How to Calibrate Throttle Position Sensor Using a Multimeter (Set TPS)

This is the easiest and fastest way to set and test your throttle position sensor. Why do you need to calibrate your TPS? Well the ECU needs to know the position of the throttle so it can determine what it needs to do with ignition timing and fuel injector duration. It will literally impact the way your car drives. This is easily one of the most important steps to verifying that your car is going to perform reliably on the dyno and just driving around town. Hope this video helps.
PCEA,
Boosted John
Like, Comment, Subscribe :)

[@boosted_john]

Forgot to mention that the correct way to test the voltage is to back probe the connector. Not cutting the insulation.

[@sentientsea]

Just a heads up that you can damage your connector by back probing too much/poorly. Be careful. Trust me , I did it! 😅

[@andreuys3578]

well i have issues with vehicle jerking intermittently etc and watched your video and getting a reading of 12v on my tiburon gt

[@doogeerugged89]

@@sentientsea gotta have those green back prob plugs. They're tiny and i've never had an issue. I wouldnt use the blue or black ones

[@Hamzei]

Out of all the videos on how to adjust a TPS, this is the only one that actually explains what to do

[@kennethfeskanich4771]

Just wanted to let you know you saved me hundreds of dollars and a great deal of time with this video. I acquired an 89 c1500 with a recently rebuilt 5.7 after it rear ended me on the hwy. After replacing all the crushed body panels and related pieces, I couldn't get the rough idle and check engine light under control. I was prepared to start shotgunning replacement parts and sensors to see if that would help. I watched your video and thought to myself "heck, I've got a multimeter". 5 minutes to adjust the TPS...no check engine light and idles smooth as silk. Thanks guys!

[@itsmegoomy2364]

I think I am going to have to reprogram mine because I didn't even consider that cleaning the throttle body would be affected. There are some great videos out there and this is one of them! Thank you sir!

[@deathfromabove2250]

At first i was really starting to get pissed off at this video. But then you guys actually put out good information. And the commenting guidelines earned you a subscribe. Thank you!

[@collinhang5127]

I've been looking for a video like this for a year on how to read and use the meter to read the throttle position thanks so much !

[@johnnyperez8833]

About the only video that is simple and straight forward !!

[@daz1876]

Thank you for this video. it fixed my idle problems ive been having for over a year

[@dragan3290]

I ported and polished my Throttle body! On my Australian V6 version of the American Buick based engine. 3.8 litre ecotec. I had a hunting on idle. As in revs were going up and down,then settled. I just lightly adjusted the throttle cable to remove any slack. I replaced a hose with silicone hose in the performance type on my CAI going from my TB to MAF sensor. Strangely it's not hunting anymore! Maybe my old hose had a vacuum leak? Also my 4L60E transmission doesn't slip like it randomly would do. I'm gonna back probe like you did. Top video! It took forever to find a proper tutorial on TPS SENSOR Setting! Subbed and liked. Cheers from Australia 🙂👍👍👍

[@sonzaun5262]

Okayyyyy learning new things every day appreciate it John

[@vtecnerd]

All the information I needed and none I didn’t. Awesome work dudes!

[@darr2970]

Thank You. Very helpful info. Just replaced my whole throttle body with sensor and didn't calibrate it. I have been having issues with the car running rough and some OBD2 error codes. Now I'm going to calibrate it so maybe that might help fix it. I haven't been able to figure out what has been wrong with it so it's been in my garage for quite awhile. Also I had some issues with the wiring. Thanks again for all the info.😊

[@theycallmekensington]

Yeah. You are my go to guys from now on.

[@DJ_Driven]

Back in the day on my mustang 5.0 Fox body the magazine editor's recommended using small safety pins carefully pierced through the wiring with alligator clips on your DVM. These types of maintenance tips are what can give you an advantage at the drag strip.

[@simpleclean2468]

Aye thanks for teaching me a new trick. Quicker than programming TBH.

