Throttle Position Sensor

The Throttle Position (TP) sensor is used by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) to determine the throttle plate angle for various engine management systems. The TP sensor is a potentiometer type sensor with three circuits:

• A 5-volt reference circuit
• A low reference circuit
• A TP sensor signal circuit

The PCM provides the TP sensor with 5 volts on the 5-volt reference circuit and a ground on the low reference circuit. Rotation of the TP sensor rotor from the closed throttle position to the Wide Open Throttle (WOT) position provides the PCM with a signal voltage from below 1.0 volt to greater than 4.0 volts through the TP sensor signal circuit. If the PCM detects an intermittent excessively high or low signal voltage, a related Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) sets.