I have a 2006 Jeep Commander with the 5.7 Hemi engine. A few weeks ago I was driving. Suddenly, after hitting the accelerator to merge onto the express lanes the red lightning signal illuminated on the dash and the Jeep went to limp mode. I was able to get home and investigate the problem.
Indications seemed to point to the ETC (Electronic Throttle Control). I did a quick check, No wires chewed or disconnected,I then assumed it was the ETC.
I researched and found the part was between $70 and $450.I thought I might as well try and buy a factory replacement ($450) but soon discovered after calling , the part was on back order with no date as to when it would arrive.
I then called Napa and found there Dorman unit was also on back order with no specific due date.
I found the ETC (DORMAN brand) on Amazon and ordered it.
It arrived so I went to install.
I discovered that the shop I last had service my Jeep damaged the air intake hose that leads to the ETC. The shop replaced all the coolant hoses and removed the air intake when doing that service. The bottom of the hose was cut and rolled under the ETC, a piece of the rubber hose broke off and was lodged under the air intake valve in the ETC and was forcing the valve to be partially open.
I cleaned out the valve and the Jeep ran fine.

The Jeep has 150,000 miles on it. I'm sure the original ETC is fine but since I have a new one
I could return the new valve ($150) and just keep the old one.

I guess I favor keeping the original installed as the stories that I read about new parts and there failure rates is depressing. Since the valve is electronic (no mechanical gas pedal) the idea of preventive maintenance is attractive.

For the forum members that are familiar with this part ( fits most Chrysler 5.7 hemi models) What do you think?
It seems to me that the valve itself is very simple in design. If there is a failure of this valve it would appear to be a electronic failure not mechanical.There is no replacement parts for the electronics, replacement of the entire unit only.
Should I leave the old valve or install the replacement?

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Might consider keeping the one you ordered as a spare tho.

I went thru this a year ago in a backwater town in south Ga.
They had a jeep dealer there ,told them I thought it was a throttle body sensor,they check,yes we have it for $125 and a 100 to install,they had me on the road in an hour.
Good deal for me as my tools were here in Atlanta area.
Oh and one thing,auto will run[somewhat] with no new one but its scary in interstate roads,power sometimes then idle then power,scary.

I agree that when it comes to sensors and critical electronic parts OEM is way better than aftermarket stuff. Especially parts that are connected to your computer(s).

If you can afford to have a spare, I would keep it. My former Suburban stopped driving with ETC failure. It took ten minutes to replace with a used part and it worked fine. So, having the backup is peace of mind.

But, I would not replace OEM until it actually fails.

I ended up keeping the OEM unit installed. I will return the new one.
After cleaning the old ETC the engine starts and runes better than it did before.
Sadly, I feel more confident in the original, 150,000 mile/2006 ETC valve than a brand new one.