Modern automobiles come with sophisticated sensors like a throttle position sensor. These sensors operate at their best, but they can also malfunction and cause issues.
This system controls the amount of air that flows into the engine’s intake manifold; that is, when it’s opened wide, more air flows in, and when nearly closed, little air flows in.
It’s crucial that you can reset the throttle body sensor if that becomes necessary. It might be challenging to identify the source of engine problems in your car.
The throttle body system is just one of many parts that cooperate to provide the engine with smooth acceleration. So, how do you reset the throttle position sensor?
Let’s begin!
What is a throttle position sensor?
A throttle position sensor (TPS) monitors the level at which the throttle valve or blade is open, which can be determined by the level at which the accelerator pedal is pressed.
This system controls the amount of air that flows into the engine’s intake manifold; that is, when it’s opened wide, more air flows in, and when nearly closed, little air flows in.
Information obtained from the throttle position and how quickly it opens and closes is sent to the engine control module. This information is used to decide how much fuel is injected into the engine and the spark timing.
The throttle position sensor is usually located on the body of the throttle, and when it malfunctions, the check engine warning light is triggered.
The driver will also notice symptoms such as surge, rough idle, hesitation or stall. This is because the engine control module will not understand what the throttle position is and won’t be able to correctly set the fuel mixture or ignition timing.
Related: What is Throttle Position Sensor? Its Applications, Symptoms, & Working Principle
How to reset a throttle position sensor
To reset a throttle position sensor, you need to detach the battery, reattach the battery, set the ignition to electric, push the throttle pedal down, and then turn the key to the off position.
Detach the battery
Be sure to disconnect the battery for at least five minutes before moving on to the next procedure.
Reattach the battery
When the five minutes are up, reattach the battery, but don’t try to do anything else.
Set the ignition to “electric”.
Put the key in the ignition now and switch to electric so that your car’s entire dashboard illuminates.
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Push the gas pedal all the way down
You should perform the subsequent procedure three times. First, slowly depress the gas pedal all the way to the floor. It should only take around four seconds, and after the pedal touches the floor, you should leave it there for an additional three seconds or more.
Similarly, if you depress the accelerator pedal, you should release it gradually, taking four seconds again. Repeat this process three times.
Turn the key to the off position
After completing the fourth procedure, you should turn the ignition switch to the “off” position and remove the key for approximately 10 seconds. The operation is successful if your idleness is still there. If it isn’t, you might have to go through the third & fourth procedures again to get it to stay stable.
Alternatively, you can try disconnecting your battery’s negative cable for around five minutes in order to reprogram your throttle position sensor. In addition, you can take the fuse out of your engine control module.
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FAQs
How do I reset my throttle position sensor manually?
If you want to reset the throttle position sensor, you should detach the battery, reattach it, change the ignition to electric, then push the throttle pedal down.
How does a car act when the throttle position sensor is bad?
You’ll notice hesitation during acceleration and also difficulty in gear shifting.
What happens if you disconnect the throttle position sensor?
This mode will limit the engine’s power output, resulting in sluggish acceleration and reduced overall performance. Poor fuel efficiency: Without accurate throttle position data, the ECM/ECU cannot optimise the air-fuel mixture, leading to reduced fuel efficiency and potentially increased emissions.
How do you adjust a throttle position sensor?
To adjust the TPS, you need to loosen the mounting screws and rotate the sensor slightly. You can use the DMM to monitor the voltage or ohms of the TPS while you adjust it. You need to align the sensor with the throttle valve position and match the desired voltage or ohms according to your vehicle’s specifications.
How to fix a bad throttle position sensor?
The easiest way to reset your throttle position sensor is to unhook the negative cable from your battery for up to five minutes or to remove the fuse for your engine control module.
Does throttle position sensor affect acceleration?
Yes, a malfunctioning Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) can indeed cause poor acceleration. The TPS is a crucial component in the engine management system, as it monitors the position of the throttle plate and sends signals to the engine control module (ECM) to adjust the air-fuel mixture for optimal performance.