How to calibrate a Throttle Position Sensor with a multi-tester
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
Paul,
Sorry for the delayed response ... I was on vacation last week and I didn't get your message until this morning. Anyway, to your specific questions:
1) The x1 setting (range) on your multimeter should be correct
2) Yes, you are looking for either and open circuit (meter needle will not move, or if meter is digital, usually an "OL" display), or a short circuit (meter needle will move to 0 Ohms, or a digital display of 0 for digital meters ... I specified somewhere less than 2 Ohms in the procedure for this condition).
3) A feeler gauge is used in mechanical adjustments between two points (usually one of the points is fixed, and the other can vary), and can be found at any auto parts store such as Advanced Auto, AutoZone, etc. They vary in shapes and size ranges (usually in inches or millimeters).
Good luck ...
Sorry for the delayed response ... I was on vacation last week and I didn't get your message until this morning. Anyway, to your specific questions:
1) The x1 setting (range) on your multimeter should be correct
2) Yes, you are looking for either and open circuit (meter needle will not move, or if meter is digital, usually an "OL" display), or a short circuit (meter needle will move to 0 Ohms, or a digital display of 0 for digital meters ... I specified somewhere less than 2 Ohms in the procedure for this condition).
3) A feeler gauge is used in mechanical adjustments between two points (usually one of the points is fixed, and the other can vary), and can be found at any auto parts store such as Advanced Auto, AutoZone, etc. They vary in shapes and size ranges (usually in inches or millimeters).
Good luck ...
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: California
I know this is a very very old thread but very confusing to me
Is there perhaps a video of this? It will be very helpful. I have trac light code 51 which is the sub throttle position sensor voltage 1.47 or higher.
Is there perhaps a video of this? It will be very helpful. I have trac light code 51 which is the sub throttle position sensor voltage 1.47 or higher.
if you are having that code, chances are calibrating is not going to fix your issue... your TPS is most likely bad and will require replacement... how to check - simply pull the plug on the TPS, figure out which pin is ground and which is signal - should be close to 0 volts at closed throttle, close to 5 volts at wide open throttle... if it doesn't range like that, it is bad...
if you are having that code, chances are calibrating is not going to fix your issue... your TPS is most likely bad and will require replacement... how to check - simply pull the plug on the TPS, figure out which pin is ground and which is signal - should be close to 0 volts at closed throttle, close to 5 volts at wide open throttle... if it doesn't range like that, it is bad...
Best way to test it is with a scope and slowly open the throttle and watch for voltage drop. With a meter, you can do the same process.
That doesn't justify the sensor is bad. You must test the whole range, not just at full closed and full open. You can have a bad spot in between.
Best way to test it is with a scope and slowly open the throttle and watch for voltage drop. With a meter, you can do the same process.
Best way to test it is with a scope and slowly open the throttle and watch for voltage drop. With a meter, you can do the same process.
That code generally sets because the tps is returning an out of range signal...
That's not 100% true. Because since it doesn't happen all the time, it wouldn't set a code. I've seen many cars with glitches in the TPS and they will not set a code.
Read my post... that is exactly what I said, that a variation in the middle likely wont set a code... this Guy has a code, which is generally a value that is too high
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: California
I'm new at this and I'm a little lost. Idk if these numbers mean anything but I got an ohmmeter at an auto part store and the numbers I saw were 1.03 at most and around .7 or .6 lowest but I left it in the middle around .8 or .9 does that mean my tps is bad? I purchased one a while back but I didn't calibrate it and the trac light was still on. Maybe I should've checked the numbers on those? Its just that it isn't cheap so I thought my original one was good because it sounds the same so I returned it. I appreciate your time and response
Again thanks. What's the difference between the 2 tps? Sub throttle does that mean the tps to the left or right? When standing in front facing the car. Thanks in advance.
Again thanks. What's the difference between the 2 tps? Sub throttle does that mean the tps to the left or right? When standing in front facing the car. Thanks in advance.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Lexus NX 350h: A Fuel-Sipping Secret Hot Hatch???
Michael S. Palmer
5 Best & 5 Worst Lexus Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
Top 5 Hottest Lexus & Toyotas in 2026 (Hardest To Buy)
Brett Foote
2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles
Michael S. Palmer
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4
Joe Kucinski
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
dlamb89
ES - 1st to 6th Gen (1990-2018)
8
Jun 13, 2015 04:22 PM
frankjames
GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005)
4
May 12, 2009 06:00 PM
want sc300
SC - 1st Gen (1992-2000)
2
Nov 8, 2007 05:04 PM
