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TPS Sensor

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Old Nov 10, 2019 | 11:04 AM
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Default TPS Sensor

Okay so, my engine is really bogging down, when you press the gas pedal the car just doesn't want to go and is bogging down. I cleaned the MAF sensor and no change, so I figure the TPS sensor is bad so I bought a new one. Today I attempted to change it but I cannot get my stubby screwdriver to turn the screws on the dang thing, just not enough room to get a good grip. Do you have to take the cowling apart in order to reach the TPS sensor better? Has anyone had to do this? I cannot seem to find proper instructions on how to change this sensor. Thanks in advance for any help or info regarding this task.
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Old Nov 10, 2019 | 02:02 PM
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Is your check engine light on? Did you check for codes, even if it is not on?
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Old Nov 10, 2019 | 02:15 PM
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The check engine light is on yes, but the engine is bogging down so much that I cannot safely drive it somewhere to get it scanned. I don't have a scanner. Just by the way it is acting, it would seem to be the tps sensor. A while back I noticed that at wide open throttle, it would bog down also. It bogged down on me once before also and then cleared up, I figure the sensor must've been crapping out. Check engine light has been on since we got the vehicle from my Dad. He thought it needed a catalytic converter. I had it scanned and came up with only one code for the O2 sensor on the firewall side of the engine, I replaced that sensor, check engine light came back on with the exact same code, go figure.
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Old Nov 10, 2019 | 03:43 PM
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IAC is for idle .. foot of the gas pedal.
TPS in First gen is tell the transmission to drop a gear... the first gen the throttle is still connected by cable.

Salim
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Old Nov 10, 2019 | 07:05 PM
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The engine idles fine as it should. It bogs down when you press the accelerator pedal and doesn't want to go. My driveway has a fairly steep slope and it will barely climb the hill, acts like it has no power.
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Old Nov 11, 2019 | 06:01 PM
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So, does anyone have or know where to find instructions for removing the cowling so you can reach the TPS sensor?
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Old Nov 12, 2019 | 08:54 PM
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imho ... your issue has nothing to do with TPS. With fuel injection when the driver mashes the gas pedal the TPS tells the transmission to drop to lower gear while the air is let in and the metering system adds more gas. In drive by wire [not cable] the TPS senses the gas pedal position and acts as a throttle.

Put the vehicle in Park and share how it behave as you gently press the gas pedal. No load condition.

How does in work on flat road? When you mash the pedal does the RX drop down to lower gear and speed up.

Stop before the incline and out the transmission in low gear and see if you have enough power to go uo hiill

Are your brakes dragging?

Just for grins, check the engine codes.

Salim
PS: You have discovered this thread already
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...n-removal.html

Last edited by salimshah; Nov 12, 2019 at 08:58 PM.
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Old Nov 13, 2019 | 03:16 AM
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Thanks, I will try all of that when I get home from work today. I don't have a scanner so I would have to drive it somewhere and I don't feel comfortable driving in traffic the way it is acting right now. I know that in park, it idles fine, revs fine, when starting out, it just bogs down and acts like it doesn't want to go, but it seems to shift okay. I am wondering now if it could be the catalytic converter. When my Dad gave me the vehicle a few months ago he told me he thought it needed a new one, it's been driving fine up until recently, just started acting this way about a week ago. I did notice when I first got it that at wide open throttle it would bog down also but in normal driving conditions it would be fine. Thanks for all the help, maybe I can limp it to an autozone and have it scanned for codes.
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Old Nov 13, 2019 | 02:36 PM
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Issues with air intake [air filter] and exhaust can limit the amount of power being generated.

Salim
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Old Nov 13, 2019 | 08:52 PM
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Everyone should have a code reader, especially driving a 20 year old car. Wal-mart stocks one in store that is $20.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hyper-Tou...r-Red/54620271

Or order from Amazon for even less. The best option are the bluetooth readers that work with your smartphone. They give you real time data from the sensors along with any codes.
Amazon Amazon
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Old Nov 14, 2019 | 02:06 AM
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Thanks for the tip, yeah I really need a code reader, I have 6 vehicles, 2012 Honda Civic, then 2006 Nissan Quest, 2000 Lexus RX300, 1998 Buick Lesabre, 1997 Taurus SHO, 1968 Dodge D100 Custom, so gotta add a code reader to my toolbox for sure.
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Old Nov 14, 2019 | 05:25 PM
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Okay, going tomorrow to get a code reader. I've noticed that there is a diagnosis port under the hood, is this where I plug up the code reader or is there a port under the dash also? If you plug up under the dash, then what is the one under the hood for???
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Old Nov 14, 2019 | 05:41 PM
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Originally Posted by HobieMarty
Okay, going tomorrow to get a code reader. I've noticed that there is a diagnosis port under the hood, is this where I plug up the code reader or is there a port under the dash also? If you plug up under the dash, then what is the one under the hood for???
One under the hood is Lexus/Toyota proprietary port.

OBD is supposed to be within couple of feet of the driver.

Around left knee for US models.

Salim
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Old Nov 15, 2019 | 02:06 AM
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Okay thanks.
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Old Nov 15, 2019 | 08:47 PM
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Auto Zone loans scanners.
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