If your throttle position sensor is bad or disconnected, you will notice several symptoms. Because the throttle position sensor is a critical sensor that sends data to the ECM about the opening and closing positions of the throttle butterfly, the ECM determines the proper fuel mixture and ignition for better engine performance.
But sometimes the throttle position sensor fails to function properly or stops working completely, which adversely affects the engine performance. Therefore, through this article, we will tell you in detail about the symptoms of a bad throttle position sensor so that you can recognize these symptoms, get it checked at the right time, and get it replaced if necessary.
What is a Throttle Position Sensor & How Does it Work?
The throttle position sensor in modern engines is the component that sends a signal to the ECM about the opening and closing positions of the throttle butterfly used in the engine. The vehicle’s ECM determines the proper fuel mixture and ignition for the engine based on this data.
Symptoms Of A Bad Throttle Position Sensor
Some symptoms of a bad or disconnected throttle position sensor are as follows:
1. Check Engine Light Illuminates
In modern vehicles, the main symptom of any sensor or electrical fault is the illumination of the check engine light in the cluster meter. A worn or damaged throttle position sensor is unable to provide accurate throttle body valve position data to the ECM, causing the vehicle’s ECM to first indicate the check engine light as a warning.
2. Engine Jerks During Acceleration
A bad or damaged throttle position sensor can result in engine jerking during acceleration. Because the throttle position sensor is unable to inform the ECM of the valve position of the throttle body during acceleration, the ECM is unable to determine the correct ratio of air and fuel in the fuel mixture of the engine, due to which the engine starts jerking during acceleration.
3. Rough Idle Issue
A bad or damaged throttle position sensor will often cause the engine to start in a rough idle position, due to which the engine RPM suddenly starts decreasing or increasing when the engine is running at idle or the engine starts over-accelerating many times.
4. Hesitation Acceleration
If the throttle position sensor is bad, the engine often starts to slow down during acceleration. Because a bad throttle position sensor does not inform the ECM about the actual position of the valves in the throttle body, it causes the ECM to be unable to determine the proper fuel mixture ratio for the engine and causes the engine to hesitate during acceleration.
5. Loss Of Engine Power
A poor throttle position sensor may result in a reduction in engine power performance. A bad position sensor is unable to inform the ECM of the actual position of the valves on the throttle body. Due to this, the ECM is not able to supply fuel according to engine acceleration.
Due to this, a reduction in the power performance of the engine can be felt. Because of the poor fuel-air ratio and low volume, the fuel combustion action in the internal combustion chamber of the engine is disrupted.
How To Fix Throttle Position Sensor
In order to fix the fault of the throttle position sensor, you must investigate its cause. First of all you have to scan the system of the vehicle with OBD scanner. so that you can know about the actual fault of the vehicle.
Then try changing the position of the throttle position sensor.
Check the reading of the throttle position sensor.
Check the wiring to the throttle position sensor.
Also check for air leaks from the throttle body.
Replace the bad or failing throttle position sensor with a new one.
Lastly, you can also check the engine control module.
Mechanic’s Mistake In Throttle Position Sensor Diagnosis
Mechanics often mistake the symptoms of a failing throttle position sensor for other faults. Instead of checking the throttle position sensor or making position adjustments, the first thing the mechanic does is replace the fuel injector or spark plug. Because the symptoms of all these reasons can be similar, Therefore, when this happens, the air leak from the throttle body should be checked.
Throttle Position Sensor Replacement Cost
Throttle position sensor replacement cost depends on the type of sensor and the mechanic’s labor costs.
On average, throttle position sensor replacement costs in typical cars can range from $175 to $240, including mechanic labor costs. This estimated cost does not include taxes and fees. A throttle position sensor can cost between $120 and $160, and mechanic labor costs can range from $55 to $80.
However, if you replace the throttle position sensor yourself, you can save on paying a mechanic’s labor costs.
FAQ’s
Here are some frequently asked questions about the throttle position sensor and their practical answers.
What Does The Throttle Position Sensor Do?
The throttle position sensor sends information to the ECM about the actual valve opening position of the engine’s throttle body. The throttle body controls the air and sends it to the engine’s intake manifold.
How Do You Reset The Throttle Position Sensor?
You can use an OBD digital scanner to reset your throttle position sensor. Or you remove the main wire from one terminal of the battery for some time or the ECM fuse may be blown. But in some expensive and very modern vehicles, removing the battery supply may reset the entire system memory data from the ECM.
