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Throttle position sensor (TPS) malfunction?

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Old Mar 8, 2005 | 07:12 AM
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Default Throttle position sensor (TPS) malfunction?

Just want to have a survey on this issue:
How many club members are suffering from TPS malfunction?
how much to fix this problem?
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Old Mar 8, 2005 | 07:18 AM
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What sort of malfunction are you talking about? Some folks think the 'low idle' exhibited by some GS4s is linked to dirty TPS; is that what you mean?.

Edit, I see your first post

Originally Posted by hsinchong
\

Throttle position sensor malfunction trigger the VSC and check engine lights on and the gs breaks down at once. Very disappointed on GS
I don't recall hearing of that issue before yours. Unless other folks post up, I'd guess it is an isolated incident. Your car in HK is probably a bit different than ours in a number of ways as well.

Last edited by DaveGS4; Mar 8, 2005 at 07:40 AM.
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Old Apr 15, 2005 | 01:23 PM
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I am having the exact same Engine Light and VSC on/off light issue and loss of power and also engine stall.

i hope that its only the TPS sensor.

Is this an easy fix and how much is it to get done?

Ted

Last edited by ted920; Apr 18, 2005 at 10:44 AM.
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Old Apr 15, 2005 | 04:17 PM
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Here's my 2 cents, and personal experience with a similar trouble.

Out of the blue one day, in town, my VSC light comes on, check engine light comes on, and the car can BARELY get out of it's own way. It's like I press down on the accelerator and damn near nothing happens. A dangerous situation in traffic! (btw, my car has 102,000 miles)

If you press WAAAAY down on the gas pedal, the car does go, so I limp it to a nearby parking lot.

The engine revs just fine, sounds fine, but in all gears, it barely moves.

I turn the car off, go into a restaurant and eat dinner. Come back out and start it up and everything is FINE.
My local Lexus dealer checks the codes a few days later and says "it's code xxx and that means it's your TPSensor. I ask 'how much'? He goes away, checks, comes back and says $150 for the TPS, $200 to install it. Takes a special tool that shows the throttle blade angle in PERCENTAGE.

I research things myself and find the part at Carson Toyota for only $60 or so, and I find that any decent OBDII diagnostic tool can display throttle blade angle in percentage's. The part bolts right into place, but it must be adjusted to ensure the engine runs smoothly.

The OBDII tools range from something like $100 for a cheap unit to several hundred for a super nice one.
They are NOT all the same. Anyone getting one should try to verify that the tool will read LEXUS codes, and which ones.

I haven't bought a tool yet, but if you search the forum, you'll see my old thread on the topic and I believe a few are mentioned there.

PS. I've not had a single re-occurance since that day and it's been many months now.


Good Luck!!
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Old Apr 15, 2005 | 04:24 PM
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Default my experience is a little different...

It happens when I'm rolling slowly like going around a corner or rolling up to make a left in an intersection.

I'll press down on the pedal and it won't totally react immediately and then if i press it again a little bit - it goes.

Is my TPS on the way out???

Can a normal Toyota dealership fix this? I have an excellent realtionship with a local toyota dealership.
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Old Apr 15, 2005 | 04:54 PM
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Originally Posted by cliffud
It happens when I'm rolling slowly like going around a corner or rolling up to make a left in an intersection.

I'll press down on the pedal and it won't totally react immediately and then if i press it again a little bit - it goes.

Is my TPS on the way out???

Can a normal Toyota dealership fix this? I have an excellent realtionship with a local toyota dealership.

any problem with idle

any warning lights ever come on

sometimes guys tighten up the slack in their throttle cables

seems to help
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Old Apr 16, 2005 | 01:37 AM
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Originally Posted by T.L.W.
any problem with idle

any warning lights ever come on

sometimes guys tighten up the slack in their throttle cables

seems to help
no problems with the idle, no warning lights ever come on either.

How does one tighten up the slack in their throttle cables? Does BananaGS have a 'how-to' on that?


c.
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Old Apr 16, 2005 | 10:37 AM
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i got mine done about a year ago. it was 120 for the part at sewell lexus in ft worth texas. but it was really easy to put on two screws.
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Old Apr 16, 2005 | 12:29 PM
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Originally Posted by cliffud
no problems with the idle, no warning lights ever come on either.

How does one tighten up the slack in their throttle cables? Does BananaGS have a 'how-to' on that?


c.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...highlight=idle
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Old Apr 17, 2005 | 11:49 AM
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Originally Posted by TRULUX
.......... but it was really easy to put on two screws.
Originally Posted by BA_GS400
............... $200 to install it. Takes a special tool that shows the throttle blade angle in PERCENTAGE.
so which one is it?
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Old Apr 17, 2005 | 12:33 PM
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its both from what ive read on CL while doing a search

easy to put on but you neeed to make sure you have it set right
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Old Apr 17, 2005 | 01:45 PM
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I agree. You can bolt that thing on and probably be just fine........maybe. it's a shot in the dark. TPS's have a range of adjustability and anyone could certainly bolt it on and have it close enough to drive.

If, however, you want to make sure it is adjusted correctly, you'll need the tool. This is what the dealership should be doing for you if you were to have them do this replacement.
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Old Apr 20, 2005 | 02:33 PM
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I just ordered the TPS from Steve Ganze for $63.00

Can anyone show me a pic of where the TPS is connected and can I do this on my own or should I take it to a shop?

Should the shop be the Lexus dealer or just a general shop?

Ted
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Old Apr 20, 2005 | 02:43 PM
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Originally Posted by ted920
I just ordered the TPS from Steve Ganze for $63.00

Can anyone show me a pic of where the TPS is connected and can I do this on my own or should I take it to a shop?

Should the shop be the Lexus dealer or just a general shop?

Ted
I'd try bolting it on myself and then maybe take it to dealer to calibrate
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Old Apr 20, 2005 | 05:55 PM
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TPS malfunction is way to common a problem. I'd stick my face right into your Lexus Sevice Advisor/Manager face and demand that they replace it their cost. It's a dangerous event if it malfunctions at the wrong time (ie. expressway, freeway, etc). Mined failed a few years ago and my local Lexus dealer replaced at no charge. If I recall I believe I was out of warranty at the time.

Lexus knows they have a problem w/ that component and should be replacing for free.
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