How To Test and Replace the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) P0120

The throttle position sensor responds to the accelerator pedal movement. The sensor detects the opening and closing of the throttle valve and feeds that info to the vehicle's computer. This was performed on a 1997 Nissan Maxima. Check with your vehicle's repair manual for testing parameters.
» How to adjust the sensor - • How To Replace and Adj...
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P0120 - An excessively low or high voltage from the sensor is entered to ECM. Or, rationally incorrect voltage is entered to ECM compared with the signals from mass air flow sensor, crankshaft position sensor (POS) and IACV-AAC valve.
Note:
Any attempt to repair automotive parts and/or systems carries risk of personal injury. Always adhere and follow safe practices when working on vehicles. Such as, safety glasses, jack stands, no loose clothing, etc. No guarantee or warranty is implied. Use the information in this video at your own risk. Carsntoys is a member of the Amazon Influencer Program.
Publication, reproduction or distribution of this film is strictly prohibited.
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[@raypablo5113]

Man...really love this upload so helpfuj its getting a LIKE from me

[@ericrigoroso4445]

i really appreciate for what your doing. you are awesome! i have a Maxima 1998 and i been fixing my car. you save me a lot of money. if it wasn't for you......i don't think my car will get fixed. God bless you and keep doing what your doing.

[@CarsNToys]

I appreciate the feedback and glad to help.

[@monsierlemaire8282]

Very helpful. Thank you!

[@tonymillin9038]

Thanks. Your video made me think! I had a look at the throttle body connector on the coil top (I think) and pushed it and it "clicked".. oviously loose somehow. Started the car, revved beautifully and "coil" warning light went off. Thanks gain!

[@Ivan-qq6dj]

awesome video thank you

[@yannmasoch]

Thank you for your very well explained video! I will test my car tomorrow following your instructions.

[@CarsNToys]

Yann Masoch Glad to help, Yann. Cheers

[@woolley1554]

Great vidieo my car has been into 2 garages neither could solve the problem, watched a few vidieos but they were in double Dutch after replacing all the obvious parts I was back to square 1.Juat done this test and discovered that voltage is down hence code P0122.many thanks you are on my xmas card list👍

[@CarsNToys]

Awesome! Glad it worked out.

[@leongkokonn5496]

Thank you, it really help !!

[@CarsNToys]

Awesome. Glad to help.

[@rex366]

thank for the vid good info

[@firstmultimedia5968]

thanks is there an initial voltage reading from the signal cable pin to ground? while ignition ON and and unplugged TPS sensor?

[@chemapa]

Very helpful

[@manilakid3]

You need to get your Full Service Manual. My terminals for the Throttle Position Sensor harness are opposite of this example. So in my car its (3,2,1) Thanks for the vid.

[@mkdalraisi307]

Great video, thanks for the DIY

[@CarsNToys]

Glad to help, Motasim.

[@mkdalraisi307]

But what if I have an idle screw on the TB to adjust,?

[@CarsNToys]

You usually keep that alone. Unlike a carburetor, your vehicle's computer makes all of the adjustments for you.

[@esme8ruja]

Best video ever

[@Dave-jc6ky]

Which contact points on the TPS are you using for the resistance test? Across which two contacts are you checking for resistance?

[@ipaporod]

Correcion, at Full close throttle and WOTwhat we are looking for are volts reading (usually .50v fully closed to 5.0v WOT) NOT ohms reading!

[@user-cs2od9fs5l]

Very good

[@user-cs2od9fs5l]

تحياتنا من العراق لك

[@funtoadebowale8737]

Thanks for your guide in replacement of throttle position sensor. Do you have the idea of throttle sensor in Renault Scenic? Thanks

[@AWonderfullLife]

Which section of the factory service manual is the component testing specs, EM.pdf, EL.pdf, EC.pdf? I can't find it and there are so many service manual subsections. Thanks!

[@MyAccountBitch]

Thanks mang. I'm gonna test mine right now

[@CarsNToys]

MyAccountBitch Good stuff man!

