and turbochargers in turbocharged engines.
Throttle bodies are simple devices that control airflow with a butterfly valve. The more airflow required, the more the valve opens; the more it want to restrict, the more the valve closes. At idling, the valve is mostly closed. The valve will be as open as feasible when the throttle is wide open.
As you can undoubtedly tell, having a problem regulating the airflow entering the engine is a severe problem. That is why it is critical to replace your throttle body as soon as possible if it is failing or has failed.
Is drive-by-wire a good thing or a terrible thing?
When it comes to throttle bodies, you’ve definitely heard the phrase “drive-by-wire,” but what exactly does it mean? Drive-by-wire (DBW) refers to the method through which the throttle body receives information about how much air to allow in. Previously, the accelerator pedal controlled a cable that was linked to the throttle body. The information from the accelerator pedal to the throttle body is electrically conveyed in newer DBW systems. As a result, the term “drive-by-wire” (electrical wire) was coined.
While early DBW systems were occasionally slow to respond and prone to breakdown, current systems are far more reliable. Not all of the problems have been ironed out – hence this article – but contemporary systems are far superior to those from the ’90s and early ’00s. Nonetheless, when sensors/electrical wires are included, the number of potential fail-points on DBW vs cable systems increases dramatically.
Symptoms of Ford Fusion Throttle Body Failure
- P2100-P2139 Check Engine Light
- High idle or rough idle
- Inadequate acceleration/power
- The engine is stalling.
- The car will not start.
- The vehicle has been placed in limp mode.
There are a number of indicators that your Ford Fusion throttle body is deteriorating. The most noticeable would be a P2100-P2139 check engine light. The electronic throttle control system (ETCS), commonly known as the drive-by-wire (DBW) system, is the subject of all of these codes.
There are various other symptoms you may experience in addition to a check engine light (CEL), or even if a CEL does not appear. Because the throttle body regulates the amount of air entering the intake manifold, if it fails, your engine will struggle to maintain the proper air-to-fuel ratio in order to function properly.
This might cause a rough or unusually high idle, a lack of acceleration, engine stalling while stopping, the engine failing to start, and the engine potentially being forced into limp mode, where performance is severely reduced.
Importantly, because the ETCS/DBW system has so many sensors, a malfunctioning sensor can replicate the problems of a failing throttle body. A CEL is usually displayed when a sensor fails, but this is not always the case. Before performing any repairs, double-check that the CEL is right.
Common reasons of Ford Fusion throttle body failure
- Debris and dirt in and around the throttle body
- High mileage wear and tear
- ETCS/DBW system sensor(s) failure
Dirt and debris in the unit is by far the most prevalent cause of Ford Fusion throttle body problems. Both the interior and exterior of the throttle body can become dirty, causing issues. If the outside of the throttle body becomes too unclean, it might interfere with the electrical connections and even create punctures and leaks. If the inside becomes too unclean, the butterfly valve may become clogged and damaged, or it may fail to open.
Furthermore, high mileage might cause throttle bodies to fail. Many people complain about throttle body failure after 150,000 km. This is frequently due to the problem mentioned above, which is caused by excessive filth and grime, but throttle bodies are also known to fail on their own.
Finally, the throttle body itself is frequently fine, and the problem is caused by a sensor within the ETCS/DBW system. This can include anything from an accelerator pedal sensor to a throttle position sensor to an oxygen sensor. That is why, before performing any throttle body repairs, it is critical to first examine the CEL and any associated sensors.
How to Repair a Broken Ford Fusion Throttle Body
The first step in repairing a failed Ford Fusion throttle body is to ensure that the problem is with the throttle body itself. As previously stated, accelerator or TPS sensors can frequently go berserk and malfunction, imitating throttle body faults. If this is the case, repairing the throttle body will not assist unless the sensor is replaced.
After you’ve limited the problem down to the throttle body, the first step is to thoroughly clean it inside and out. For many folks, merely removing the accumulated dirt and grime can solve any throttle body issues. All electrical connections should be inspected after cleaning the throttle body to ensure they are not affected.
As a final option, a new throttle body might be installed. It’s critical to buy the same size throttle body, since getting one that’s too little or too big will cause problems with air supply into the engine. Fortunately, switching between throttle bodies is simple. This YouTube video demonstrates how to replace a throttle body on a Fusion 2006-2012.
Ford Fusion Throttle Body Frequently Asked Questions
Are throttle bodies standard on all Ford Fusions?
Yes. Regardless of design or aspiration, all Ford Fusion engines contain a throttle body.
How does a throttle body function?
Throttle bodies control how much air gets into the engine. They’re installed between the air intake and the intake manifold and use a butterfly valve to limit airflow into the manifold. The throttle body opens in response to the position of the accelerator pedal, which is electrically communicated from the pedal to the throttle body.
What are the most common signs of throttle body failure?
The following are the most common symptoms of a deteriorating throttle body: Check Engine Light (P2100-P2139), rough idle or high idle, lack of acceleration/power, engine stalling, car not starting, and/or the vehicle being forced into limp mode. A check engine light will usually illuminate, although this is not always the case. If you have these symptoms but no CEL, there could be a problem with the throttle body.
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What are the most typical causes of throttle body failure?
The most typical reasons of throttle body failure are dirt/debris in and around the throttle body, as well as heavy mileage. The dirt/debris can cause the external electrical connections to fail, and it can also clog or harm the butterfly valve internally.
Is it pricey to replace throttle bodies?
Throttle bodies are usually inexpensive to replace. It doesn’t take long because it’s rather simple, and most replacement throttle bodies should cost less than $100.
How severe are throttle body problems?
Throttle bodies that fail can cause major problems for the engine. If your engine can’t precisely manage the amount of air it gets, it’ll run either too lean or too rich fuel mixes. These can result in a variety of problems ranging from engine knock to poor gas mileage. If you have a failing throttle body, you should address it as quickly as possible.