[@boosted_john]

Yep! Pretty easy method!

[@oswaldpino1038]

Great video the only that tells exactly what to do Thank you

[@user-ju1su4ip2c]

Very helpful i needed to see this video

[@Erik-Weber]

Good video, it was the same as my 1991 4.3 as well.

[@rb30det97]

Very helpful much appreciated cheers

[@stevejones5303]

Very good information

[@ernestardjosentono9851]

Tnxx to teach me something 🤗🤗

[@FUBBA]

I found the little block inside the sensor that seats onto the fork to turn the throttle to be unaligned. By putting it back in the slot it instantly fixed my voltage issue. Could be the tps was put in wrong if it worked fine many times recently before.

[@myPursesuitOfHappiness]

Hi John! 🤗 Great video! TFS LY ❤️

[@boosted_john]

Thanks momma!

[@online-church]

search around videos, this is the best one I think. Now I am relaxed because you mentioned "aftermarket" won't be perfect, so, I am not looking for perfect one online now. By the end, the younger person explained further the key point: the full closed throttle is looking for 0.45 V, this is sooo cut the chase...

[@eriklopez617]

So can I do this to check if my throttle body is failing on my stock b20 ?

[@thesetruths1404]

Hi. I've got a 2003 Montero Limited 3.8L. Twice so far (1,000 miles apart) mine has gone into a condition where it will not accelerate. It idles and starts fine, but will not go over 40mph on level road, and takes a long time to get to that speed (severel minutes). It will be fine one moment and then begin this malfunction in the middle of driving it, in town or on interstate. I do have a TPS sensor code (P2135) but also cam and crankshaft sensors codes. The timing system is fine and it doesn't jerk or do anything strange except refuse to accelerate. I can turn it off and after 20 minutes it will operate fine again. Is the the TPS sensor getting hot and then it fails?

[@Deadpool-nm4ph]

Super helpful and for all cars 0.456?

[@dvidgonzales8376]

I have a certificate in basic electronics and you can buy multimeter test leads that are pin ends from fluke, you need to be patient because the are some of the thinest wires used, I'd put it down near the plastic and patiently wait for a reading.

[@Tomtom62]

Great video guys. What's next if the TPS is good ?

[@tylersowa3858]

Idle air control valve

[@miguelmagallanes8118]

Based off what your friend said if I installed a new tps and calibrated it to .45 volts and runs a little hesitant at times I should re calibrate it? Maybe go up in voltage?

[@aaronhusain1659]

Do I still need to do this with the hondata

[@jamesinstructorbryggs2288]

This 2015 Chevy Spark LT I have starts, Idles, then after 2-3 mins shuts off. If I attempt to drive it with-in those three mins, it only goes 8 or 9mph. When it was purchased(used from Auction) it drove 8-9mph all the home(5-6miles away). any clues or suggestions?

[@renecapeles7526]

correct me if I'm wrong but OEM spec says .5V full closed and between 4~4.5V full open, all depending on the ECU your using

[@boosted_john]

Makes sense. I recommend this.

[@lunarxvibez3758]

Hey was curious I have mine set to .45 when closed but when fully open it’s 5.3 how do I lower it when it’s fully open

[@renecapeles7526]

That seems way off, I would try full opening the throttle. Back probe the signal wire then adjust the tps based off what you get

[@johnnyghoul8100]

I always scribe a crisp clean deep line on my old sensor old throttle body while still in place haven't had any issues just line up the marks and done

[@dagra55]

Hey man so the lowest voltage i can get on mine is .72V. Now before i replaced the tps I remember trying to adjust the throttle cable to compensate for the idle issues, but forgot the ECU will do the things to attempmt a stable idle. Could i just have the throttle cable too tight causing the higher readings of .72 - 5.2V seeing that the tps is what monitors the butterfly?