[@MyAccountBitch]

Tested and it's fine. The reason I did is because my truck is being a bit sluggish (3.0L V6 3VZE 4runner. 1991.) I know these trucks are already slow, but going uphill seems to be a real chore. I just changed my fuel filter, hopefully that will help. Any other suggestions? Do you think my cat could be clogged? Timing needs adjusting? Maybe the timing belt is a tooth off? :S That is the last thing I want. ahahah.

[@CarsNToys]

MyAccountBitch Have you checked for vacuum & exhaust leaks? Clean air filter? I would check the timing as well.

[@MyAccountBitch]

I am going to be buying a timing light soon. I just installed a cold air intake. How do I test for vacuum leaks? pull the brake booster hose and "blow" smoke into it?

[@CarsNToys]

MyAccountBitch Using cigar smoke will do the trick. You can often hear vacuum leaks as well. Scotty Kilmer has a video checking for vacuum leaks with a cigar. Just search under his channel.

[@RogerPack]

Did I miss something? was the "repace TPS" part in here?

[@mmlindsey8635]

AGREE

[@jorgemcaldas]

Hi can u tell me where goes the red and black cable of multimeter into the harmness.Thank u.

[@jludtxs]

It's ok if the ground readings bounce all over? mine did too.

[@m.m1048]

Hi can i check electeonic throttle body with this methode?

[@RoccoDemonikDeLuca]

Looks like Nissan anticipated this failure to be common. I notice you are able to perform the rest with the harness disconnected, actually probing both leads while sweeping the sensor. A setup with one, 3 wire connector needs to be connected therefore one would have to probe the signal circuit while sweeping, to achieve a reading.

[@CarsNToys]

Yes, some sensors must be connected to perform tests; such as the mass air flow sensor.

[@justinw523]

Hey CarsNToys I have a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado Z71 and on my ground wire at the connector I’m getting 11.2 ohms and my volts is 5.1, does that mean my pcm isn’t getting a good ground connection and I should make a better ground?

[@sblagg527]

Hello, hoping you can help me out- I have a 99 Maxima same exact setup as your 97 in the video- a few weeks ago it started missing on cylinder 5 (threw a code saying it was a misfire on #5) so I replaced the coil and the plug for that cylinder. That fixed the miss but the car seemed to idle pretty low after that while in gear-- it would idle down to about 500 RPMs when stopped in drive after engine warmed up (idle in neutral or park seemed OK though-- right at 700 RPMs like you discuss in the video.) So, I tried following your steps for adjusting the throttle position sensor in your other video, by rotating the sensor a bit. The voltage seems good at 5.8 volts, and I have a bit higher idle in gear now (about 600 RPMs), but now when the car is cold and I start it and then shift it from Park to Drive, it SLAMS into gear which it did not do before. After the engine is warmed up, if I repeat this procedure it seems fine- only slams when I start it cold. (And this is just physically shifting the transmission from Park to Drive, while driving the car shifts fine.) Hoping you can give a bit of advice on how to fix this! Thanks

[@benjaminvargas4073]

s blagg did you get a solution?

[@OldVoiceofToday]

Around 4:21 you were doing something and I don't know what. Were you testing the connector or the sensor. Where do you put the testing leads on either.

[@CarsNToys]

+OldVoiceofToday I was testing the sensor itself.

[@chemapa]

I have a Nissan cefiro a33 using one accelerator cable. Can that be a problem?

[@eddybourland7338]

02 tauras unplugged.tps now car runs better will this harm anything

[@eddybourland7338]

02 tauras unplugged tps car runs better but still has hard shift from first to second gear

[@frankmontez6853]

Anyone know why both O'Reilly and Auto Zone both have the picture of the sensor wrong on a 06 Nissan Sentra 1.8 L ? It doesn't look like it at all. And what looks like the sensor has rivets not screws / bolts. I guess it can't be removed by itself?

[@karlengbino7530]

where did you tap the positive and ground probe when you measured the resistance while varying the throttle valve

[@CarsNToys]

Terminals 3 & 2 on the sensor.

