Throttle Position Sensor: Description and Operation

Typical Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) Wiring:

TPS Attachment To Throttle Body. (TBI Engines):

TPS Wiring.:

DESCRIPTION
The TPS is a potentiometer with a five volt reference input and a signal ground supplied by the PCM. A sensor output signal to the PCM is a DC signal that varies according to throttle position angle. As the throttle angle changes the signal to the PCM varies.

At a closed throttle position, the output of the TPS is low (approximately 0.5 volt). As the throttle plate opens, the output signal increases so that, at wide open throttle, the output voltage will be high (approximately five volts).


LOCATION
The throttle position sensor (TPS) is mounted to the throttle body and connected to the throttle plate shaft