Throttle Position Sensor: Description and Operation

Throttle Position Sensor:

The throttle position sensor consisting of a contact point (idle switch) and a potentiometer is connected to the throttle valve shaft on the throttle body, and detects the throttle valve opening.

The throttle opening in the idle state is detected by means of the contact point which turns ON in that state.

But beyond that the full opening is detected by the potentiometer as follows.

A 5-volt reference voltage is applied to the sensor from ECM and as its brush moves over the print resistance according to the throttle valve opening, the output voltage varies accordingly.

By monitoring the ON/OFF signal and sensor output voltage, ECM detects the throttle valve opening.

ECM uses the signal from TS as one of the signals to control fuel injector, ISC solenoid valve and EGR VSV.

Also, ECM converts the voltage signal from TS into ON/OFF signal and sends it to A/T control module, where it is used as one of the signals to control the automatic transmission.