Throttle Position Sensor

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan, 2003 Dodge Caravan, 2003 Chrysler Voyager, and 2003 Chrysler Town & Country. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Throttle Position (TP) sensor is mounted to the side of the throttle body. See Fig 1 or Fig 2 . The sensor connects to the throttle blade shaft. The TP sensor is a variable resistor that provides the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with an input voltage signal. The signal represents throttle blade position. As the position of the throttle blade changes, the resistance of the TP sensor changes. The PCM supplies approximately 5 volts to the TP sensor. The TP sensor output voltage (input signal to the PCM) represents throttle blade position. The TP sensor output voltage to the PCM varies from approximately 0.6 volt at minimum throttle opening (idle) to a maximum of 4.5 volts at wide open throttle. Along with inputs from other sensors, the PCM uses the TP sensor input to determine current engine operating conditions. The PCM also adjusts fuel injector pulse width and ignition timing based on these inputs.

Fig 1: Locating Throttle Position Sensor (2.4L)

Courtesy of CHRYSLER CORP.

Fig 2: Locating Throttle Position Sensor (3.3L & 3.8L)

Courtesy of CHRYSLER CORP.