How to test your Thottle Position sensor (TPS sensor)

[spelunkerd]

Nice demo Anthony. I guess I missed this one when it was first posted.

[fivefortyeye540i]

What is the definition reference voltage? What is reference voltage?

[Kobradude]

@fivefortyeye540i 5v is reference voltage , it's the same for most passenger vehicles . reference voltage is the amount of power given to a component to operate.

[jpsousa4]

My car has been acting funny lately, and there was a code in the car mentioning a TPS.

A friend and I performed this test to see if there were any jumps in the sensor, we didn't find any jumps, however, we did find that the sensor itself went from about .35 volts to 4.5ish volts. Is .35 volts too low an idle voltage for my 91 buick regal?

[rachmaniralf]

@texasrecyclers Hey genious, have you heard of Ohm's "Law"? (quotes are there for a reason). Voltage=current times resistance (ohms). So a varying resistance WILL cause a voltage change that is linearly proportional to this change. While it is usually common practice to use an ohmmeter, its not BS to use a voltmeter

[DIYautotech]

@rachmaniralf Very good reply, thanks rachmaniralf. I couldn't have put it better myself!

[TheJeepWheeler]

@rachmaniralf

You can't even spell Genius...

[rachmaniralf]

@TheJeepWheeler touche

[DIYautotech]

@rachmaniralf You are correct that the varying resistance will cause a voltage change that is linearly proportional, but the DVOM or DMM will not be quick enough to show this response. This is why I'm telling you that a scope is needed for intermittent diagnosis. It would pick those voltage changes up.

Knowledge is useful my friend, but practice is even better. Go try it on a vehicle and you will understand.

[jdubb408]

is the signal wire the 5v the computer sends to the sensor or is it the power wire? if i was to do this on a scope would i need to back probe the ground & signal wire to see if its getting 5v with the correct wave form?

[TheZho9ucxc]

fu k u

[wakeupdaddy3]

Thanks for the info--really appreciate it!! My van is jerking like crazy when I accelerate and I will check this today!!

[TK42138]

Good video.



[DIYautotech]

@texasrecyclers What we're showing here is a test to eliminate a DEAD TPS sensor, not a sensor with intermittent failure. Even with 20k-ohm set on the meter, it wouldn't read the cycle rate fast enough to catch a fault. This is why you would want to use a SCOPE that reads 2 million parts per second. A digital meter only reads about 1000-4000 parts per minute, not NEARLY enough to catch a fault.

I appreciate the comment, but your method of testing is unfortunately incorrect. SUBSCBRIBE

[frankfordbully]

i find it better to do a resistance test using a analog ohm meter or a digital meter with a bar graph..their better for finding "flat spots" in your TPS..

[BR549guy]

@frankfordbully Would a bad TPS explain a "no-code" and "NO CEL" acceleration stumble on my 2002 Mazda B2300? It was running like a Swiss watch and getting 30+mpg. All of a sudden, it started stumbling under anything heavier than a gentle throttle. Other than that, it runs smooth and idles perfectly. Plugs and wires replaced along with A/filter, and I cleaned the MAF sensor.

[lnorton89]

shit video no where do you explain WHERE you are putting multimeter leads.

[DIYautotech]

@lnorton89 At :40 seconds I explain what all three wires are (on this specific application) At :58 seconds I explain what wires are used for reference voltage. At 1:15 seconds I explain how to check signal voltage. At 1:48 I explain what wires to use for a scale test.

Before you talk crap, make sure you actually WATCH the videos. All information was present, stop smoking pot & playing with your dick while watching my videos.

[spelunkerd]

Evidently this is an active circuit even when the engine is not running. Do you need to have the key turned on to see that activity?

[DIYautotech]

@spelunkerd Yes, the key does need to be in the "KOEO" position (Key On Engine Off) to see the available voltage to the sensor. Glad you take the time to comment all of my videos Spelunkerd!

[77camaro]

great video!! newer vehicles will only go 80% to 85% of reference voltage.

[DIYautotech]

@77camaro That is true for some applications, however I still see tons of new cars with reference voltage at 4.4-4.85 Volts. Remember, every single vehicle is different so it is crucial to have the right information available.