Throttle Position Sensor: Description and Operation

Throttle Position Sensor:

PURPOSE
Provide PCME with throttle valve opening angle signal. Idle switch, incorporated into sensor assembly, signals PCME when throttle is fully closed.

LOCATION
Side of throttle body.

OPERATION
The sensor is a potentiometer rotated by the throttle shaft as it opens and closes. Varying potentiometer resistance alters reference voltage supplied by the PCME, allowing it to read throttle valve opening angle. PCME reference voltage is approximately 0.5V at idle and 3.7V at wide open throttle. Idle switch is either "ON" or "OFF" to signal PCME when throttle is fully closed.