What is (TBA) Throttle Body Alignment

[Dave_Bounce]

I came across the phraze Throttle Body Alignment or TBA a few times on the net. Apparently it is resetting the ECU after doing something such as removing the battery.

To do it you:

1. turn the ignition on, but dont start the car
2. press the accelerator fully, for 15 seconds
3. release accelerator pedal
4. turn ignition off
5. you're done.

Is it something to the effect of restoring the ECU back to factory settings?...And is there much to actually be gained from doing this?

Just curious :D

[Imran]

TBA alignment only applies to petrol cars. When you press the accelarator on a petrol car, the throttle body has a valve inside it which opens up to determine how much fuel to give the car afaik, This valve can sometimes get gunked up and stick, so you clean the tb and then do an alignment.

[Eshrules]

AFAIK - this is only done when the TB is replaced or repaired? It's pointless doing it otherwise.

[Dave_Bounce]

Nothing that would interest me with me TDI passat anyways ha. Thanks for the replies anyways

[RichardSEL]

AFAIK - this is only done when the TB is replaced or repaired? It's pointless doing it otherwise.

You can do a TBA during it's life if you get lumpy tickover. But if you get lumpy tickover then the throttle body invariably needs cleaning. There's various threads about how to in the forums. I've only re-adapted mine the once in VCDS but I've only got 55k on the clock. It did cure my lumpy tickover though. Just waiting for the warmer weather to do my clean. Figures that are acceptable (says Dana) are:
Wednesday,02,May,2012,13:21:35:48313
VCDS Version: Release 11.11.3
Data version: 20120401


Address 01: Engine (3C0 907 115 Q)

13:21:11 Group 060: Speed Regulation (Basic Setting: Throttle Body Adaptation)
16.4 % Throttle Drive Angle Sensor 1
83.2 % Throttle Drive Angle Sensor 2
8 Self-Adaptation Steps Counter
ADP. O.K. Result Throttle Valve Adp.