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

Progress Thread Throttle Position Sensor Adjustment ?

  • Thread starter Thread starter SF Lex
  • Start date Start date Oct 1, 2016

SF Lex

Advanced Member
Mar 8, 2016
230
125
73
CoCo County, California
Oct 1, 2016
#1
  • Oct 1, 2016
  • #1
When i upgraded my throttle body, mass air flow, and added a cold air intake, i replaced the throttle body sensor with a new one. Every since it gives me a engine light error inside. I read that its suppose to be like at below 1 voltage or something ? I don't have any device to read the voltage, is there a easy way to fix this ? Any advice would be helpful. I want that engine light to go away, and i dont' know if by not having the sensor at the correct voltage, if its going to mess something else up ? Does anyone know ?
I found this video, but again i don't have any voltage readers, and i'm unsure if i should mess with it like this guy. Not sure if thats safe ?

Upgrades ..

  • Media owner SF Lex
  • Date added Aug 1, 2016
When i purchased my Foxbody, this was the additions i put into the engine.

 
2

2011rustang5o

Active Member
Jan 5, 2011
113
16
38
Oct 1, 2016
#2
  • Oct 1, 2016
  • #2
Go to harbor freight and get a $20 multimeter.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Reactions: SF Lex

SF Lex

Advanced Member
Mar 8, 2016
230
125
73
CoCo County, California
Oct 1, 2016
#3
  • Oct 1, 2016
  • #3
2011rustang5o said:
Go to harbor freight and get a $20 multimeter.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Would this do the trick ?
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/PFM0/W2974.oap

 
Last edited: Oct 1, 2016

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,154
17,844
224
Massachusetts
Oct 1, 2016
#4
  • Oct 1, 2016
  • #4
Anything within 0.6 - 1.1 volts is in spec. Outside the range throws a code.

Adjusting to 0.999 volts is an outdated myth.


Multimeters are pretty cheap. At least one suitable for automotive troubleshooting. I'll stick to using my Greenlee when I do home electrical work



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
2

2011rustang5o

Active Member
Jan 5, 2011
113
16
38
Oct 1, 2016
#5
  • Oct 1, 2016
  • #5
SF Lex said:
Would this do the trick ?
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/PFM0/W2974.oap

Click to expand...

Anything that reads decimals you are good. Some only read whole numbers.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

SF Lex

Advanced Member
Mar 8, 2016
230
125
73
CoCo County, California
Oct 1, 2016
#6
  • Oct 1, 2016
  • #6
Mustang5L5 said:
Anything within 0.6 - 1.1 volts is in spec. Outside the range throws a code.

Adjusting to 0.999 volts is an outdated myth.


Multimeters are pretty cheap. At least one suitable for automotive troubleshooting. I'll stick to using my Greenlee when I do home electrical work



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
I just went and purchased this one here. I can go back if its wrong.

http://www.harborfreight.com/digital-clamp-meter-96308.html
 

mikestang63

SN Certified Technician
Aug 27, 2012
11,606
8,859
214
In the garage
Oct 1, 2016
#7
  • Oct 1, 2016
  • #7
know that your shiny new CAI may cause turbulence to your MAF and cause an idle surge, requiring you to clock the MAF.
 
Reactions: stangboy

SF Lex

Advanced Member
Mar 8, 2016
230
125
73
CoCo County, California
Oct 1, 2016
#8
  • Oct 1, 2016
  • #8
mikestang63 said:
know that your shiny new CAI may cause turbulence to your MAF and cause an idle surge, requiring you to clock the MAF.
Click to expand...

 

a91what

SendMeUrDataLog
10 Year Member
Apr 6, 2011
10,739
6,720
214
Hillsborough county
Oct 1, 2016
#9
  • Oct 1, 2016
  • #9
The stock air box is a true cai. The one you purchased has a bend in the pipe right before the MAF this causes turbulence in the air stream throwing off the MAF reading. To remedy this condition it may he necessary to clock the MAF from the 12 position closer to the 3 position.

IMHO "cai" suck stock box w silencer removed and a good filter will flow more air than even the gt40 heads/intake need.
 
Reactions: stangboy

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,154
17,844
224
Massachusetts
Oct 1, 2016
#10
  • Oct 1, 2016
  • #10
Yes, that multimeter will work. 300= is the range you'll use.

What's the actual code to got? Let's start there


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Moosee1955

Active Member
Sep 30, 2016
267
55
38
Oct 1, 2016
#11
  • Oct 1, 2016
  • #11
A new throttle position sensor should not throw a code. You could have a power issue or ground that's throwing the code. You need to get a set of wire probes that have a alligator clip on other end you need to see if you have 5 volts at reference wire, then check between green and ground I believe to set at 1.0 volt. I've had a 86 gt and a 89 Lincoln mark 7 same motor. You need to file some of the plastic of the tps switch to adjust it. Again mine never seemed to trip light. Check to be sure all wires have power and ground. They go directly into computer so be carefull testing. You also could have gotten a bum switch from your parts store.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,154
17,844
224
Massachusetts
Oct 1, 2016
#12
  • Oct 1, 2016
  • #12
If TPS voltage is below 0.6v at idle, you get a code 63

If it's higher than 1.1 v at idle, you get a code 53.

If neither of those two codes are present, your TPS is fine, nothing to adjust.

