Test a Throttle Position Sensor using a Multimeter or OBD II Scanner • Cars Simplified

If you think your throttle position sensor may need to be replaced, you can test it out two ways, both of which are tools that aren't exclusive to the job! Not only that, but you may save yourself some money if it turns out to still be working!
For this video, we got to try out the Launch CReader model 3001, sent to us for free by Kingbolen.
Launch CReader 3001 OBD II Scanner: amzn.to/2KFCtzT
Launch also makes a more advanced scanner:
Launch CRP123: amzn.to/2MyAxLb
Cars Simplified is a channel dedicated to exploring the automotive world in a fun and understandable way, empowering the DIY community, and exploring the automotive industry's latest technology. • carssimplified.com/
"Is the throttle position supposed to read 100% at wide open throttle?"
This is sort of a trick question. What you see as 100% and what the computer considers 100% are not the same. Seeing somewhere between 75% and 100% is normal for WOT, and it normally falls between 80% and 95%.
Here are some codes that are related to the throttle position sensor:
P0068 MAP / MAF - Throttle Position Correlation
P0120 Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor A Circuit
P0121 Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance
P0122 Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor A Circuit Low Input
P0123 Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor A Circuit High Input
P0124 Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor A Intermittent
P0220 Throttle/Pedal Position Switch B Circuit
P0221 Throttle/Pedal Position Switch B Circuit Range/Performance
P0222 Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor B Circuit Low Input
P0223 Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor B Circuit High Input
P0224 Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor B Circuit Intermittent
P0225 Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor C Circuit
P0226 Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor C Circuit Range/Performance
P0227 Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor C Circuit Low Input
P0228 Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor C Circuit High Input
P0229 Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor C Circuit Intermittent
P0510 Closed Throttle Position Switch Malfunction
P1120 Secondary Throttle Position Sensor (STPS) (Infiniti)
P1121 Throttle Position (TP) Sensor Inconsistent With MAF Sensor High Voltage
P1121 Pedal Position 1 Range/Performance Problem (BMW)
P1122 Throttle Position (TP) Sensor Inconsistent With MAF Sensor Low Voltage
P1124 TPS Out Of Self Test Range (Ford)
P1124 TPS Out Of Self Test Range (Mazda)
P1125 TPS Intermittant (Ford)
P1125 TPS Intermittant (Infiniti)
P1125 Tandem Throttle Position Sensor (Mazda)
P1171 Electronic Throttle System Open (Hyundai) P1172 Electronic Throttle System Motor Current (Hyundai)
P1173 Electronic Throttle System Rationality Malfunction (Hyundai)
P1174 Electronic Throttle System #1 Close Malfunction (Hyundai)
P1175 Electronic Throttle System #2 Close Malfunction (Hyundai)
P1524 Throttle Position (TP) Sensor Learned Closed Throttle Angle Degrees Out-Of-Range
P1524 "A" Camshaft Position Actuator Signal High Bank 1 (BMW)
P1525 Throttle Position (TP) Sensor Learned Closed Throttle Angle Degrees Out-Of-Range
P1607 Electronic Throttle System Communication Error (Hyundai)
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Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of Cars Simplified, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. Cars Simplified assumes no liability for any property or personal damage that may arise from doing a repair on your vehicle after watching any video. Due to factors beyond the control of Cars Simplified, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Again any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Cars Simplified.

[@danburque7555]

I needed a tps. It was $400 at the Nissan dealership so I called a used parts scrap yard and bought a throttle body with the tps on it for $60. Worked like a charm.

[@CarsSimplified]

I imagine that's one of those models with the integrated throttle position sensor/throttle body? Definitely a frustrating design; I remember many unhappy customers when I worked at a parts store due to that sensor being unavailable separately. Glad you found a more affordable option!

[@jtjt3823]

Thank you for sharing! I didn’t know how to use the OBD2 reader that way.

[@kellicees5568]

Wow, I can actually afford that scanner! I'm finally going to get one.

[@TechiePocket1]

Thanks for the video m8!

[@CP-nh6ml]

I’m using a scan tool looking at the graph chart. When I press the accelerator pedal, there is a slight drop before it rises. And once the pedal goes back down to the floor there is a slight drop on the graph chart as well. Is that normal?

[@careyautorepairs]

Nice video buddy.

[@mchris93]

Hi, I have a 2019 2.0 diesel transit custom and I have the same scan tool. My TP is at 100% with just the ignition on? With the engine running in idle and I push down the pedal to increase revs it goes from 100% down to anywhere to 20-30%? Is this normal? Thanks

[@americanpatriot5836]

I have a 2002 infiniti i35 and having what the manual says is “shift shock”. At idle my TP % is 0.4%. Does that sound right?

[@sarmadsami3191]

Should sensor E /D are equall?

[@andystone1234]

I'm having trouble with my 2.0 auto diesel just cutting out. My TP on my OBD2 is constantly 89.4% Would this be the problem?? Any replies are great fully accepted

[@mgtowstanleyzoltanov9808]

So if mine is 93 percent on a Ford Transit what do i make out of it? The car drives thought

[@imaansarwar2314]

what is the ideal range of throttle position

[@angelf9800]

I have a code P0122 is that the tps or the pedal position sensor.

[@zahidrao985]

best fuel average tps sensor voltage at idle

[@darthgamer6080]

If at any point that TP reading does neither and goes blank (-%) is that also a sign of a bad TPS?