[@mikejones-vd3fg]

Dont forget to check for dead spots as you sweep from .45 to 5v, i wastching a video and that was his problem it didnt go smoothly up, it went down before it went up again. The TPS is basically a potentimenter with a whiper blade that makes contact, sometimes the contact isnt good or gets corroded and you have a dead spot. I got a TPS error code on mine but no symptoms like rough idiling or low power. Except when i took it on the highway the first time, it did feel like i was pressing the pedal more then i should have... i thought this was in my head trying to be cautious with the car on the highway for the first time but maybe it is a dead spot that isnt noticable until highway speeds. I just got the car so not entirely famliar with it but noticed it was good on gas in the city, good pep too but didnt get much better milage on my highway trip which had me puzzled. Also noticeds the air injection pump relay and fuse were missing, so figured it was attributed to that, until i saw the TPS error code. Maybe it isnt a TPS issue but related the air injection pump basically being shut off. Funny thing is when i try to find what kind of relay it is(to find a replacement), all the videos of my car showing the fuse box have it missing as well, maybe its not critical... i heard it was for emissions, but also heard its for better fuel efficiencey. Anyway a slow sweep of the TPS will reveal for sure. Also heard a fast sweep can cause damage since it generates electricty. Probably being paranoid there but better safe then sorry.

[@aislefoo1]

its ok to do that test with engine running idle?

[@Jazzed_Heifer]

The center wire is the hot wire of the bunch?

[@Spvceman333]

Bought a new tps a few weeks ago, put it on not knowing it had to be set. Couldn’t get it to work for a few days until I moved it to the right spot I guess and the car started up but idled roughly after a minute. Drove it up into my garage and it ended up not starting after playing with the tps a few times. Found this video and got mine set to 0.45 and 4.97 when open throttle but the car still won’t start. Confused now

[@tristanbullock7547]

Did u figure out what it was

[@Chuys_Rd1]

I bought my TPS off PLM & they said it has to be set at 1-2% open and not at 0. Is that on the Hondata side?

[@AR-mb3id]

Should the engine be warm when doing this?

[@meme5887]

Can you adjust it so that you have it open faster like a pedal commander? Of course it'd be locked to that setting until you readjust it..

[@kevinaweseom2866]

It doesn’t move the peddle, it only reads how open it is

[@MuddafukhingdisKUST]

Can you do this with an OBD II scanner's live data function? My TPS is reading 9.8% at idle condition (Foot off the throttle). Can I just plug in the OBD II scanner, switch it to live data, and adjust the TPS until it reads 0% at idle?

[@jeffsheckells5810]

Have you tried this ?? I was thinking the same thing on my 2000 civic

[@tariqgough5394]

Can a bad tps sensor cause a high idle??

[@mpkdk]

is this also doable in a L-jetronic car? with motronic BOSCH ECU?

[@denz4789]

How about ford lynx..is it 4.5 volts also....

[@RandyStClair-li4ss]

I have a 2000 Jeep Wrangler. I am getting code p0123, which is tps high voltage. I replaced the tps but am still getting the code. How do I adjust the voltage? Everything is stock

[@RippSnortin]

Mine has 4 wires, so no middle wire. Which wire would it be e2 or IDL?

[@dannyr333]

Right off the bat I know this gonna b goodie I sed tpms when referring to tps alotta times holy crap that was funy

[@albertocisneros3934]

What type of multimeter is that?

[@MegaMikerojas]

Im getting 0.50 at closed and 4.25 at wot. Any help?

[@austinbates247]

Okay this looks spot on and I haven’t checked mine yet but I upgraded from a stock 64mm body to a 70mm body but when I started the car with everything in right it starts and goes right to 6-8k rpm’s so if and when I run this test you provided with us if mine is just way to high how would I drop it back down using that volt meter? Or do I need a good scanner I can tweak settings with? Please @ me!