Anything between 0.6-1.1 is fine. Run the codes first. No code 53/63? Move on to troubleshooting elsewhere


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

SF Lex

Advanced Member
Mar 8, 2016
230
125
73
CoCo County, California
Oct 1, 2016
#13
  • Oct 1, 2016
  • #13
All i know is i probably should not have messed with it, cause now i'm not sure if its idling right. I remember way back when i installed these parts - Wasn't i suppose to take off the positive on the battery, and leave it off for about 15 minutes so it can resest ? I want it to get it right, but my reader just isn't reading numbers until i turn off the key. Then it reads ?
These instruction seem ligit. I'm unsure if i have the right sensor.

file:///C:/Users/Big%20AL/Downloads/INS013.pdf
 

stangboy

Founding Member
Aug 31, 1999
3,932
469
194
New Orleans, LA
Oct 1, 2016
#14
  • Oct 1, 2016
  • #14
You're supposed to check TPS voltage with the key ON engine OFF. I set mine to .985 and it idles fine. Before I set the voltage it wouldn't idle at all.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,154
17,844
224
Massachusetts
Oct 1, 2016
#15
  • Oct 1, 2016
  • #15
SF Lex said:
All i know is i probably should not have messed with it, cause now i'm not sure if its idling right. I remember way back when i installed these parts - Wasn't i suppose to take off the positive on the battery, and leave it off for about 15 minutes so it can resest ?
Click to expand...

Not for the TPS. It's widely misunderstood how it works. Basically each time you start the engine, the ecu sets whatever voltage it reads at idle as its "zero" point and assumes any voltage above it is an increase in throttle, and asjust fuel/timing accordingly.

That's why the engine may run a bit smoother and such while you "adjust" it. It thinks you are increasing throttle, so it changes the fuel/timing.

As soon as the car it turned off, it's all for naught as the ecu resets the idle zero point each time. That's why the "set TPS to .99" thing is rarely heard these days.

The adjust and unplug computer thing is the idle set adjustment. Unplug the IAC, set the idle to a low stable idle using the set screw, then disconnect computer 30 mins, and plug IAC bsck in, reconnect, and start.

TPS idle range is 0.6-1.1v
Wot is 3.7 volts

If you are in those specs, you are fine.

As for code dumping. The innova 3145 makes things simple. It's $25 from various sources and makes code reading a breeze



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Reactions: stangboy and SF Lex

Moosee1955

Active Member
Sep 30, 2016
267
55
38
Oct 1, 2016
#16
  • Oct 1, 2016
  • #16
Guess I was lucky with mine. The idle didn't change much on mine no matter where I set it. The idle wasn't perfect but adjusting to 1.0 volt didn't seem to make it any better/ worse. What did make a diff was spark plug wire routing, but definitely get the tps set right. The probes are touchy when you try to get reading, be patient. I could never get the ones on my 89 Lincoln right for testing, but a friend who also is a mechanic could get a reading no problem.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Reactions: SF Lex

SF Lex

Advanced Member
Mar 8, 2016
230
125
73
CoCo County, California
Oct 2, 2016
#17
  • Oct 2, 2016
  • #17
Mustang5L5 said:
Not for the TPS. It's widely misunderstood how it works. Basically each time you start the engine, the ecu sets whatever voltage it reads at idle as its "zero" point and assumes any voltage above it is an increase in throttle, and asjust fuel/timing accordingly.

That's why the engine may run a bit smoother and such while you "adjust" it. It thinks you are increasing throttle, so it changes the fuel/timing.

As soon as the car it turned off, it's all for naught as the ecu resets the idle zero point each time. That's why the "set TPS to .99" thing is rarely heard these days.

The adjust and unplug computer thing is the idle set adjustment. Unplug the IAC, set the idle to a low stable idle using the set screw, then disconnect computer 30 mins, and plug IAC bsck in, reconnect, and start.

TPS idle range is 0.6-1.1v
Wot is 3.7 volts

If you are in those specs, you are fine.

As for code dumping. The innova 3145 makes things simple. It's $25 from various sources and makes code reading a breeze



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Well my reader is not reading the voltage. But i adjusted the sensor to a low point, with minor throttle. It won't turn off or anything, but i will follow this info.
Yes, Check engine light is gone !!
 
Last edited: Oct 2, 2016
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

G
2006 Mustang GT o2 Sensor Wiring Issue Car Bogging/Choking
  • GCantero93
  • Sep 5, 2025
  • 2005 - 2009 Specific Tech
Replies
4
Views
780
2005 - 2009 Specific Tech Sep 6, 2025
Noobz347
K
Engine 2000 Mustang GT - Fuel issue post-blown spark plug repair
  • kenster1092
  • Feb 26, 2026
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
4
Views
283
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Mar 10, 2026
kenster1092
K
R
93 LX 2.3 Trouble codes 53, 85, 21 help
  • Rickshaw302
  • Apr 15, 2025
  • 2.3L (N/A & Turbo) Tech
Replies
17
Views
517
2.3L (N/A & Turbo) Tech Apr 18, 2025
AeroCoupe
0
'04 V6 running rich excessively on both banks
  • 04DSGVert
  • Oct 26, 2025
  • SN95 V6 Mustang Tech
Replies
2
Views
293
SN95 V6 Mustang Tech Oct 27, 2025
04DSGVert
0
G
Sputtering/misfiring below 2500rpm
  • Godless
  • Sep 14, 2025
  • 2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
5
Views
330
2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk- Sep 14, 2025
gkomo
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
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?