[@karlengbino7530]

Hey I did my testing and these are the values. Closed throttle - 4.54 V Fully Open - 0.2 V ^Is this normal for other models? I slowly opened my throttle valve, and from 4.54V it jumped to 0.2V. It didnt decrease gradually. Same thing when I slowly closed my throttle valve, from 0.2V it jumped to 4.54V. Is this normal for other models?

[@mkdalraisi307]

Hi there, this is what I got When fully closed 1.8 OHMS When fully opened 2.2 Do I have a faulty sensor or I have to tilt the sensor?

[@CarsNToys]

What kind of car are you testing? Generally you want to see higher resistance (ohms) as you open the throttle.

[@mkdalraisi307]

It's Hondas TPS and TB used on my turbocharged Peugeot do I have to check the voltage when turning the butterfly or OHMS? I'll be replacing the sensor anyways to start a perfect and clean process

[@CarsNToys]

The voltage check is used to verify power is getting from the harness connector to the TPS.To check the TPS, do an ohms test while turning the butterfly. With the butterfly closed, the ohms reading should be low. (On my vehicle it's under .5 ohms) As you open the butterfly, the ohms should increase up until full throttle.

[@mkdalraisi307]

I have the same TPS like the thread below showing and almost same TB www.pakwheels.com/forums/performance-modification-tune-up-preventive-maintenance/193812-tps-calibration-pics-honda-lovers-4 why he is checking the voltage?! Instead of OHMS! 

[@CarsNToys]

That's perfectly fine.

[@ivsdagreat7600]

Hey there I have a 2003 Chevy Trailblazer and I am getting a code P0507

[@AutumnMcGrew]

Very informative video but it does not actually show how to replace the throttle position sensor as suggested in the title.

[@stayup1217]

Good video, However, I was confused on the last reading; the reading did read correctly at closed throttle like you said (ballpark .5 .6 ohms). But as you opened the throttle, the reading went up to 1.42 ohms. Was this full open throttle? Then you said, you "pinpointed the problem". Should the reading have gone higher than 1.42 at full open throttle? I believe you said "as you open the throttle, it should increase slightly up to 4 ohms" but you didn't specify at full open throttle. Thanks.

[@CarsNToys]

+Lood Brighton Thanks. It wasn't full throttle. I just opened the throttle and watched the corresponding ohms reading.For this vehicle, full open throttle should yield 4.0 k ohms.

[@stayup1217]

Thanks for the response. I appreciate it. I am going to check my 2000 Accord today...should be 5.0 k ohms at full open throttle according to Honda. Again, Great Video!

[@austingunderson9847]

Can U reasonably drive a car with a semi dysfunctional tps

[@CarsNToys]

Austin Gunderson If the ECM enters fail safe mode then you're stuck under 3k rpms but it's doable for short distances.

[@MultiSexyliz]

how to relearn the 2004 suzuki liana throttle body

[@34lanesboro]

hi my sensor reads 4.5 volts at CLOSED throttle and .9 at OPEN throttle what could be the problem? i have surges in acceleration randomly. my car is a 2000 jetta 2.0

[@CarsNToys]

Aj Sabanski Do you have any other trouble codes?

[@jomarybanez164]

hey bro can i ask u wat is likely cause of my car revving up and down from 1500 to 1800 rom . but on 2000 rpm it is in normal mode

[@CarsNToys]

It could be a number of things, such as a bad idle air control valve, throttle position sensor, egr system, etc. Any trouble codes?

[@jomarybanez164]

MIL light is off wen starting. I located the tps but wud u tell me wer the iav usually is Nissan maxima 2001

[@CarsNToys]

Here you go - kzbin.info/www/bejne/eIrYg36wqNajY8k

[@jessel2520]

Hey, I have a 92 maxima I tested the sensor, instead of ohms gradually increasing when I open the throttle like they do in your video they drop.. shouldn't they be increasing? Would the sensor be shot if ohms decrease? Thanks for any info..

