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Help with Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) Reading

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Old Jan 26, 2022 | 06:06 PM
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Help with Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) Reading

According to what I have found online, a multimeter test of the throttle position sensor on my 1994 F250 should read about 1v DC at closed throttle and slowly change when the throttle is opened. After doing a test of the TPS sensor I got 0.034v DC when closed and 0.025v DC when all the way open. I checked the voltage from the PCM which checked out at 5.050v DC. I checked the ground which checked out at 11.30v DC. I went to Autozone to get a replacement TPS and I am getting the same exact reading on the new unit. What am I missing? Both sensors can't be bad, correct?

Below is the url to the website that I used to test the TPS.
https://easyautodiagnostics.com/ford...sensor-tests-1
 
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Old Jan 27, 2022 | 09:15 PM
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This is not a GM unit were the TPS is like a big resistor varying voltage. This uses an FM wave and changes the frequency of the wave, the basis of the speed density system of Fords. It's difficult to measure w/o an ECCIV breakout box. I'll get back to you in a bit, that stuff is box packed out in my shop and I have to dig it out. I'm sure some one else will pop in the the data points and techniques of checking. Larry.
 
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Old Jan 27, 2022 | 10:51 PM
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Same happened to me. lol I used that same erroneous website
 

Last edited by Buzz0f; Jan 27, 2022 at 11:16 PM.
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Old Jan 27, 2022 | 11:07 PM
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Originally Posted by oldproudvet
This is not a GM unit were the TPS is like a big resistor varying voltage. This uses an FM wave and changes the frequency of the wave, the basis of the speed density system of Fords. It's difficult to measure w/o an ECCIV breakout box. I'll get back to you in a bit, that stuff is box packed out in my shop and I have to dig it out. I'm sure some one else will pop in the the data points and techniques of checking. Larry.
does a 94 not use a rotary poteniometer then? Wack(not WAC)
 
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Old Jan 27, 2022 | 11:14 PM
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Alright so,
Motorcraft TPS Wire Colors
VREF - Orange
TP SIG - Green
SIG RTN - Black

Measure between Green/Black and make sure that the TPS is not installed backwards on TB. Your reading will be decreasing voltage, if the throttle plate isn't moving the TPS in the right direction.
 
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Old Jan 27, 2022 | 11:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Buzz0f
Alright so,
Motorcraft TPS Wire Colors
VREF - Orange
TP SIG - Green
SIG RTN - Black

Measure between Green/Black and make sure that the TPS is not installed backwards on TB. Your reading will be decreasing voltage, if the throttle plate isn't moving the TPS in the right direction.
so now youre saying it is a potentiometer like EEC-V or at least MAF vehicles. What was the guy saying square wave stuff talking about?
 
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Old Jan 27, 2022 | 11:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Buzz0f
Same happened to me. lol I used that same erroneous website
Oh, so if the website is wrong that makes more sense.
 
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Old Jan 27, 2022 | 11:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Buzz0f
Alright so,
Motorcraft TPS Wire Colors
VREF - Orange
TP SIG - Green
SIG RTN - Black

Measure between Green/Black and make sure that the TPS is not installed backwards on TB. Your reading will be decreasing voltage, if the throttle plate isn't moving the TPS in the right direction.
Thank you for the information. I will try it that way and see how it goes.
 
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Old Jan 28, 2022 | 06:58 AM
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Originally Posted by oldproudvet
This is not a GM unit were the TPS is like a big resistor varying voltage.

Yes it is a big resistor, potentiometer to be exact.



Originally Posted by oldproudvet
This uses an FM wave and changes the frequency of the wave, the basis of the speed density system of Fords. It's difficult to measure w/o an ECCIV breakout box. I'll get back to you in a bit, that stuff is box packed out in my shop and I have to dig it out. I'm sure some one else will pop in the the data points and techniques of checking. Larry.
What you are describing is the MAP sensor. No breakout box required, just use a cheap DVM that can measure frequency.
 
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Old Jan 28, 2022 | 01:06 PM
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I actually went through exact same "problem" as the OP. Even went to the parts store like WTF u gave me junk.. Turns out I had it on backwards. I figured it out, once I started using the screwdriver to move it, away from the Throttle Body...
 
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Old Jan 28, 2022 | 04:50 PM
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And this is a very good write-up-->Throttle Position Sensor Testing, Replacement and Adjustment - Ford Bronco Forum
it tells shows resistance values, and what voltage closed is, and open is.
 
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Old Jan 28, 2022 | 06:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Buzz0f
Turns out I had it on backwards. I figured it out, once I started using the screwdriver to move it, away from the Throttle Body...
I am not entirely sure what you mean by that. I assume you are saying that you had the tabs on the sensor on the wrong side of the tabs on the throttle body so that moving the throttle didn’t move the sensor.
 
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