Tells you the symptoms when the sensor is damaged

WHAT IS A THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR?

This vital sensor allows your engine to maintain a proper amount of air. This feature is dependent on the throttle valve. When you press down on the gas pedal, your throttle body unit’s valve opens. This causes your throttle position sensor to adjust the engine intake manifold accordingly.

This little sensor is essential to a correct mixture of air and fuel. It’s integrated with your engine control module and helps keep your idling and acceleration smooth. When this sensor is damaged or not working properly, it’s important for you to replace it to restore your vehicle to its full performance and power.

SYMPTOMS OF A FAILED SENSOR

There are many symptoms of a failed throttle position sensor. While some of these symptoms could also be signs of other engine issues, watch out for these symptoms of bad TPS, or throttle position sensor.

The most common symptom is your check engine light. This indicator is a vague symptom, as it could also point to a variety of issues, but you can expect to see it if there’s any issue with your throttle position sensor.

Next, any unusual changes in your acceleration could be linked to this sensor. During your normal driving, consider inspecting your sensor if you experience any of these throttle position sensor symptoms:

• Hesitations during acceleration
• Poor power
• Difficulty and/or delay in gear shifting
• Unusual surges while accelerating

Each of these could be signs that your throttle position sensor isn’t working correctly. Too much airflow or too little could cause poor acceleration performance, but it could also be linked with other engine issues. If you notice your fuel economy has dropped dramatically, it could be a result of an improper fuel and air mixture.

Similarly, if your engine struggles to idle efficiently, it could also be a result of a damaged throttle position sensor. Stalling, surging, or hesitating while idling all can be caused by this unassuming sensor.

The best way to determine if these issues are caused by your throttle position sensor is to go to the source. By using a multimeter, you can determine if the sensor has an electrical connection issue. Check the engine control module for the trouble code that resulted in your illuminated check engine light to see if it is linked with your throttle position sensor. These two steps can also help you determine whether you need to repair, replace or reprogram your sensor.

REPAIR, REPROGRAM, OR REPLACE YOUR SENSOR

Once you’ve gone through the symptoms of a bad throttle position sensor, it’s time to find a solution. Completely replacing your sensor may be the best way to avoid future issues, but some issues can be easily fixed by reprogramming or repairing your sensor.

Reprogramming or resetting your sensor can sometimes solve these issues. This step can also be necessary when you install a new sensor. The easiest way to reset your throttle position sensor is to unhook the negative cable from your battery for up to five minutes or to remove the fuse for your engine control module. Don’t attempt this if you’re uncomfortable working with electricity, as removing the wrong fuse or cable from your battery could be dangerous.Code errors can cause your throttle position sensor to work erratically or incorrectly. Otherwise, you’ll need professional software to reprogram your sensor.

If your sensor just needs repairs, it could be the result of faulty or loose wiring. Just like any other electrical wiring, your throttle position sensor is susceptible to corrosion and faulty connections. Once you’ve established the issue is with your sensor and that it isn’t a programming fault, check the wiring and connection points before purchasing a new one.

Finally, sometimes your sensor is irreparably damaged. A broken sensor needs to be replaced in order to restore full functionality to your vehicle.

If your vehicle is having engine issues, it can be difficult to find the culprit. Many different components, including the throttle body system, work together to provide the engine with smooth acceleration. If you’re concerned with the throttle body or are experiencing acceleration and idling issues, review these throttle body symptoms to determine whether your vehicle needs a new throttle position sensor and what you can do to repair, replace or reprogram your sensor.