[@ConcreteSheep]

What was your outcome?

[@CarsSimplified]

Launch is currently giving away one of their products here: gleam.io/Nmul6/giveaway-launch-creader-3001-obd2-car-diagnostic-tool-1-winner Thanks to Kingbolen for sending us the Launch CReader 3001 OBD II Scanner: amzn.to/2KFCtzT Launch also makes a more advanced scanner: Launch CRP123: amzn.to/2MyAxLb

[@fhfhddhrgd1862]

Okay thanks

[@TheEgg185]

0:44 "Since there's three connections we can connect one of them?" This was a helpful video except for that part.

[@CarsSimplified]

Thanks to Kingbolen for sending us this OBD II scan tool! Launch CReader 3001 OBD II Scanner: amzn.to/2KFCtzT Code to save 30%: 30DWWNZA This code will last until 8/31/2018! Launch also makes a more advanced scanner: Launch CRP123: amzn.to/2MyAxLb

[@fhfhddhrgd1862]

Sir. Please. Information. Working. My. Launch x431. Promin. Thanks

[@Lancer971]

I tested my car with this reader, my throttle body rested at 14 and full throttle it was 28.9. Do you think that I need a new throttle body position sensor?

[@CarsSimplified]

Most likely, assuming the engine has trouble handling full throttle. Resting at 14% can be normal, but full throttle should be much higher. There could be wire damage or something else causing high resistance and keeping the signal from getting as high as it should. Testing the sensor on it's own could confirm a bad sensor or let you know the problem is elsewhere.

[@Lancer971]

@@CarsSimplified no, the engine seems to kinda surge at cruising speeds between 30 and 35. Also 40 to 45 mph. Any speeds under 30 and above 45 mph the car runs absolutely fine! But yes, I see what you're saying about testing the sensor. Thanks!

[@Jxtno14]

Did u got it it fixed I got the same issue it would only read 30% on full trottle

[@fhfhddhrgd1862]

Sir. My. Scanner.. Launch x431 promin. Please working. Information. Thanks. Happy

[@MoeLarrycurly1]

On my 2003 Corolla with the engine not running .it reads 11 % battle all the way to the floor show 77% I was wondering if this was correct now the engine is not running

[@MoeLarrycurly1]

@Adam B thank you 😊

[@MatLon28]

I plugged in my obd2 and looking at the TP, it shows 0%. I already replaced the tps with a new one? Helpm

[@kingbolen_official]

tps ?

[@matthewengle9554]

What ended up happening buddy? I just tested mine and it was 0% with not pressing the pedal and will go to 100 percent

[@KtuluLeaderRise]

My tp says 5.1% when at rest does that mean it must be replaced ?

[@KtuluLeaderRise]

But not fault code given

[@CarsSimplified]

If we had tech specs we could look it up to be sure, but many sensors don't go down to 0%. I think the DIY scan tools are programmed to simplify the voltage reading from the sensor as a percent, and the resistor never quite gets to 5V or 0V, so it's not often the scan tool reads 0% or 100%. I would say that particular reading is probably good, especially if there is no fault code. Is it giving you any trouble?

[@KtuluLeaderRise]

Cars Simplified yeah so my car idles up and down, not a lot but enough and I feel like engine shakes alittle when it does, it’s only when on parked and when car is warmed up and it kick back on even more when I turn on the ac but most the time it does it without having to turn on ac. The code it was throwing me was sensor 1 bank 1 so I took it out and cleaned it but still same problem. So I erased the code to see if the code would come back. Can a o2 sensor be the reason why it’s idle surging ?

[@stevefenwick8299]

@@KtuluLeaderRise could be your idle air control valve, it controls the engine rpm at idle..

[@KtuluLeaderRise]

@@stevefenwick8299 it was Forsure that lol fixed it a 10 months ago

[@marioncaffroy7045]

So is the car running when you're testing it

[@kellismith4329]

No

[@andrewm5190]

On my car the value at idle shows 0 percent and while driving at around 50 miles or more it can go at about 25 to 30 percent. Occasionally while driving it does drop to 0 and stays there sometimes. My car has poor acceleration and I have noticed a jerk into 2nd gear.

[@matthewengle9554]

Hey man what ended up being the issue? This is the exact issue I'm having. Sorry I'm 2 years late lol.

[@andrewm5190]

@Matthew Engle hey its all good. On my Cavalier I took out the throttle position sensor and cleaned it out. Also cleaned out the throttle plate with throttle plate cleaner and the iat sensor with a map/maf sensor cleaner.

[@matthewengle9554]

​@@andrewm5190 thanks for the reply... Did that do the trick?

[@andrewm5190]

@Matthew Engle in my case I felt like it did. The car drives good and I still have it as my daily driver to work.

[@matthewengle9554]

@@andrewm5190 awesome man. Thanks

[@jaywilson2600]

Why wouldn't you read off the prong positions like every other person does? 1,2,3 or E2, VC, & VTA? There are people who don't know where to connect their positive and neg leads for both tests out of engine? Personally I think it's because you're a bit lazy and were more interested in getting to your scan tool, because it's neat and you don't have to do anything. You spent more time talking about a scanner that almost nobody has as opposed to spending more detailed time in explaining what you're doing....which everyone needs. Just my opinion.

[@johndavis6613]

What pins are you testing