Throttle Position Sensor

The throttle position sensor (TPS) is part of the closed loop control of the current ‘drive-by-wire’ throttle system of a vehicle's engine management. It maintains the relationship between the driver’s control of the accelerator pedal and the throttle body. The TPS is used to monitor the position of the throttle butterfly valve to ensure the throttle body actuator works in conjunction with the accelerator pedal. The TPS signal is continually measuring its position and is combined with other data such as air temperature, engine RPM, air mass flow, and how quickly the throttle position changes. This data determines precisely how much fuel to inject into the engine at any given moment. A working throttle position sensor will enable the vehicle to accelerate, cruise, or decelerate smoothly and efficiently.

Throttle Position Failures Detection

The throttle position sensor can fail in several ways, all of which result in poor fuel economy at best, and performance limitations that may create safety hazard for you and other motorists at worst. The sensor can fail gradually, or all at once. In most cases, the Check Engine Light is illuminated if a TPS failure is detected. Also, most manufacturers provide a “limp home” mode of operation with reduced power if a failure is detected. This is intended to at least allow a driver to get off a busy highway in a safe manner.
Once the TPS begins to fail, even partially, you’ll need to replace it right away. Without a properly functioning throttle position sensor, the ratio of the air-fuel mixture of the engine will be compromised, which will result in the problems for the car to run smoothly.

Common Issues

  • Car won’t accelerate, lacks power when accelerating, or accelerates itself
  • Engine won’t idle smoothly, idles too slowly, or stalls
  • Car accelerates, but won’t exceed a relatively low speed, or shift up
  • Check Engine Light comes on, accompanied by any of the above behaviours

Why Choose Cambiare?

Cambiare has a diverse range of throttle position sensors which covers over 5.3 million vehicles on the UK roads. The Cambiare throttle position sensors accurately communicate the position of the vehicle's throttle to its ECU. The Cambiare sensors are manufactured in a robust manner to calculate data, which signals the ECU to trigger or inhibit fuel injection and ignition relative to the engine's operating conditions and meets OE specifications and requirements.

Value Added Services

  • 2 year or 30,000 mile warranty, whichever comes first
  • Technical helpline 0845 543 8280
  • OE quality, BER compliant parts

For further information, please contact your local FPS representative.