• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

I can't get my TPS sensor voltage up

  • Thread starter Thread starter x182dan
  • Start date Start date Jun 29, 2007
X

x182dan

New Member
Feb 27, 2006
17
0
1
Jun 29, 2007
#1
  • Jun 29, 2007
  • #1
I need help I'm going crazy trying to figure this mess out. My tps voltage at key on engine off is .26volts not anywhere close to .98. I changed the tps sensor came back with the same reading as before so the sensor is good. I check WOT voltage that was only around 2.25volts. I stuck a screwdriver into the senser with the sensor off the car to see what the MAX volts I could get out of the tps sense was and it went to around 2.5volts. I checked my ground for the tps and that was fine. I checked the voltage at the computer and it was the same so the wire should be fine. I also changed the ECM with no change. Any ideas? My CEL goes on about 5mins after driving the car and among other codes one code comes up as TPS sensor voltage to low. Any ideas? I don't know what else to check
 

BLOWN 5.0 FOX

Member
Apr 4, 2005
213
0
16
NORTH SHORE MA
Jun 29, 2007
#2
  • Jun 29, 2007
  • #2
are you checking the green wire? It should read around .90-.99 ish throttle closed Key on eng off.

Adjust it to .98-.99.

If you arnt getting close use a buddies known good part or buy a newbie.
 
X

x182dan

New Member
Feb 27, 2006
17
0
1
Jun 29, 2007
#3
  • Jun 29, 2007
  • #3
BLOWN 5.0 FOX said:
are you checking the green wire? It should read around .90-.99 ish throttle closed Key on eng off.

Adjust it to .98-.99.

If you arnt getting close use a buddies known good part or buy a newbie.
Click to expand...

sorry mines a 95 so its a different color wire but yes I know I am checking the correct wire. I tried two other "new" tps and both read exactly the same. It feels like my car falls on its face after 4grand and doesn't like to rev to redline with power. Is this normal for a stock 5.0? Sorry but I've never driven a stocker before
 

jrichker

StangNet's favorite TOOL
In Remembrance. Thank you for your contributions
Mar 10, 2000
27,512
2,813
234
Dublin GA
Jun 29, 2007
#4
  • Jun 29, 2007
  • #4
Check the brown/white wire for 5 volts. Use the black/white or grey/red wire for a ground.

TPS setting for 94-95 5.0 Mustangs
Setting the TPS: you'll need a good Digital Voltmeter (DVM) to do the job. Set the TPS voltage at .5- 1.1 range. Because of the variables involved with the tolerances of both computer and DVM, I would shoot for somewhere between .6 and 1.0 volts. Unless you have a Fluke or other high grade DVM, the second digit past the decimal point on cheap DVM’s is probably fantasy. Since the computer zeros out the TPS voltage every time it powers up, playing with the settings isn't an effective aid to performance or drivability. The main purpose of checking the TPS is to make sure it isn't way out of range and causing problems.

Note that the wire colors are different from the 86-93 model 5.0 Mustangs.
The Brown/White wire is the VREF 5 volts from the computer. You use the Greay/white wire (TPS signal) and the Black/White wire (TPS ground) to set the TPS. Use a pair of safety pins to probe the TPS connector from the rear of the connector. You may find it a little difficult to make a good connection, but keep trying. Put the safety pins in the Dark Green/Lt green wire and Black/White wire. Make sure the ignition switch is in the Run position but the engine isn't running.

Here’s a TPS tip I got from NoGo50

When you installed the sensor make sure you place it on the peg right and then tighten it down properly. Loosen the back screw a tiny bit so the sensor can pivot and loosen the front screw enough so you can move it just a little in very small increments. I wouldn’t try to adjust it using marks.

(copied from MustangMax, Glendale AZ)

A.) Always adjust the TPS and Idle with the engine at operating temp. Dive it around for a bit if you can and get it nice and warm.

B.) When you probe the leads of the TPS, do not use an engine ground, put the ground probe into the lead of the TPS. You should be connecting both meter probes to the TPS and not one to the TPS and the other to ground.

C.) Always reset the computer whenever you adjust the TPS or clean/change any sensors. I just pull the battery lead for 10 minutes.

D.) The key is to adjust the TPS voltage and reset the computer whenever the idle screw is changed.

The TPS is a variable resistor, must like the volume control knob on a cheap radio. We have all heard them crackle and pop when the volume is adjusted. The TPS sensor has the same problem: wear on the resistor element makes places that create electrical noise. This electrical noise confuses the computer, because it expects to see a smooth increase or decrease as the throttle is opened or closed.


Diagram courtesy of Tmoss & Stang&2birds


See the following website for some help from Tmoss (diagram designer) & Stang&2Birds (website host) for help on 88-95 wiring http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/ Everyone should bookmark this site.

Ignition switch wiring
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/IgnitionSwitchWiring.gif

Fuel, alternator, A/C and ignition wiring
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/fuel-alt-links-ign-ac.gif

Complete computer, actuator & sensor wiring diagram for 88-91 Mass Air Mustangs
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/88-91_5.0_EEC_Wiring_Diagram.gif

Vacuum diagram 89-93 Mustangs
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/mustangFoxFordVacuumDiagram.jpg

HVAC vacuum diagram
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/Mustang_AC_heat_vacuum_controls.gif

TFI module differences & pinout
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/TFI_5.0_comparison.gif
 

ShortThrow50

Member
Oct 22, 2006
923
2
16
Pa
Jun 30, 2007
#5
  • Jun 30, 2007
  • #5
yeah. Thats impossible. Either your not grounding good, or you tapping the wrong wire
 
X

x182dan

New Member
Feb 27, 2006
17
0
1
Jun 30, 2007
#6
  • Jun 30, 2007
  • #6
trust me on this I am checking the correct wire. Theres only three wires to check I checked all three. My ground is a good ground I am sure of that. My third wire is correct 5v. My issue is the reference voltage wire or something else thats making my tps low
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

A
P0036 P0056 P0137 P0157 2020 Ford Mustang GT
  • AmkoA
  • Jun 16, 2026
  • 2024+ (S650) Mustang -General/Talk
Replies
0
Views
87
2024+ (S650) Mustang -General/Talk Jun 16, 2026
AmkoA
A
S
Fuel ‘88 GT Runs Rich Cold — Fixes Itself When I Unplug Sensors (ECT, MAF, O2, etc.)
  • Sufarry
  • Nov 6, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
12
Views
808
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Nov 9, 2025
Mustang5L5
R
93 LX 2.3 Trouble codes 53, 85, 21 help
  • Rickshaw302
  • Apr 15, 2025
  • 2.3L (N/A & Turbo) Tech
Replies
17
Views
574
2.3L (N/A & Turbo) Tech Apr 18, 2025
AeroCoupe
SURGING IDLE / NO IDLE CHECKLIST FOR 1996–1998 MUSTANG GT (4.6L 2V) - Work In Progress
  • Noobz347
  • Aug 30, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
716
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Aug 30, 2025
Noobz347
8
Engine Rough idle and aggressive sputtering when accelerating
  • 88vertible
  • Aug 13, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
4
Views
1K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Dec 13, 2025
Jarhead67
J
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?