Throttle Position Sensor

The Throttle Position (TP) sensor is a potentiometer connected to the throttle shaft on the throttle body. By monitoring the voltage on the signal line, the VCM calculates throttle position. As the throttle valve angle is changed (accelerator pedal moved), the TP sensor signal also changes.

At a closed throttle position, the output of the TP sensor is low. As the throttle valve opens, the output increases so that at Wide Open Throttle (WOT), the output voltage should be above 4 volt.

The VCM calculates fuel delivery based on throttle valve angle (driver demand). A broken or loose TP sensor may cause intermittent bursts of fuel from an injector and unstable idle because the VCM thinks the throttle is moving. A problem in the TP sensor 5 volt reference or signal circuits should set either a DTC P0122 or DTC P0123. A problem with the TP sensor ground circuit may set DTCs P0123 and P0117. Once a DTC is set, the VCM will use an artificial default value based on mass air flow for TP sensor and some vehicle performance will return A high idle may result when either DTC P0122 or DTC P0123 is set.

The non-adjustable TP sensor is mounted on the throttle body assembly opposite the throttle lever. The TP sensor senses the throttle valve angle and relays that information to the VCM. Knowledge of throttle angle is one of the inputs needed by the VCM to generate the required injector control signals (pulses). For further information on replacement, refer to Throttle Position (TP) Sensor Replacement.