I went to clean my wife's throttle body out with brake cleaner and I think I sprayed too much into the throttle body now the car won't start. It makes a small clicking/grinding noise when I try to start it. What have I done?

 

Grinding and clicking noises from where on the engine, the throttle body?

What engine type V6 or 4-cylinder?

Brake cleaner is much too aggressive and will melt plastic. You could have melted the IAC valve which is plastic or caused it to freeze.

In the future use a throttle body cleaner safe for plastics.

 

After about an hour i went to start it and it started right up. There's a little white smoke coming out the tailpipe but I think eventually that will go away

 

Great!

In the future use a throttle body cleaner safe for plastics.

With the engine running spray the cleaner into the throat and try to keep the engine running. This will prevent excess cleaner from accumulating in the IAC valve or other areas.

 

Will do lol