How to test throttle position sensor wiring with a resistor (any car)

If you follow a manufacture flow chart when troubleshooting computer inputs and outputs, they almost always have you disconnect the computer and sensor to perform resistance measurements on the wiring to isolate the problem. This is a very time consuming process that can be completely bypassed with even better and more accurate results following my methods. In this video I will show you how to quickly and safely check the wiring, sensor and computer using scan data and a 5000 ohm resistor. An incandescent test light may be used as a substitute for the 5k ohm resistor.
Engine Performance Diagnostics chapter 10
Tests shown
- how to quickly test sensor wiring (any 3 wire potentiometer or pressure sensor circuit on any car)
Tools used
- 5k ohm resistor (incandescent test light may be used instead)
- digital multimeter
- scan tool
- backprobing pins
Playlist
- (Chapters 9, 10 and 11) The 5v Reference and Signal Circuit Quick Tests
• (Chapters 9, 10 and 11...
Related videos
- Power Steering Pressure Sensor Test (P0550) - Toyota
• Power Steering Pressur...
- How to test a throttle position sensor (P0121, P0122) GM wiring integrity • How to test a throttle...
- How to test TPS wiring with a scan tool (any car)
• How to test TPS wiring...
- How to test an EGR DPFE sensor (EGR flow test) - Ford, Lincoln, Mercury • P0405 EGR Sensor A Cir...
For more information on this topic, I have written a “field manual” called Engine Performance Diagnostics which is available at www.scannerdanner.com as an eBook or paper book.
Want even more diagnostic training? Whether you are a DIY trying to fix your own car, someone looking to become an auto technician, or a current auto technician that wants to get more into diagnostics, subscribe to ScannerDanner Premium www.scannerdanner.com/join-sc... There is a 14 day free trial.
On ScannerDanner Premium I will bring you right into my classroom at Rosedale Technical College. You will find page for page lectures taken right from my book as well as exclusive classroom type case studies. What is so special about these classroom case studies? I pull live problem vehicles directly into my classroom and we troubleshoot them in real time, using and applying the theory and testing procedures we learn during the classroom lectures. There is no better on-line training of how to troubleshoot automotive electrical and electronics systems anywhere!
Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of ScannerDanner LLC, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. ScannerDanner LLC assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. ScannerDanner LLC recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of ScannerDanner LLC, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not ScannerDanner LLC.

[@averydomingue4638]

no one is as thorough and meticulous as Paul.....NO one. I watch other repair channels sometimes and I always come back to scannerdanner because no one else on youtube has the level of expertise. I bought your Ebook. it is awesome.

[@ScannerDanner]

thank you so much!

[@cobbysparks9891]

Yup. There is only one ScannerDanner aka Dan..sorry I mean Paul lol

[@BigDogDiagnostics]

Absolutely love this whole 5v ref series! It’s so incredibly vital to understand these circuits we work on. you have a very strong passion for the industry and gift for teaching. Thank you Paul, for the unbelievable amount of hours you have invested in teaching others. It’s extremely appreciated by so many! 🤘

[@ScannerDanner]

Thank you so much!

[@ScannerDanner]

Thanks man. I've been doing this test for over a decade and never had an issue. I was mainly using it to ensure that the signal wire was not open. After thinking about what would happen if the signal wire was shorted to ground (not common), I felt the need to modify this test.

[@blinkskaterkc]

Hey scannerDanner, great vids! Keep up the great work, I am learning a ton! I predict you grow in popularity a TON within a couple of years. I'm subscribed!

[@tomwilson5201]

Awesome! You make it look easy Mr.Danner.

[@hughvanzyl549]

I keep watching this video. So awesome and in detail. You are an awesome teacher.

[@ScannerDanner]

Thank you so much for the feedback. I'm am glad to help my friend.

[@TRcustomengineering]

Thanks for the update Paul! I'll do it like this for now on. Thanks again.

[@felplayvina]

Hi Paul, using a resistor that really great test I did it and fix the problem, thank you, you have no idea how much I Am learning from you, I Am not a pro but just for the records the owner took his car two times to the dealership end they never fix it, so you did it...

[@rickmoore215]

Bout F*#KIN time!! I highly appreciate people of your caliber, highly appreciate. Confidently utilizing proper automotive terms helps TREMENDOUSLY Sir! Again, HIGHLY appreciated. ..thank you. --Rick

[@pabloarevalodelaguila8767]

Buenísimo enseñanzas como la que usted da no las hay en otro lugar. Eres genial.

