So how does the TPS go bad?
The TPS sensor is a variable resistor like the volume control on most cheap radios.
We have all heard them make scratchy noises as you turn them up or down.
The carbon element can wear and cause a drop out spot in the output voltage.
This confuses the computer because it expects to see a steady TPS voltage
increase as the Throttle opens up.
Wire colors & functions:
Orange/white = 5 volt VREF from the computer
Dark Green/lt green = TPS output to computer
Black/white = Signal ground from computer
TPS troubleshooting steps:
1.) Use the Orange/white & Black white wires to verify the TPS has
the correct 5 volts source from the computer.
2.) Use the Dark Green/lt green & Black/white wires to set the
TPS base voltage. Try this... Currently there is some dispute about setting
it at .99 volts being worth the effort, but anything less is probably OK.
All you need is less than 1.0 volt at idle and more than 4.25 at Wide
Open Throttle (WOT). You'll need a voltmeter with a 1 or 3 volt low
scale to do the job.
3.) Use an
analog voltmeter to check the voltage on
the Dark Green/lt green & Black/white wires to make sure that it
increases smoothly and doesn’t drop out or increase suddenly.