How To Test a Throttle Position Sensor . Resetting The Throttle Body Calibration (this step is conditional) A Rough Idle or a SES can sometimes be caused by a change in the throttle body position sensor calibration. How to Test a Throttle Position Sensor. So, can you drive with a bad throttle position sensor? Chrysler  |   There are limitations to what the voltmeter can do, which will also be discussed. GM  |   It will almost always come with the Check Engine Light (CEL). Warning: always seek professional help when you’re not confident about your DIY repair skills. NOTE: The throttle position sensor has to remain connected to its connector for this test to work (this is where a wire piercing probe comes in handy to get to the signal inside the wire. Note: These procedures are a … By this I mean that the TPS assembly has two parts that perform two specific functions. If by chance it does, it can automatically turn off possibly when you’re driving. You will notice this when you pull live data using a scan tool. Copyright © 2009-2020 Abraham Torres-Arredondo All Rights Reserved. The most common throttle position sensor test is to measure the resistance or voltage. In this case, the first way to test the throttle position sensor is … If the TPS is bad, the tapping will cause the voltage numbers to skip or go blank. The most common throttle position sensor test is to measure the resistance or voltage. What Happens when Throttle Position Sensor is Bad? One example of this is throttle control. So how do you diagnose a bad throttle position sensor? This test result confirms that the TP sensor is OK and not defective. When the sensor develops a fault, some or all of the positions of the sensor will act as open circuits, causing a drop-out in the signal voltage to the on-board computer. In this tutorial, we're gonna' test the throttle position sensor part of the TPS assembly. Picture a little module in the car that reads how far down you have pressed the gas pedal. That’s where scan tools with programing and coding come in handy. If you’ve confirmed that indeed the TPS is faulty, you can go ahead and fix it. But how do you know if the throttle position sensor has failed? Have your helper turn the key On, but don't start the engine (this will power up the TP sensor). As you can see, there are cables running to and from the sensor to complete the sensor’s circuit. I've also sprayed the innards of the TB and the butterfly valve with carb cleaner. Unplug the OBD scan tool and start the vehicle’s engine. Make sure the vehicle is in ignition key on, engine off (KOEO). When the TPS fails, it'll usually just stop reporting the increases/decreases in this throttle angle voltage. Step 1: Check the code reader As you carry out this procedure, you need to acquire the OBD2 CODE reader, as this tool will allow you to tell the DTC that is present in the memory of the ECU. Connect the scan tool again and switch the car to KOEO mode. The engine then uses that data, alongside other values like RPM, air temp., and mass air flow in determining how much fuel to inject. Slowly push the accelerator pedal as you observe the live data. A TPS diagnostic trouble code (DTC) stored in the PCM's memory: Hard start and/or extended cranking time (after shut off). This test result usually tells you that the TPS is bad. you can always diagnose both the sensor and its circuit with a scan tool. The test will measure the data at various positions, with the throttle being closed, partially open, or fully open. TEST 1: Testing The Throttle Position Sensor Voltage Signal The throttle position sensor's job is to report the angle of the throttle plate. With the red multimeter test lead probe the middle wire of the sensor's connector. From there, the sensor can directly and accurately monitor the position of the throttle. That depends on the make and model of your vehicle. Follow the fuel line … It tells you that the throttle position sensor IS NOT defective. How to perform a TPS sweep test using a digital multimeter and a scope. You can easily contaminate it or damage some of its wires. You can find this tutorial in Spanish here: Cómo Probar El Sensor TPS (3.0L Mitsubishi Montero) (at: autotecnico-online.com). The throttle position sensor location on some cars is usually out in the open. All the generic codes that are related to the TPS range from P0120 to P0124. CASE 2: Your multimeter DID NOT register 4.5 to 5 Volts. The following steps will give you an idea of … To prevent a faulty sensor from causing an incorrect throttle opening for a given set of inputs, which would cause a safety problem, failsafe settings are installed in the vehicle's ECM. If the CEL comes on again, do a 5 to 10-minute drive to see if