[@peterebanks1500]

Great videos. Wish I had found you during Covid 2020. I’d have a degree by now in auto tech and repair.

[@ScannerDanner]

Wow, thanks! I'm glad you're here now. Welcome. Love those who want to learn 🙂

[@ricklarson9524]

ScannerDanner. I was having a problem with a 1998 Dakota 2.5 ltr. TPS P0123 high voltage code. I am a retired military veteran as an auto tech. I am ASE Master Auto and truck tech. I watched your You Tube video of the Grand Cherokee TPS no voltage signal problem. The one thing you said helped me to diagnose this dakota. You said " an open or high resistance ground circuit would cause a high signal voltage. I had a broken wire to rear of engine from 02 sensor circuit black wire but all my sensor wires are from pin 4 at ecm. TPS voltages were 5.47 vdc including signal return. Ground resistance was 18k ohm minimum to 33k at all sensors. I could not find were the BLU/BLK ecm ground tied to the black 02 sensor but now all the sensor ground circuit wires back to the ecm are 0.3 ohm. haven't reassembled as of yet but I believe the problem is gone. Thanks for the good info. Rick Larson, RNL Auto Repair Inc., Easley SC

[@jetskioremor6692]

Great teacher learning a lot,thanks dannerscanner,ordering your book soon.

[@arthurfricchione8119]

Great video in fact enjoy all of your videos especially ones pertaining to Hondas and general repair and diagnosis videos which can be applied to most vehicles thanks Artie

[@figibloom]

Hey ScannerDanner I really like watching your videos. I always seem to learn something new. So thank you for sharing your knowledge, and cool test by the way. I think I will use that technique in the future as a safeguard. Watching your video towards the end at around 14:40 when you were going over jumping the 5K ohm resistor between the 5v wire and signal wire. You mentioned how the 5v would not have a voltage drop and be lower on the signal wire because of no current flow, and that it is just going to a voltmeter inside the PCM. In my mind, I see a series circuit with two loads in it (1 being the 5k resistor, and 2 being the voltmeter itself inside the PCM) The way I see it current should still flow across both loads and the voltage should drop proportionately based on the resistance of each load. So if you have 5v supply and R1 is 5k ohm and R2 is 10,000,000 ohms (typical volt meter internal resistance or so I thought) So doing the ohms law math I came up with about a .049 Volt drop (give or take a few) across the 5k ohm resistor and about a 4.95 volt drop across the meter. Would it not work that way? I think I saw a tiny volt drop when you showed the test around 6:30 in your video. With 5k ohm resistor in place your meter shown 5.01 V on ref side and on the signal side it shown 4.99 V. Would that not be a voltage drop and current flow happening there. I think having such a high resistance circuit makes the current super super super low, and almost completely gone (really probably not even measurable current, without expensive equipment), but even though the resistance is high in the circuit and the current is low, there are still measurable voltage drops going on in this circuit, I think. Just hard to see it, but if you replaced the 5k ohm resistor in R1 with a 10Mega ohm resistor (something closer to the meter value you would see the voltage drop better). I would think in that case you would be able to see the voltage drop much clearer and have equal or much closer voltage drops across the resistor and meter, probably around 2.5V on each in this circuit. Anyway just something I was thinking about, and I was curious what your thoughts are on it. Well thanks again for the awesome lesson, I appreciate it. Thumbs up from me. I will be subscribing to your channel and watching more of your videos. Thanks for your time and have a good day sir.

[@claudionorjose3640]

Parabéns amigo, gostei muito da seriedade e do profissionalismo em que explicou o uso do resistor de 5k ohms na verificação do circuito (chicote central). Agradeço pelos conhecimentos e com isso (estou treinando inglês para um dia poder trabalhar nos USA) Abrigado

[@victor35ma]

Thanks for clarifying this.. it is actually a new lesson from you. thankxs

[@ScannerDanner]

anytime my friend. I never have a problem answering intelligent questions

[@reinaldogonzalez6045]

I have a 1994 pickup with 22re motor, 4 cil, 2wd, no power steering, I have no problem identifying the 5v cable, my tps has 4 pins, how can I identify the signal wire? Another question where do you sell your book?