[@austinbates247]

Okay my bad totally forgot you just said you can manipulate it by moving it around then tightening back down but say it were still to high then back to my question above^

[@austinbates247]

Okay so I just checked and the smallest DC volt I can get is 5.4 lol so I need to alter the bending in the tps grooves?

[@mrhatchyK24]

​@@austinbates247most likely yea

[@inamrehman8709]

Do you mean the at idle position voltage should be 10% of the voltage value shown at full throttle.. I have toyota 2NZFE 1.3 L with Electronic throttle body without (accelerator cable) , I am trying to adjust throttle stop screw at idle to factory setting.

[@louielou8262]

Thanks John

[@Onlystocks1980]

Does this work on any vehicle? These numbers? I have a 97 Tacoma and I replaced the throttle position sensor and now it idles high.

[@Jazzed_Heifer]

No clue if y’all will reply…but I’ve got a truck that needs to be calibrated but there’s 6 wires vs 3 into the TPS. Which would I connect to? I believe they’re addressed at TPS 1 and TPS 2 with each exact placement letters A-F

[@boosted_john]

Not sure. You would need to find a wiring diagram for your engine harness and locate the tps signal wire

[@lunarxvibez3758]

I did this mine is at .45 when closed and 4.5 when opened and now my idle sits extremely high ?? Any ideas?

[@SBdunks3]

I assume that if I need to adjust the voltage to match .45 I just move the tps by the slots accordingly

[@biglou143]

So do you still have to disconnect the negative terminal to caliberate the tps?

[@mrhatchyK24]

I don't think they did.

[@adamzepeda389]

Just now seeing this but are you putting that tb on the stock manifold? I’m trying to bore out my stock LS mani to put a 70mm skunk2 on didn’t know if that’s been done

[@boosted_john]

Yeah try it! I’m pretty sure it’s possible!

[@AlexPressure777]

thanks

[@boosted_john]

You’re welcome

[@dannyramirez4583]

Is that Mark from what used to be One6 motorsports?

[@rsx_jgonza4310]

I have 74mm skunk2 throttle body and i buy acuity tps sensor for my rsx and whe i plug the tester it shows 4.69 any suggestions why is so high? Thanks

[@lookronjon]

The wires are probably mixed up. Find the wiring diagram for that TPS and check the plug.

[@grandinfinite5921]

So, if the numbers are not within that range, do you rotate the sensor to and fro? Thanks.

[@boosted_john]

Yes

[@yeeloroutdoor2226]

Okay so.. if I just pay attention to the close number (0.45), tighten the sensor, would it automatically be 4.5 at full throttle?

[@boosted_john]

It should be very close if not spot on.

[@PerrysGaming]

Silly question but how do you adjust it if it’s not right?

[@Chuys_Rd1]

Loosen the bolts and turn it left or right

[@user-ks1jr5op1u]

So this could be why my 2016 Chevy Cruze hesitates when I hit the gas? It takes a full 10-15 seconds after I hit the gas for the car to actually start moving

[@jackdunn7652]

Question, my battery is relocated to the trunk. Can I use the negative terminal on a spare battery that is not hooked up to the car?

[@vostok2017]

Просто прикрепите отрицательную клемму DVM к кузову автомобиля.

[@johnlucala1532]

That voltage of 0.4, something it's for any car?

[@ScorpioXXXL]

I'm running a link ECU on my EG. You can calibrate the TPS via the ECU on the Laptop!

[@DJ_Driven]

Been thinking about going with a Link ECU for my Evo 8.

[@MeNtAlCiTyBoY]

Man how much volatage is suppost to go to that middle wire i get zero on a b18 non vtec

[@JasonLee-lv7tm]

Almost listened to this guy until I saw what he did to wiring No professional would do that

[@jcv8337]

Hi I'm jv I saw your video how to calibrate the tps sensor...ok how do I calibrate the tps sensor and the idle screw in my honda civic 1.7l 2002 .....if I can get help with this problem I'll appreciate thanks I hope you can make a video and if can send it to see.... thank you.

