Signs & Symptoms of a Bad Throttle Position Sensor (TPS)!

Are you experiencing erratic engine performance or getting P0120-P0124 engine codes? It could be a sign of a faulty Throttle Position Sensor (TPS). In today’s video, Jake explores the intricacies of the TPS, exploring its function, common symptoms of failure, diagnostic procedures, and effective fixes to restore optimal engine performance. The Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) is a vital component of the engine management system, responsible for monitoring the position of the throttle valve. By providing feedback to the Engine Control Unit (ECU), the TPS ensures precise control over the throttle opening, enabling smooth acceleration and engine operation.

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00:09 – Electronic Throttle Control History & Technicals
01:14 – What is a Throttle Position Sensor & What Does it do?
02:30 – Signs & Symptoms of a Bad Throttle Position Sensor (TPS)
03:01 – Common TPS Fault Codes (P0120-P0124)
03:18 – Common Symptoms of a Faulty Throttle Position Sensor (Cont.)
03:40 – How to Diagnose a Bad TPS
07:56 – Bad Throttle Position Sensor Summary

[dr.strangelove]

I really appreciate the fact that you take time out of your day to help so many people! Thank you! My 2013 F-150 has the 3.5L V6 TURBO engine. The truck starts, idles, and revs normally, and the transmission seems to be operating normally. Pushing gently on the accelerator pedal (5-10% throttle) will cause the truck to begin accelerating normally. When the truck reaches about 25 mph, the engine begins to misfire and shake, and will stall if you do not take your foot off the accelerator pedal. A noticeable amount of black smoke comes out of the exhaust when the engine is misfiring. On a hill, the truck loses power, misfires and stalls. While misfiring, if you take your foot off of the throttle it will go back to a normal idle. When the transmission is in park, the truck will rev normally, even up to 5000 to 6000 rpm (with no misfire). When the transmission is in drive, adding more than 5-10% throttle will cause the engine to begin misfiring and the engine will stall if you do not take your foot off the accelerator pedal. What the hell is going in with this truck?

[tonymerrell]

I wish I'd watched this before I bought and replaced the Eccentric Shaft Sensor in my 2008 x3 3.0si. Did all of that work of taking off the valve cover and replacing the sensor only to put it all back together and "WAH, Wah, wah"! I thought I had done the appropriate amount of research but hadn't factored in the lack of acceleration past 1500rpm. Once I came back to the Youtuberverse I found this and my faith in humanity was renewed. Thanks!

[sidorsky]

Supremely articulate, concise, and intelligent presentation! Thank you, your words have the magic of making me confident and hopeful that even I could possibly fix the problem that my mechanic (a good guy) had to give up on for business reasons.

[mICHAELBrown-zy]

Thanks very much for this video, really well done. I've got a '03 Silverado 5.3 that is not throwing any codes but is experiencing the TPS symptoms you discuss. When I first start and drive it, there isn't a problem as long as I maintain a steady speed. It will downshift if I give it more pedal. Upon stopping and then resuming, it stumbles when any throttle is applied and won't downshift. If I turn the ignition off and restart it will run fine until I have to stop again. Recently I had a new fuel pump, fuel lines, regulator, plugs, and wires. Injectors in cylinders 7 & 8 were replaced. At that time I was getting a P0300 and a P0332. The MAF has been cleaned. I bypassed the Bank 2 KS and now there are no codes. The static fuel pressure is a little low at 52 psi, while idling it's 45-47 psi. The truck has not been driven is a couple of years which has caused some of these issues. Thanks in advance for your advise.

[shelley-annthompson]

Thank you. Based on symptoms I now believe that it's my car's Tbody system needs examination and then compare it to my transmission which the mechanic thought was the problem.

[emteebee]

This is a good video! Do any of the following qualify as hesitation?

1) running at low speed (about 5mph) then gently accelerating, causing engine noise and not responding to the gas pedal momentarily. But once it reaches about 10mph, the vehicle runs fine.

2) when slowing down, once speedometer drops below 15mph, the engine revs up a split second. RPM goes from 800-1200 for a split second.

[adenlove]

Excellent video and highly appreciated. The question to be raised is, do we have to program the throttle body sensor after replacement?