[@reinaldogonzalez6045]

Another question, can I use a 10k resistor or have to be 5 k?

[@ScannerDanner]

Go to my website listed on my youtube channel page. I cannot post the link here. The ebook is $49.95 and is NOT vehicle specific. You will have access to the book immediately after purchase no matter where you live in the world. Thanks for your interest.

[@stevemazzarella9259]

I was taught the same way!!! Good video.... we live in the same State but we have better sports teams... Eagles!!!

[@claudionorjose3640]

Parabéns amigo, gostei muito da seriedade e do profissionalismo em que explicou o uso do resistor de 5k ohms na verificação do circuito (chicote central). Agradeço pelos conhecimentos e com isso estrou treinando inglês para um dia poder trabalhar nos USA Abrigado.

[@rpmpamintuan7338]

Awesome ,watching all your videos its really makes me the same as what i am doing, i used more offen jumping methode instead of changing the pcm immediately. We have to disconnect some and add to modify the system. 👍👍👍👍

[@ScannerDanner]

No problem bro. Just want to be as cautious as possible. Especially when we do testing "outside of the box". I am going to change the ebook to match soon, so look for it.

[@nickayivor8432]

SUBSTANTIAL Sir ScannerDanner Thanks 👍 very much helpful video Sir ScannerDanner From Nick Ayivor from London England UK 🇬🇧

[@dfigueroa903]

Great videos and class

[@felplayvina]

yep thank for you reply Paul, and thank for you time.

[@ScannerDanner]

Yes it is and thank you

[@Kickbasser]

Awesome information!

[@MaheshBabu-ss8oj]

LUV U SIR THE BEST I HAVE EVER SEEN .......

[@SteveRobReviews]

Well done!!

[@user-pw8yu7nd7p]

Very good video

[@emmanuelrobert1216]

I Salute you Captain

[@carolrussell4921]

love your case study but i wish the premium was open to the bahamas. because its help me alot.just want to say thanks and may god keep you and your family.

[@ScannerDanner]

I'm sorry Carol, It should be. KZbin places these restrictions on the paid channels. There is a way around it though and that is by using a VPN scannerdanner.com/forum/scannerdanner-premium/475-access-to-sd-premium-in-non-listed-countries.html

[@carolrussell4921]

Thank you so much

[@jahrain1693]

i want to be ur friend

[@rjgrasmuck62]

BRILLIANT!

[@tboneproductions2453]

Fantastic. Big fan😊

[@felplayvina]

Hi Paul, thank you for the update, I do have a question, I want to buy a used graphic voltage meter vantage, what be the version should I get? or if you please get me some advise.

[@little739]

Hello, Paul. I love watching your videos. You show us faster and safer way to troubleshoot. I was wandering if I could use a test light, connected to B+ and touch on the Signal wire; test light lights: Short to ground in the signal wire.

[@paddyswan733]

great vid

[@ScannerDanner]

Yes, but remember some of them all you need to do is unplug it and the signal voltage will already be at 5v. If this is the case you do not need to do the jumper test with the resistor. Also remember this test is used to check signal wire integrity and NOT the sensor itself. Although if the sensor signal is fixed at 0 and unplugged it goes to 5v, this suggests a shorted sensor.

[@chiaramessina5520]

Hey Paul, thanks for this ... I'm always looking out for guidance on testing and protecting a computer circuit. Question: do all sensing wires back to PCM NOT support current flow at all, or is it just a very very low current?

[@eveinfinityz]

Nice!

[@robertwest8340]

ty so much, bossman at k.d.k performance automotive in orlando will hook me up with that ty

[@jose6788]

Nice!!!

[@jahrain1693]

dear sir ,i have been with u for sometime now and i have master myself in so many things in ur video and also manage to buy ur Ebook.....i will like to say thank u for the knowledge am acquiring from u.Ur method and style of diagnosis is extremely different and exceptional ..my question for you? 1) can u i use a resistor less or more then 5kohm let say 4.5 or 5.6kokm to the testing? 2) can u do any bypass on the signal wire for the pressure sensors and potentiometer with a test light and look for respond on the scan tool? 3) i was working on a car with check engine light and i pulled a code p0500 which is related to vehicle speed sensor.i located the sensor and it was a three wire sensor,i use multi-meter and check all the three wire and had source voltage,5v and ground.from my testing i know the sensor is a pull down design so i decided to do a bypass test by pulling the signal wire to ground with a test light and it worked and the check engine went of immediately i did the test so i was 100% confident to change the sensor.............please Sir i want to find out if the signal had short to ground could have use the test light to battery positive and watch the test lit?

