Throttle Position Sensor: Description and Operation

Fig. 13 Throttle Position Sensor:

The TPS is mounted on the throttle body and connected to the throttle blade shaft.

The Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) connects to the throttle blade shaft. The TPS is a variable resistor that provides the PCM with an input signal (voltage). The signal represents throttle blade position. As the position of the throttle blade changes, the resistance of the TPS changes.

The PCM supplies approximately 5 volts DC to the TPS. The TPS output voltage (input signal to the PCM) represents throttle blade position. The TPS output voltage to the PCM varies from approximately 0.5 volt at minimum throttle opening (idle) to a maximum of 3.7 volts at wide open throttle.

Along with inputs from other sensors, the PCM uses TPS input to determine current engine operating conditions. The PCM also adjusts fuel injector pulse width and ignition timing based on these inputs.