[scottkienholz]

I watched a few videos on this subject and this was the best one. thank you so much.

[RickyRing-xyvy]

One of our vehicles is down (09 Chevy hhr). Wife was driving home and it is missing really bad and will barely move and can smell unburnt fuel and black smoke in exhaust. I hooked up code reader and it had 8 codes!! I checked all vacuum lines, cleaned throttle body, checked air filter, checked wiring and cleaned all connectors, cleaned MAF sensor etc. P0134, po171, po172, po300, po700, p1543, p0003, and pooo7. The only code it woukd pull up on my code reader before this happened was po700 which indicated Transmission Control Module. I did notice that before this happened that it would have a miss when first starting and go away and run fine until this happened. I’m trying to trace all of this down, but I don’t have anything but a code reader and trying to figure this out. All these codes lead to different things but I know it has to be only 1 or 2 things causing this. I have also checked all wiring and connectors. Any help??? Anyone familiar with this car? I’m not sure where else to start. I’ve been researching and reading about it all I can. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you

[kusalprasanna]

Thank you for this valuable tips. When I’m driving in lower speeds like in a traffic, I can feel some jerking when I touch the gas padle and when I take out the foot from the gas padle. And also when I push the gas padle and hold the gas padle in the same possition in lowet speed, in one point car is jerking around 2 seconds and after go smoothly. what will be the couses for these symptoms

[awwilliams]

Very informative. Thanks.😊Just found out a vehicle I purchased recently has this issue. 😢 I think I need to enroll in automotive classes so I know everything to look for and ask about prior to purchase.

[guysmiley]

Great explanation of how the car works. My throttle body looks clean, but my acceleration is jerky. My r p ms are erratic, I don't have Quick responseWhen I press down the pedal at times. I do not have any codes and my o d b.Reader didn't read anything. I'm assuming my t p s is the problem, but shouldn't I have a code?

[ShredRMK]

Great vid. When under load, If the throttle does not respond when repeatedly pushed quickly but does react when in neutral would that be the tps or the pedal assy.? I'll probably change out both but could it even be the throttle body itself? No codes stored and it's a 2015 Subaru manual.

[chasz]

I removed my throttle body on my 2018 Ram 1500 3.6 L Cleaned it with CRC throttle body cleaner. Did the relearn key in on position gas pedal to the floor for 15 seconds. I drive on the highway 5 days a week, 80 mph no issues. But since I have done this once in awhile when I'm at a traffic light or in the morning when I first start the truck the throttle body Acts up

[boogyboy]

Thank you for sharing the video. It was very insightful to troubleshooting my car issue. I will try the tips you suggested. I changed out the TPS, cleaned the MAF sensor, but the problem didn't go away. I will try to clean the throttle body next.

[oldgoldu]

Very informative videos. Thank you. I also think that a bad TPS can start to occur without throwing a code, meanwhile incorrectly adding too much fuel in the mix and causing the DPF to accumulate soot quicker than usual. In turn, it causes more passive burns. Let me know your thoughts.

[SantoMessina-tz]

Will sea foam let white smoke out? N will this part let the code come on n once u shut it off it goes away?

[jorgealvarez]

The accelerator pedal position sensor and the tps have similar symptoms, however you mentioned in another video that the app sensor could put the car in limp mode but not the tps. The problem with my 2008 mustang gt is that a lot of times it wont set obvious mil codes.

[JosePimentel-mt]

I have a 2003 Toyota Matrix XRS that is rough idling when its parked throttle body is cleaned the mechanic wants to replace the throttle body, he didn't say anything about the TSP i will replace the tsp and check all the wiring. Thank you, great video, very informative

[mycookie]

I gotta find that sensor and clean it now .... My throttle is completely stuck shut, it does exactly what you described as well. Turns on, if i leave it on idle it will rev up and down like crazy and shake at times, then as soon as i put it on drive it goes into smooth feeling but wont rev up at all, i take that back it does rev up but nothing past 3x1000 yet it doesn't accelerate either...it just goes at like 2-5mph i put it back on parking and it does the crazy idling thing again....i took it apart and tried doing what you said but its shut completely and maybe im missing it somewhere but i cannot find that sensor! 😂 I got a 2004 Toyota camry