[@ScannerDanner]

Any Version is fine as what you get with newer ones is newer model year component info. Version 7.0 or 8.0 is the last update for that tool. I have a version 6.0 and I am updated to 2002 model year. This doesn't mean I cannot use the tool on newer cars. I just will not have vehicle specific component info.(best tool I ever bought)

[@beansandgravy1]

hi paul is your scan tool in this video connected to the dlc 16 pin connector? i assume it is but dont want to be making mistakes through not asking your advice , keep up the good work son davie scotland

[@ScannerDanner]

Not always my friend. I have seen every different configuration so be careful.

[@ScannerDanner]

You could probably get away with a test light but why put more voltage on the circuit than necessary?

[@jagrobo6165]

Hi Paul If I didnt know if the ECM have a internal resistor or not ,can you measure the ohmage of the ref wire and the signal wire (sensor disconnected) and check the ohmage would it then return a ohmage on a ECM with internal resistor if the wiring was good?

[@josepeixoto3384]

GREAT videos,man; I will add this,a 5 dollar meter,in ohms,(200) WILL tell you if the signal wire is shorted to GND or not; i do it w/ my old (i mean,over 30yo)IBM 8060A when i have it with me,if not,with anything,starting with a test light(but, N O T ending with it,if is does not light up!); NO need for a 1999 doll.scanner for that simple task; nor for other tasks most of the times.

[@ScannerDanner]

That is correct, although I wouldn't call it "large amounts of current" A typical 5v regulator can only handle around 1 amp of current before it burns up. To the regulator this would be a large amount of current.

[@felplayvina]

Hi Paul I have code po2138 po2127 pedal sensor on sentra 08 I thing is a potentiometer like tps sensor if I correct, if is fix to 0 v can I use 5.6k-ohm resistor?.

[@infiniteintelligence5626]

MAN U R GOOD!👍

[@jplkenny]

I was wondering if it was common for the 5 volt refernce was on the outside pin and the main ground was on the opposite outside pin with the middle being the computers "eye"? it seems that that would be the common design. I know thats probably not an ironclad rule for every car but i was wondering?

[@Matthew-ez6qg]

Exceptional video and teachings concerning wiring of this degree! Got a question! I have a 1996 dodge ram 1500 5.2 magnum 4×4 When I remove the plug from the TPS sensor and check the voltage. I have 5.8 volts on the reference wire and 5.7 volts on the signal wire. Does this mean that the computer is bad/ corroded or a possible short in the wiring/plugs? Hope you can help!

[@ScannerDanner]

This is a little bit high but may not be an issue. What symptoms are you having? What is sensor ground voltage plugged in and backprobing?

[@Michael-qt8md]

Hi Paul, at 6:48, or at 11:39 , when you have the resistor bridged between 5v and signal wire, what if the signal wire was open( broken), if you do the voltmeter test at resistor you will still get 5v on both sides though (as there is no current hence no voltage drop)? wouldnt you need to do a continuity test as well to make sure that the signal wire is not broken? or just do a continuity test on the signal wire , since we are not doing a voltage drop test anyway? many thanks in advance.

[@64impalaSSRealMechanic315]

Mr Scanner i was wondering on this test where did you apply COM lead black on battery negative or? And how many W should this resistor have Please and Thank you

[@santacruzautomotivediagnos6094]

need a video on troubleshooting a P1122 code Nissan DTC for E throttle

[@tonyreese306]

Ok I’m trying to help a single mom with her suv through this covid pandemic it is a 2002 Chevy trailblazer and it is in limp mode the work is free of charge ..but I inclined to the electrical side ..but I really like and understand how you explain things ..where can I buy your book on this tps 5 volt ref. I have figured out how to test the app or the tps on her vehical ..need help !!!!!

[@zracer81]

Dumb question but would this test work by jumping the reference wire to the signal wire through a testlight?