[@mrhatchyK24]

He just explained how to calibrate tps. There is a idle screw on the throttle bottle. Look it up on Google it should pop right up

[@jcv8337]

What about in a 2002 honda civic 1.7 vtec is it the same .45 or is different reading

[@mrhatchyK24]

Probably is. Or right around there

[@unclegeorge7845]

Should you have voltage when the key is off?

[@dylanrice8662]

No

[@noodles1376]

I can’t get mine in spec, the voltage is jumping up and down at idle, and WOT won’t go over a volt

[@zynstr]

Can an incorrectly set tps cause a car not to start? Or almost starts but immediately cuts out?

[@boosted_john]

Probably

[@polarborealis688]

Can badly wrong ajusted or not adjusted tps on hondas cause ecu limp mode?

[@tonywagganer5885]

My 06 Kia Sedona has way more than three wires so I can’t do the center wire

[@caseys9650]

How do you actually adjust the voltage when it’s reading incorrectly to get it to .45 ? What do you adjust? I wish you showed how n what you calibrated to get it set right that’s where I’m lost 😞

[@boosted_john]

You gotta rotate the tps

[@alexanderoronov4392]

So how do you adjust these voltages? Is it only by rotating the sensor?

[@boosted_john]

Yep

[@erniecarrasco9107]

So you can change the rotation on the sensor and the voltage also changes. Then you match your max and minimum throttle plate opening to the desired voltage? This video makes it seem like it was already calibrated correctly.

[@mrhatchyK24]

​@@erniecarrasco9107they said it was already calibrated. They explained everything tho

[@erniecarrasco9107]

@@mrhatchyK24 thanks

[@user-uo2np8ff4r]

You shouldn't strip any wire insulation away, you are opening up the wire to corrosion or you might have a heavy hand and cut some to the wires. I would like this video if you had just used a paperclip inserted into the connector.

[@Nolatech001]

Mine is at .46 and dies not adjust as far as I know it's stock

[@danielelamonica9411]

Ciao ho una Nissan Primera 20egt anno 1991 150hp mi potresti dire il valore di calibrazione del mio TPS per favore grazie

[@matias.munozrecabarren9683]

Ami me llegan solo 4.0 volts

[@justinlong977]

Mine has 4 wires

[@dassyndrom4412]

Hi, one say 0,50v other say 0,45v. What is right ? 😅

[@NinxDC4]

Mine is always reading -0.400 and doesnt move from there

[@davidczarco]

Damn I set mine to .5 at idle and 4.4 at full throttle

[@pigeonsil240sx]

you could set it to 4.5v at wot,then use the idle screw to set the closed throttle to 0.48v

[@boost_edjamesmathew2168]

You do realize you can calibrate it on S300 right

[@yavenpersaud6153]

Hey just got s300 is this true?

[@FroztiProductions]

It's .5v closed not .45??

[@christophersanders5007]

I need to adjust a TPS on my Mitsubishi. I am going to try both .5 and .45 volts to see which one feels better. When I was a fleet mechanic on diesel engines I would set the TPS at .5 V closed, and forget the open throttle sweep because factory tolerances the wide open setting would always be off, and it did not effect performance anyway...only the closed setting mattered.

[@FroztiProductions]

@@christophersanders5007 yup exactly adjusting open throttle is pointless anyway, ecu is using map or maf when you're wide open so just get closed throttle perfect and call it a day. Every other video I've seen is .5v but I have the factory service manual so I'll check.

[@walterrumohr7090]

Are you qualified technician or just hit and run mechanics.😂

[@Alan.Garcia01]

1st.

[@eloynunez3432]

This y ur cars never run go take it to a professional

[@joe226825]

You can't be qualified mechanics. Very poor video with mis information etc etc.

[@mrhatchyK24]

I guess you aren't either if your not gonna explain what they did wrong