[@CarsNToys]

Jesse Lodema Ohms should definitely increase. On your vehicle, the harness connector for the throttle position sensor has three terminals. If you look at the harness connector with the notch straight up (where you place your finger to press down and remove the harness connector) you want to test the left terminal and middle terminal.

[@jessel2520]

Thanks for the info, that's what I thought. The other one was the black wire which would be ground, I had a solid 5 volts but when I did the throttle sweep the ohms went from 10 ohms or so n down to 1 at fully open throttle..

[@CarsNToys]

Jesse Lodema What's the issue you're having with your car? Are you getting code p0120 or you're just searching around?

[@jessel2520]

CarsNToys I just double checked it n the ohms are starting out around 10.5 k ohms n drop smoothly to about 2.5 ohms. My car had been lacking power in lower rpm's and feels like she wants to stall out when I come to a stand still. It was very shaky the other day, I cleaned the intake manifold, throttle bodies, iacv, New fuel filter, plugs, wires, distributor cap, rotor, and most vacuum lines.. It runs alot better now but I can still feel a little hesitation when I accelerate and when it idles in gear. It idle fine most of the time in park or neutral Also when I start it cold it isles high, drops down like it should when it warms up but then if I kill it and start it right back up it revs high again like it's cold. I Dk if there separate issues or both possibly due to tps.. hopefully I don't drop 60$ on a tps and find out it wasn't the problem lol....it's gotta be part of the problem tho right? Lol thanks man!

[@jessel2520]

CarsNToys n yea I was just searching around, my check engine light never came up but I don't have an obd2 port either.

[@amberfoster8349]

I have a 1988 Toyota EFI v6 3.0 and the motor is a 3evz-e. I have the book for it but it doesn't have the information I need to test it can you help me?

[@CarsNToys]

***** Probably. Try obtaining an ohms reading from the sensor. Place your multi-meter to the kilo (k) ohms setting and you should have a reading. (On older Nissan's, the reading is 1 kiloohms without touching the sensor and can go up to 9 kiloohms when the sensor is fully depressed.) If you cannot get a reading then chances are the sensor is dead. (If you need a reference regarding kiloohms, I just uploaded a video for p0110 intake air temp sensor. In this video I use the kiloohms setting on the multi meter.) Good luck!

[@heeyee9765]

sir,i have question.why is it my tps voltage read 10.33 which usual car all run with just 5voltage?is there anywhere to solve it?

[@heeyee9765]

i tried with my multimeter test which read: close throttle 0.92Volt full open plate 10.24Volt

[@CarsNToys]

What kind of vehicle?

[@Overkill1978]

I have this model of car, and I'm curious: If the harness to the TPS is the brown connector, what's the grey one?

[@CarsNToys]

+Antonio Java What year is your Maxima?

[@Overkill1978]

+CarsNToys It's a 1999. We call it "Cefiro" where I am, but it's the exact same model as your Maxima (chassis A32). Everything under my hood looks exactly the same as your video. :) I wonder about the TPS though because on other cars, there's only that one connector with three prongs. In yours and mine, there are two connectors with three prongs each.

[@Overkill1978]

+CarsNToys Also, what prongs did you test when you tested the TPS? The two outer prongs?

[@CarsNToys]

+Antonio Java Two outer left prongs. I'll have to look up what the grey wire is for.

[@Overkill1978]

+CarsNToys Nice. Thanks! :) As I said on your IAC video, your tutorials helped me a lot. my TPS turned out to be the problem, but instead of being defective, my car being idle for so long apparently needed to have the TPS readjusted slightly. Now that it's running, I'm likely going to have this brought in for an oil/spark plug change and a good tune-up.

[@InTense864]

The tps was unconnected while testing?

[@kflo01]

I am getting error code P0733 which I have read said it is the TPS sensor. How many hours labor is this to fix on a 2002 Nissan Altima 2.5?

[@CarsNToys]

Hey kflo01. Are you sure the code is P0733? This is an automatic transmission trouble code. Specifically, this is a malfunction detected when the automatic transmission does not shift into third gear.