[@windelreid8144]

scannerdanner i am posting from jamaica i would like to know what vehicle is in your ebook the price and how i could get 0ne of the book your videos are excelent

[@MortoFett]

i had a vw golf 2005 i was working on and i had a p0222 code. The TPS had 6 wires on it there was a motor built into it to control how much it opens (not cable operated).any videos to show how to test this type of TPS. Thanks in advance

[@jorgeavila1264]

Your vids are good very useful and technical, although a inconvenience with this testing is that “poor quality of illumination so you have to a lot of us doing guessing pick of the right wire, get a better video editor to help you to help us, other than that “great work!!!!

[@ScannerDanner]

This is from 2012. My content has always been good, my filming and editing have come a long way from 2012. Watch some of my 2019 videos

[@timwheeler1503]

@@ScannerDanner Your filming and editing are on point for sure. We can at least look up a wiring diagram for whatever we are working on without relying on you to have videos for every component on every make and model showing exactly what wires to test. Great video and technique as always. Scanner Danner is the best tech and teacher around. If you can't learn something on this channel maybe it's time to get out of auto diagnosis.

[@Giorobot]

am a little above average DIY with basic knowledge therefore I find this video very helpful a lot of things make sense now I encourage people to watch it over and over If you need to may look confusing a little but it will make sense scanner danner how can I buy your book?

[@ScannerDanner]

Thank you! From my website at www.scannerdanner.com

[@robertwest8340]

hey man im aspiring tech watching u for a while do u have a up dated book

[@ScannerDanner]

+Robert West I do and it is available at www.scannerdanner.com It is the latest version (version 6) both paper and eBook are the same update

[@tinabio]

hi, Opel Astra h 2008 1,3 cdti car accelerator pedal socket pin no:4 51 ohm by adding resistance Does it have any effect on pedal response? Does it affect performance?

[@wrench-weld-build6545]

Need a process to bench test a throttle body with the tps incorporated in the side of the body. I have performed resistance test manually operating the butterfly valve but have no way to know what the adequate range is. Also, does this unit need to be powered up to test properly?

[@vincentlee2460]

Its very tricky when testing it cold and its ok. But when the engine reaches its operating temp and everything gets hot and expands the signal wiring in some old cars gives a higher reading and rpm surges and u think its a vacuum leak. What a wild goose chase i had in a year!!

[@jonathanmoscoa1878]

hi this looks very interesting video megustaria watching your videos I wonder if you could talk a bit slower because my language is Spanish and the translator goes way too fast and I can hardly assimilate the video thanks

[@freemanfreed1581]

first the Big subscription !! second how many pin on the throttle body you will have if there are 2 TPS and 1 DC motor??

[@ScannerDanner]

It depends on the manufacturer. 2 separate TPS circuits may use 6 different wires but they can do it with 4 if they share the reference and ground. Then the motor itself would be 2 wires. So 6 to 8 wires depending on design

[@freemanfreed1581]

​@@ScannerDannerScannerDanner thank you !! is the throttle body actuator always a dc motor or we can use stepper motor also? normally I need to connect the throttle body DC motor with Arduino or raspberry pi controller for controlling the valve condition (closed or open) depending on the load the vehicle carry. so do you have some ideas how do I connect them? should I use a relay? H bridge circuit?

[@ScannerDanner]

@@freemanfreed1581 yes, it is a reverse polarity DC electric motor that uses pulse width modulation controls to open and close a heavily spring loaded closed throttle plate. How to tell you how to build a control circuit for this? I have no idea, sorry.

[@arthurbright1625]

Hey Danner you've got me thinking now could you use a diode instead of a resistor to jump that circuit preventing voltage to come back to the 5 volt reference wire

[@ScannerDanner]

Use an incandescent test light instead. It works perfectly and will also protect the circuit if the signal wire is shorted or if you jump it wrong

[@zvonimirbobicex-4962]

hm...i was expecting the same for 4. b)...when jumping the TPS signal to TPS ground ...since there is the same concern...if TPS signal wire were SHORTED TO POWER...here s my thinking...if there s power around that is not curbed by that current limiting resistor(as is case with thermistors)...then he or she should stay away from jumper wires and paper clips and stick to test lights and 5kohm resistors...your thoughts mr. scandan?

[@ScannerDanner]

I would if I worked on more of them. I just don't see too many turbo charged cars and when I do, it is the same types of failures that an NA engine has.

