Yes.

How do you know if a throttle position

sensor (TPS) is bad? Of course, some
symptoms can tell you when a TPS may
be bad. But these symptoms may come
from other bad sensors, parts or
components. So you need to conduct
some tests.

The TPS connects to the throttle plate on

the throttle body. The position sensor has
a variable resistance potentiometer (or
contact points, depending on model) that
sends a varying voltage signal to the
Power Control Module (PCM, your car's
engine computer) according to the
position of the throttle plate.

This plate rotates when you depress the

gas pedal to allow more air to enter the
intake manifold. With the engine running,
the position of the throttle plate (along
with other sensors) tells the computer
how much fuel the engine needs at any
given moment.
So, without the correct signal coming from
the TPS, you begin to notice drivability
problems. Fortunately, it's not that hard to
test the sensor. You can use the position
sensor operating characteristics to test it
using a digital multimeter (DMM).

If you haven't used a multimeter before,

just take a look at the next video. In a
couple of minutes you'll be ready to test
the throttle position sensor in your car.
And if you're looking for an inexpensive
but good DMM for your toolbox—you need
to use one for many DIY car projects—you
can find one at your local auto parts store
or online.

The most typical failure you'll find on a

TPS is wear, a short or an open on the
circuit of the contacts or variable resistor.
This guide will help you test the throttle
position sensor in a few minutes and
know whether you need to replace it.
Bad TPS Symptoms
Lean and Rich fuel condition problems
Bad computer signals to other actuators
Ignition timing problems
Triggering of trouble codes (depending on
car model)
Rough idle
Hesitation
Stumble
Surging
Stalling
Crank-No start condition

I. How to Test a Throttle Position Sensor

The most common TPS test is to measure

for resistance (ohms) or voltage at the
various positions, including throttle plate
closed, half open and fully open. We'll use
voltage to test the TPS here.
1. Open the hood and remove the air
cleaner assembly where it connects with
the throttle body.

2. Inspect the throttle plate and the walls

of the throttle body surrounding the
throttle plate.

* If you see carbon buildup around the

walls and under the throttle plate, spray
some carburetor cleaner on a clean shop
rag and wipe the buildup with it until the
surface is completely clean. Carbon
buildup can prevent the throttle plate from
closing properly and moving freely.

3. Locate the TPS mounted on the side of

the throttle body. The TPS is a small
plastic block with a three wire connector.
A. Is Your TPS Connected to Ground?

1. Carefully unplug the electrical

connector from the TPS.

2. Examine the electrical connector wires

and terminals for dirt, contamination and
damage.

3. Now, set your DMM to a suitable

setting, like 20 Volts, on the DC voltage
scale.

4. Turn the ignition key to the ON position,

but don't start the engine.

5. Connect the red test lead from your

DMM to the battery positive post, the one
marked with a "+" sign.

6. And touch the black test lead from your

DMM to each of the three electrical
terminals of the TPS electrical connector.
* The one terminal that reads 12 Volts on
your DMM is the ground terminal. Make a
note of the color of this wire.

* If none of the terminals reads 12 Volts,

there's a problem in that part of the wiring
leading to the TPS you need to fix because
the TPS has no ground.

7. Turn the ignition key OFF.

B. Is Your TPS Connected to Reference
Voltage?

1. Now connect the black test lead from

your DMM to the ground terminal on the
TPS connector you just identified.

2. Turn the ignition key to the ON position,

but don't start the engine.

3. Connect the red test lead to each of the

other two terminals.
4. One of the terminals should read 5
volts, or pretty close to it. That terminal is
providing the reference voltage to the TPS
to produce the voltage signal. Make a note
of the color of the wire connected to this
terminal. The third wire corresponds to the
signal voltage or signal wire.

* If you don't get 5 volts from any of the

two terminals, there's a problem in the
circuit you need to fix because there's no
reference voltage going to the TPS. Check
the circuit for bad terminals, loose, dirty or
damage wires.

5. Turn the ignition key OFF.

6. Plug back in the electrical connector to

the TPS.
C. Is Your TPS Producing the Correct
Signal Voltage?

1. Now backprobe the signal and ground

terminals on the TPS electrical connector.
If necessary, use a couple of pins to
backprobe the wires.

2. Connect the positive (red) test lead from

your DMM to the signal wire and the black
negative (black) test lead from your DMM
to the ground wire.

3. Turn the ignition key ON but don't start

the engine.

4. Make sure the throttle plate is fully

closed.

5. Your DMM should read around 0.2 up to

1.5 Volts or close to it, depending on your
particular model. If the readout on your
meters shows only a zero, make sure
you're at a low setting—usually at the 10
or 20 Volts setting. If your meter still reads
zero, continue with this test anyway.

6. While watching the readout on your

DMM, gradually open the throttle plate
until is fully opened (or have an assistant
gradually depress the gas pedal to the
floor).

* Your DMM should read 5 volts or close

to it when the throttle plate is fully opened.

* Also, make sure that the voltage

increases smoothly as you gradually open
the throttle plate.

* If you notice the voltage skipping or

stuck at a certain voltage value, as you
gradually open the throttle plate, your TPS
is not working properly and you need to
replace it.
* Also, if your TPS doesn't reach 5 volts, or
close to it (up to 3.5V on some models),
when the throttle plate is fully opened,
replace the TPS.

7. Repeat step 21, only this time use the

handle of a screwdriver to lightly tap on
the position sensor as you open and close
the throttle plate. If the voltage skips as
you tap the sensor, replace it.

8. Turn OFF the ignition key and remove

the pins.

If your have an adjustable throttle position

sensor (old vehicle model), and your
readings are out of specification, try to
adjust the sensor first before replacing it.
Your sensor is adjustable if you can
loosen the sensor mounting bolts and
rotate the sensor left or right. If necessary,
head over to the next
II. Throttle Position Sensor Adjustment

This is an example of an adjustment on an

externally mounted TPS. Other models
with different configurations require a
variation of the following steps. But this
will give you a general idea of the
adjustment procedure.

1. Loosen the sensor mounting bolts just

enough so that you can rotate it by lightly
tapping on it with a screwdriver handle.

2. Backprobe the position sensor to

monitor the voltage signal with your DMM.

3. Turn the ignition key to the ON position

but don't start the engine.

4. Keep the throttle plate at the close

position (or at the position specified in
your repair or service manual).
5. Verify that the voltage corresponds to
the specified in your manual. If not, rotate
the sensor left or right until you obtain the
specified voltage.

6. Then, hold the TPS in that position and

tighten up the mounting screws.

If the TPS is unable to reach the specified

voltage, replace it.

NOTE: On some models, you need a feeler

gauge to adjust the position sensor. Also,
you may need to adjust a stop screw in
the throttle body and, still in some other
models, adjust a dash pot that prevents
the throttle plates from suddenly closing.
For this, read the instructions in the repair
manual for your specific vehicle make and
model.
tps wire
tps idle and wot reading
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Eng:mutasim altayeb ahmed