[@kflo01]

I havent taken it to another shop yet to get a 2nd opinion but they said it was error code P0733. Ok here is what happend kinda long read then you can tell me what yout hink. This may be a long read. I just want to detail all the info so the long time experts here can make a good guess on whats wrong with my car. Ok here we go...I live in New York State....so its cold and theres snow. Oh car is a 2002 Nissan Altima 2.5 Monday: Car cranks kinda slow in the morning on the way to work and when I leave work at 5 doesnt start. I get a jump and go home. Tuesday: Car starts fine in the morning and on my way home from work. Wednesday: Car barely starts, it bitterly cold out (8 degrees in the morning) I drive to work about 15 minutes later it dies putting my foot on the gas does nothing. I get a jump. and pull off it acts like it doesnt want to go anywhere but then pulls off.....drive another 10 to 15 minutes it dies again. I get a 2nd jump and the guy looks at the positive post on my battery and said it needs to be cleaned lots of corrison on it. After it shut off the nd time the service engine light popped on. I hurry and take it to a shop after the 2nd jump afarid it will die a 3rd time on the highway. Shop says I need a battery & alternator cost: 566 plus tax. Plus he said the error code was P0733 I dont have that money so I get only the battery and make a 30 minute drive back home. That night I take it out fora quick trip to the supermarket and back home Thursday: I dont move or start the car at all due to a big snow storm. Friday (today): I go to auto zone to pick up a alternator but I have the guy working there test it. He says the alternator is not bad. So I get my rear break done instead. I pick the car up.....now its night time.... 10 minutes into driving it car barely is moing even though I have my foot on the gas. I stop it turn it off and try to start it again it wont start. I get a jump within 5 minutes and take off again to try to make it home..........10 minutes later it starts doing the same thing....foot on gas...barely moving....after .it does that I put it in park, or neutral and rev the gas it revs fine. Put it in drive wont rev.........after about 2 minutes of it in barely moving (like 5 mph if that) I can now drive like normal. It just revs on its own and goes fine no problems the rest of my trip home (about 5 minutes). Saturday: I replaced the alternator and we check the transmission fluid levels. The levels were almost bone dry. we put 2 qurats in changed the alternator and now its running fine but the SES light is still on. CarsNToys

[@CarsNToys]

Any other codes besides P0733? Even though you placed two quarts of tranny fluid, have you checked the level?

[@kflo01]

CarsNToys Levels were fine after the fluid was added. I havent checked today but thers no puddles under my car. Would be esy to see with the snow.

[@TheGoloso72]

Great video and just a question....what about the other connector whit the others 3 cables??

[@joharaATL]

that's good thanks but you didn't show how to replace it

[@NoNo-jk5ij]

Yep! Same....

[@c-yabugginout7573]

You have to buy that info...LOLOLOL

[@ContemporaryCompendium]

Sooooooooo what did you replace?

[@sirsweetness8332]

What setting of ohms?

[@nunya___]

He's really just checking that he has a good ground so the Ohms, value isn't that important. If you set to 100 ohms scale you should go from 1 (Open/no circuit) to 0 or 000 or some other low-ohm value. If you set a higher range like 1K or more ohms scale, you'll get fluctuating readings as shown in the video. Btw he was set a 2k (2000 ohms) scale.

[@BoomerActual]

so the problem was with the sensor itself because the ohms reading started to go up or it didnt go up enough?

[@CarsNToys]

Overwatch No, this sensor works fine. I just shot a video showing the steps involved to diagnose and pinpoint where the problem is.

[@pokertodeath]

CarsNToys you made a mistake at the end where you said "we pinpointed the problem". I was similiarly confused. Also, the title is a bit off, as you don't actually replace the sensor. I was still happy to know how to test it though thanks for the video.

[@karlengbino7530]

my signal wire is at ~12V. what could cause this?