[@MrPami9899]

hey paul,if you look for a 5v reference on any of sensor that is plugged in that circuit,and there is no 5v refenrence,where is the problem from?and also could that lead to a bad mpg in a vehicle

[@ScannerDanner]

+STEEVE DAVID Nicolas no 5v reference to one sensor or no 5v reference to all the sensors? If it is all of them, the car doesn't start. If it is only one of them you have a break in the 5v ref wire somewhere to that one individual sensor

[@paulcookson8561]

hi, watching video, why don't you use a test light, than if it is shorted to ground it would light up, if its not would still show a voltage on scope, this would protect ecu, this would check for a short or good circuit in one go.

[@MrGunz2000]

Good video and thanks for sharing, question I have is I do not have a diagnostic scanner but I do have a odb2 scanner with a live mode, it does show the tps as a %. With the truck off I am at 23% if I press the peddle to the floor I get 56%. I am trying to diagnose a P0120, if I Remove the tps plug and install the 5K resistor then should my ODB2 scanner in live mode read the TPS at 100% Thanks

[@ScannerDanner]

That test is for circuit integrity. It may not change as you hope because the computer may substitute that value during that test

[@MrGunz2000]

ScannerDanner ok thanks, maybe I will give it a try and see what happens to test the circuit, I ran a test with my other truck to night ( bit older one) and at no pedal I have like 0.6% on the tps and if I out the pedal to the floor it reads 100%. Odds are I have a bad tps

[@mrlyricsneo]

im not sure but cant you use multimeter on bother mood to test if there connection between the signal line and ground ?

[@walagable]

I have an electronic throttle, i would love to know how to do these tests. It is an Astra 1.8 16V, and I have problems with the signal. the signal is showing 5Volts when the car is off hence, it has failed to start

[@ardyshane23]

Is it necessary to have the scanner to show the 4.98 volts or can you just read the jumped pin on that side of the resistor? If there is a short will it still read about 5 volts on both sides of the resistor? I have a tps problem and a volt meter but no scan tool like that. P0122 code on a 1996 k1500 Chevy truck.

[@ScannerDanner]

you need to see what the computer is seeing. If you do not have scan data, you may need to measure directly at the TPS signal wire AT the computer. With the key on and the TPS plugged in, what are the voltage levels on all 3 wires? Then unplug the TPS and measure them again and report the numbers to me

[@bryanlamontagne2914]

Hi Paul, would a 4.7k resistor be close enough? I went to radio shack, they didn't have 5k, closest one was the 4.7k. Thanks

[@ScannerDanner]

For sure. You can use less than that even. I've found a also that an LED test light can be used to jump between the circuits.

[@AUTOREPAIRGUIDE]

how do you graph this on a vantage mt2400?

[@Lagos3sgte]

Paul, could a single wire knock sensor that is being pulled to ground on the signal wire cause the same potential risk to electrical components?

[@ScannerDannerPremium]

no risk with that circuit. in fact there is not much risk even on the reference circuit as they are highly protected.

[@angelf9800]

I have a code P0122 Throttle/Pedal Position what should I fix first the throttle body or the pedal position sensor

[@trojangpete8]

Sorry for this very common question. But what scan tool would you recommend, to see the voltages and voltages moving as you wiggle the wires?

[@ScannerDanner]

For a pro or DIYer? The Topdon Phoenix Lite 2 is my favorite under $1k full functional, bi-directional scan tool

[@trojangpete8]

@@ScannerDanner Thank you, I was able to figure out the electrical issue on the vehicle I was working on. The catch can was installed pressing on the harness. The catch can was heating the wires.

[@elisahachiles634]

Sir is it applicable that test procedure in all sensor thanks sir

[@ScannerDanner]

yes it is

[@jacobclark89]

Remember that testing a tps sensor is best done with an older type analog meter as to visalize the needle sweep for abnormalities.

[@ScannerDanner]

They draw too much current and can actually lower signal voltage when trying to measure these low voltage circuits

[@Grunter123]

😂 Good one Jacob.

[@jacobclark89]

@@Grunter123 The guy that is telling me that im wrong is totally misunderstanding something or is a know it all . He says too much amp draw on a simple ohms test ? You can lead them to water but you can't make them drink ! I happen to fixed alot of electrical equipment not just cars ,I might actually know a thing or two.

[@mobilecommunicationsnetwor5268]

For a GM 3800 TP do you know the % position and voltage range is when closed?

