Throttle Position Sensor: Description and Operation

Voltage Versus Throttle Position Chart:

The TP sensor is a potentiometer that is mounted on the throttle body to measure changes in throttle valve angle. The PCM provides a 5 volt reference signal and a ground to the TP sensor and the sensor in turn sends a voltage signal representing throttle position back to the PCM. As the throttle angle increases, the voltage signal increases and as the throttle angle decreases the voltage signal decreases. A closed throttle angle will result in a voltage signal near 0 and wide open throttle will produce a signal near 5 volts.