Toyota Throttle Position Sensor

Description

SYMPTOMS OF A FAILED SENSOR

There are many symptoms of a failed throttle position sensor. While some of these symptoms could also be signs of other engine issues, watch out for these symptoms of bad TPS, or throttle position sensor.

The most common symptom is your check engine light. This indicator is a vague symptom, as it could also point to a variety of issues, but you can expect to see it if there’s any issue with your throttle position sensor.

Next, any unusual changes in your acceleration could be linked to this sensor. During your normal driving, consider inspecting your sensor if you experience any of these throttle position sensor symptoms:

• Hesitations during acceleration
• Poor power
• Difficulty and/or delay in gear shifting
• Unusual surges while accelerating

Each of these could be signs that your throttle position sensor isn’t working correctly. Too much airflow or too little could cause poor acceleration performance, but it could also be linked with other engine issues. If you notice your fuel economy has dropped dramatically, it could be a result of an improper fuel and air mixture.

Similarly, if your engine struggles to idle efficiently, it could also be a result of a damaged throttle position sensor. Stalling, surging, or hesitating while idling all can be caused by this unassuming sensor.

The best way to determine if these issues are caused by your throttle position sensor is to go to the source. By using a multimeter, you can determine if the sensor has an electrical connection issue. Check the engine control module for the trouble code that resulted in your illuminated check engine light to see if it is linked with your throttle position sensor. These two steps can also help you determine whether you need to repair, replace or reprogram your sensor.