[@ScannerDanner]

Under 10% on most and MUST be 0% on some older models

[@ronvonbargen8411]

Would jumping the wires with a test light be adequate as a resistor/ buffer??

[@ScannerDanner]

Yes it would!

[@aminmombini6882]

Hey paul and thanks for your effort and sharin your awsome knoladge,i just have a question,you mentioned to use 5kΩ resistor to avoid any possible short between 5v and gnd when we 're dealing with fixed 0 volt on signal wire,so what about when we have fixed max voltage on sig wire ,let's consider there is a short between sig and the REFv and we short the sig to gnd to see any V dropping to confirm wiring integrity?i mean is there any possibillity to cook the REG IC in this condition or not,if no then how. Regards.

[@ScannerDanner]

Do the test with an incandescent test light instead of the resistor for both examples and you'll have nothing to worry about. Great question!!

[@aminmombini6882]

@@ScannerDanner hi and thanks for the respond,another question: can i measure the resistance between signal and REF V wire to determine the kind of circuit design??

[@ScannerDanner]

@@aminmombini6882 unfortunately no you cannot, every car is different

[@aminmombini6882]

@@ScannerDanner ofcourse you 're right the value of the resistance would be diffrent ,but what i mean is the diffrence between having and not having internal resistance,at least we can distinguish the design ,can't we?

[@ScannerDanner]

The problem is with circuit board designs and they change even year to year. Try it, you'll see, you get some real conflicting readings. There are other paths in that board that the ohmmeter can travel through. Either way, it doesn't matter, it is a test that will not help you. If you are dealing with a sensor signal that is fixed at 0v or 5v (disconnected). Take your test light and change it and look for a scan data response. If it responds (5v drops to 0v or 0v jumps up to 5v), your signal circuit is fine. No other tests are needed on that part of the circuit.

[@dfigueroa903]

Does this method work for any sensor

[@Jam-kq6hw]

Where can I go to keep watching your videos where can I sibscibe???

[@ScannerDanner]

www.scannerdanner.com/join-scannerdanner-premium.html Thank you!

[@edwardjames6070]

great video as always. just a suggestion. if you can't zoom in on the 5000 ohm resistor because the vid would become blurry, narrate the color of the stripes on the resistor. a viewer may have a resistor laying around and not even know it. this info is easy enough to find on google, but the info you provide can be trusted, where google shouldn't be.

[@rhyslanouette5086]

Could you use a test light in series?

[@ScannerDanner]

yes! and incandescent light is preferable

[@johnjohn-xo5gl]

ive subbed, need help please. live data for my tps seems to be very touchy, i could press the pedal maybe 25%-40% and it reads thats its at full throttle and its very consistant but does not throw a code.. leaning towards the tps... 06 crown vic

[@ScannerDanner]

If we are to believe the data you are seeing, your symptoms should range from severe hesitation problems to surging, lack of throttle response and possibly stalling. Suggesting a faulty TPS. Is this an electronic throttle body? If it is, there would definitely be a code.

[@johnjohn-xo5gl]

ScannerDanner, my car does hesitate and has loss of power but does not stall or throw a code, i belive i have 2 throttle position sensors

[@oscarcarrizosa1751]

How can I get a hold of your book you're talking about and how much is it?

[@ScannerDanner]

From my website at www.scannerdanner.com Thank you! The eBook is $50 and the paper book is $100

[@dimisrambodimisrambo7285]

if the signal wire is 0 volts, we put the test light connected to the battery positive instead of giving 5 volts from the reference, would we damage the signal?I'm asking because we might not have a 5kohm resistor and don't want to risk a mistake!!

[@ScannerDanner]

I use my incandescent test light for this all the time. Are you a premium member? I have some lectures I want you to watch in my chapter 10 playlist

[@MrJgonzalez2]

Paul if you use your body to jump the reference to the signal like you did at the beginning of the video should be a valid test,shouldn't it? Besides its not like its gonna be jumpered for hours,when you're doing this test you should have scan data ready, jump it, read scan data and be done with it.

[@elisahachiles634]

Sir if you are using a 6 k resistor for testing a sensor what type of sensor applicable to that method sir thanks

[@ScannerDanner]

pressure sensors and potentiometers

[@dougsanders6034]

If the return wire is grounded , will the 5kohm resister begin to heat up?

[@dougsanders6034]

Enjoyed the video.