[@toronjillo2]

Mine says 50.6 vlts

[@skyline77780]

hi man fnx you for this video its so helpful .. I have sentra 1999 model and it have problem an acceleration when I reach 45 the RPM get down from 2.5 RPM to 1.3 RPM with not accept press the pedal only when I press deeper it respond for a moments .. I used device scaner and it shown the TPS sensor circuit open or short and MAF sensor circuit open or short .. then I took a used throttle with all the sensor and replace it and doesnt work any difference .. then after I checked the sensors voltage like what you do (tps) and the TPS sensor got out 0.45v with out crank the engine and when I press the pedal full open it show 5.12v. its look good now .. but when i crank the engine and check it again and press the full pedal it ONLY SHOW 0.93v . whats the problem over now?1

[@krisxciii]

I have a 2000 Ranger 3l v6. I get 4.97v on 5v power wire, 14.1 resistance on ground. So those both are good but I get 1.21 clossed throtte & 4.64 WOT with no issues when increase/decrease idle. is 1.21 high for clossed throttle?

[@MrGoogelaar]

"You should see some resistance here" 2:40" This is technically not correct, the I that you see on the meter means Infinity which means high resistance, what you are actually looking for is continuity between the negative of the battery and the negative terminal on the TPS's connector and not resistance, the lower the resistance the better. When the meter is displaying the I there is resistance, you made it sound as if the I is displayed there is no resistance.

[@gradyhernandez4699]

Nissan versa 2015..foot gas pedal sensor

[@KingKing-rz6wp]

It's only for this type of care

[@frankie11209]

Bro waiting for a 2014 video

[@CarsNToys]

Been crazy busy. Will have a few up by the end of January

[@NoNo-jk5ij]

Could you, if at all possible, change your Title of this video??? If not, as pointed out by many comments, at least put a link to a video showing how to also REPLACE the TPS..... ??

[@CarsNToys]

+No No I'll post a follow up shortly. I appreciate the feedback. Cheers

[@NoNo-jk5ij]

+CarsNToys You too, mate! Thx!

[@timtim608]

This video does NOT show how to replace the sensor. :-(

[@NoNo-jk5ij]

I was just gonna say the same thing....

[@gradyhernandez4699]

It's easy to replace

[@algray7587]

the video doesn't show what the tps looks like or how to replace it. Maybe it should be titles "How to test the TSP"

[@KingKing-rz6wp]

Didnt show us where to set your omh meter to

[@curtisstevens3869]

take the "and Replace" outta the title you just showed testing

[@hesskidsounds]

Where is the bonnet sensor

[@Smittyschannel]

you showed how to test it, but not how to replace it

[@fdomino]

test is incomplete read your manual

[@motochiptuning]

who checks ground by resinstance:))) youkame me laught,pu to ground pin and put on + of a battery and you got 12v if not theres a problem,checking by resistandce is false and innacurate

[@phansam9833]

Short? You mean a open wire. If you have a short your car will burn down.

[@baeroye]

So where was the replace part ... waste of my time no ty

[@jeremydavis2595]

He has a separate video on that. Hope that helps

[@CarsNToys]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5aTdHV7id2ed9E

[@mkdalraisi307]

Hi there, this is what I got When fully closed 1.8 OHMS When fully opened 2.2 Do I have a faulty sensor or I have to tilt the sensor?

[@slyonme]

+Motasim Al Raisi your sensor its fine...its only when its way off or theres no reading thats when you need to buy one..

[@ivsdagreat7600]

Hey there I have a 2003 Chevy Trailblazer and I am getting a code P0507

[@ivsdagreat7600]

Any help would be appreciated thank you

[@CarsNToys]

Hi IVS. That's a trouble code for idle speed; specifically if idle is 200 RPMs or more above target idle. It could be a simple intake air leak, PCV system (I have a video showing how to replace a PCV valve) or the throttle control actuator. Check out Scotty Kilmer's channel as well. He has a few videos regarding air intake leaks and how to find them. Good luck.

[@ivsdagreat7600]

Thank you for your quick response

[@CarsNToys]

Glad to help. Cheers

[@ivsdagreat7600]

So would that definitely be a leak.. because when I first start the car in the morning it sounds normal but after a while of running the engine it starts acting up when I accelerate the engine rides and sound smooth but when my foot its off the gas pedal the rpm starts going up n down.