Hi. I have a rough idling and stuttering Panda. The above fault code reads "Throttle activator control - bank 1" and is the apparent cause of my problems. Does anyone know what I need to fix it? The error code seems to be a bit vague. I could replace the throtte body at £370, but what does "bank 1" mean? There is only one throttle body afterall. Does it refer to one of the ECU's? any ideas?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Code PO638 is Throttle actuator control range/performance [bank 1 ]

I take it you have the diesel panda version ? now its been many a year since I worked on a lamp oil user but I think this relates to ERG valve/throttle..:chin:

Anyway hang in there I'm sure another owner or tech will be along soon to give a more complete diagnosis..

No, its a 1.2 petrol car.

OK ..so we now know its a 1.2 so anyone got any suggestions.. I think it might relate to throttle position sensor..



Sensor is 1a in diag

The 'bank 1' is used in diagnostic speak to refer to the banks of an engine, even if, as in this case, there is only one bank as it's a straight four. In a V engine it helps you trace the fault to one side of the engine as there are two banks to the engine - bank one being (IIRC) left, and bank two, right.

PNL is right in saying it could well be the throttle position sensor, but it could well be the throttle pedal itself as that (I think) will have it own sensor on it too.

Without some jury rigging and data as to what the test values are it's hard to say from my living room - I'll have a look at work tomorrow and see if our systems can throw any light on it.

Ben

Hi BenP, thanks for your comments on my panda fault code P0638. Did you manage to find anymore info when you got to work?

tomlee said:

Hi BenP, thanks for your comments on my panda fault code P0638. Did you manage to find anymore info when you got to work?

Click to expand...

Sorry - totally forgot about this!

My diagnosis kit says:

Fault location - Throttle actuator control (TAC), bank 1 - range/performance problem.

Probable cause - Basic setting not carried out (if applicable), ISC actuator/throttle motor, APP sensor.

Now, as you said earlier, that essentially is saying it could be anything to do with the throttle system, but my reckoning is it's the throttle position sensor at the top of the pedal itself as these are a common fault on a lot of cars. Corsas suffer this issue a lot, and with Vauxhall and Fiat working together on their smaller cars I'd put money on the pedal/sensor combination being the problem.

Ben

Thanks BenP, I appreciate your advice. Would a sensor near the pedal affect the idling? I could understand it causiing a problem when being pressed but when my foot is actually off the throttle it is still really lumpy/juddery. Another strange symptom is that the more the pedal is pressed in 3rd, 4th and 5th gear (such as climbing a hill) it will have a more pronounced stutter. However, it does not do it at all under hard acceleration in 1st or 2nd gear !!! It has me mystified. Would fiat charge me for curing the problem by a process of elimination or would they only charge me for repairing the actual fault?