it will turn off. All the generic codes that are related to the, P0120 - Throttle Position Sensor/Switch A Circuit Malfunction, P0121 - Throttle Position Sensor/Switch A Circuit Range/Performance Problem, P0123 Throttle Position Sensor/Switch A Circuit High Input, P0124 Throttle Position Sensor/Switch A Circuit Intermittent, Warning: always seek professional help when you’re not confident about your DIY repair skills, UK car production plummeted to its lowest level since 1984, Garda checkpoints at all Airports and Ferry Ports, Revenue calms the fears of Northern Ireland car dealers, The MyVehicle Nationwide Market Overview report for December 2020, Importing a Vehicle - VRT Rates, Motor Tax and Import Duty. If you connect a scan tool and get any of those codes, it means that there’s a fault in the TPS and/or the TPS circuit. This is the wire that connects to TPS pin #3 in the illustration above. How to Check the Throttle Position Sensor with a Scan Tool? Because, the TP sensor may be missing either power or Ground. That always results in poor fuel economy and many other issues that you absolutely want to avoid. This increase in voltage should be smooth and without any gaps or skips. To see what one looks like, click here: Wire Piercing Probe Tool.). The presence of any one of them should prompt you to move to the next step. Conversely, it will be almost fully closed when you completely release the accelerator. Connect the black multimeter test lead on the battery negative (-) terminal. How To Test The Throttle Position Sensor (3.0L Mitsubishi Montero), Symptoms Of A Bad Throttle Position Sensor, TEST 1: Testing The Throttle Position Sensor Voltage Signal, TEST 2: Verifying Throttle Position Sensor Has Power, TEST 3: Verifying Throttle Position Sensor Has Ground, Where To Buy Your Throttle Position Sensor And Save, Cómo Probar El Sensor TPS (3.0L Mitsubishi Montero). The engine needs those two to stay running. 1997-2004 3.0L V6 Firing Order (Ignition Coil Spark Plug Wire ID), How To Test The Crank Sensor (1997-2004 3.0L Montero), How To Test The MAF Sensor (1997, 1998 3.0L Mitsubishi Montero), "My wife and I were happy for 20 years. I've looked thru the archives and THINK it could be the Throttle Position Sensor. That’s inclusive of parts and labor. The TPS is so important that if it fails, your car turns into a safety hazard. Since ground is provided by the PCM, the safest way to check for it is with multimeter voltage test. If it (the line) changes abruptly as you press the pedal, that means the TPS is faulty. It will also run efficiently and maintain optimum fuel economy. 6. With the tools in place, you can go forward and test the throttle position sensor. CASE 3: The multimeter DID NOT register any voltage. just to get to the TPS. It rather justifies the steep cost. Ford  |   However, below are some observable signs and symptoms of a bad throttle position sensor: The engine will either idle too slow or stall completely. It won’t idle smoothly, The car will have erratic acceleration. This is a pretty simple test that can be easily be done with a multimeter. As the engine in your pickup or van idles (and the throttle plate is closed), the throttle position sensor sends the ECM a voltage signal of about 0.9 to 1 Volts. TEST 2: Verifying Throttle Position Sensor Has Power If in TEST 1 the throttle position sensor DID NOT report an increasing/decreasing throttle angle voltage as you opened/closed the throttle plate, then we need to make sure that the TPS is being fed power and Ground before concluding the sensor … The most common throttle position sensor code is the P0122 – Throttle Position Sensor/Switch A … Disclaimer. Now, with that said, exactly how does a throttle position work? That, in turn, is determined by how far down you have pushed the accelerator pedal. Once you step on the accelerator pedal, the throttle plate opens and since the TPS is connected to the … The cool thing is that you and I can check this throttle angle voltage signal with a multimeter (no scan tool is needed). Isuzu  |   It’s triggered when the ECU detects that the TPS circuit A is outputting a lower voltage than expected. Here's a basic list of symptoms you'll see: The throttle position sensor's job is to report the angle of the throttle plate. TEST 1: Testing the Throttle Position Sensor … When I disconnect TPS whilst the … Either way, it indicates that your throttle position sensor is bad. Then we met." The throttle position sensor (TPS) can be tested using a simple multimeter and in this tutorial I'll show you how in a step-by-step way. Tap on the make and model of your vehicle notice this when you ’ re NOT confident your... 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