Chances are that your auto care specialist has talked to you about your throttle body. Your throttle body has many components, like your throttle body position sensor. The following guide will help you diagnose and fix, if necessary, throttle body position sensor issues.
Symptoms Of Throttle Body Position Sensor Issues
Your throttle body position sensor or TPS is responsible for reading your vehicle's movement data. Your TPS sends electrical signals to your vehicle's computer that communicates the speed and angle of your throttle body.
Your car's computer translates this information to use the right amount of gasoline. And it also uses this to keep tabs on your car's timing, engine load, and your converter clutch to name a few things.
The following are a few signs that your TPS needs to be checked or replaced:
- The simplest yet hardest sign to diagnose is your check engine light is on. This light could indicate a problem with several parts of your engine. So talk to your auto care specialist if you see this light.
- The next sign is a little easier because you will feel jerking or hesitation as you accelerate your car. Take note that the jerking and hesitation won't always occur when you accelerate. This happens because your TPS is not sending the right information to your car, so your vehicle will have trouble complying with your needs.
- Be weary of any surging while idling. This is happening for the reason mentioned in the previous sign.
- Any stalling could be a sign of a bad TPS. Remember that this kind of stalling can occur while you are driving and when you are idling. Your car will stall because your TPS gives bad input to your car, which could cause your vehicle to supply insufficient power or fuel to keep your car on.
- Watch out for a sudden surge of speed as you drive. This usually happens because the TPS has not detected that you've pressed down your pedal. And you subsequently press on the pedal more to satisfy your needs. Your TPS may finally detect your pedal position and cause the surge in speed.
Any of the aforementioned symptoms may be related to your TPS, so you need to check it to see if it needs replacement.
Simple Guide To Replace Your TPS
To replace your TPS, you will need the following:
- A new throttle body position sensor. Make sure that it is the one that matches your vehicle. Ask your auto care specialist or auto parts specialist about this.
- Screwdriver
To replace your TPS, just follow the next steps:
- Keep your car off when you work on your vehicle. Make sure that the car is cool as well to protect yourself from getting burned.
- The first thing you have to do is find your throttle position sensor. This is usually sitting to the left or the right of your throttle body. You can usually find your throttle body by following the air duct from your air filter. You can refer to your owner's manual, or ask your auto care specialist too.
- You will see a cable connected to your TPS. Disconnect this cable.
- The TPS is usually connected to your throttle body by two simple screws. Remove these screws using your screwdriver. And disconnect your TPS.
- Install your new TPS, and tighten the screws. Now re-connect that wire, and you are done.
If the problem has not been solved, then there might be an issue with the entire throttle body or the idle control valve. Talk to your auto care specialist, one like Acheson Auto Body and Service Center West, for further input and help.
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