How to Adjust the TPS on Vehicles

by Contributing WriterUpdated June 12, 2017

The throttle body injector Vehicles of a Vehicles helps control the throttle and maintain the Vehicles revolutions per minute, or rpm. Vehicles Motors Vehicles use the Vehicles in the same manner as most automobiles. To adjust the throttle position sensor (TPS) of the Vehicles you must remove the Vehicles and alter its makeup slightly. Turning the TPS down may help improve the way your Vehicles runs, but if you turn it too low, your Vehicles may not start. Adjusting the Vehicles requires precise movements and should only be attempted by someone familiar with Vehicles engines.

Under The Hood:

 How to Adjust the TPS on a 1994 3.0 V6 Toyota Pickup

Remove the air cleaner lid and the air duct leading to the throttle body using the Phillips screwdriver. Pull the air duct off the throttle body. Stick the pin in the center wire of the throttle position sensor plug.

Connect the voltmeter red lead to this pin and place the black lead on a good engine ground. Loosen the two screws securing the sensor to the throttle body using the Phillips screwdriver.

Turn the ignition key on but do not start the engine. Rotate the sensor left or right until the voltmeter displays 0.50 volts. Tighten the two bolts in the sensor so it will no longer move. Pull the pin out of the wire on the sensor. Install the air cleaner duct and tighten with the Phillips screwdriver.

Items you will need

  • Phillips screwdriver

  • Voltmeter

  • Needle

 How to Adjust TPS on a Protege

Locate the TPS on the throttle body near the air intake hose. Verify that the throttle valve is closed. Unplug the connector from the throttle position sensor.

Measure the resistance between the TPS connector terminals "A" and "C" with a multimeter. The TPS should read between 4.0 and 5.5 volts. If the TPS reads outside of this range, the sensor must be adjusted.

Loosen the throttle position sensor retaining screw with a Phillips-head screwdriver. Adjust the TPS by moving it back and forth until the voltage is between 4.0 and 5.5 volts.

Hold the TPS in place and tighten the retaining screw with the Phillips-head screwdriver. Measure the TPS with the multimeter once more to make sure the new settings have been achieved.

Items you will need

  • Multimeter

  • Phillips-head screwdriver

 How to Adjust the TPS on a Honda

Turn the engine on and let it warm up for about five minutes. Shut the engine off and locate the AWS hose in the back of the carburetor attached to the curved inlet pipe near the throttle arm.

Remove the AWS hose from the inlet pipe to access the TPS sensor on the firewall. Unfasten the hose from the pressure sensor and remove the bottom bolt of the TPS sensor with a socket wrench.

Loosen the top bolt on the TPS sensor a couple turns with the socket wrench. Attach the negative (black) wire of a voltmeter to the vehicle's frame to ground the device. Insert a safety pin into the 3G connector on the voltmeter, sliding it between the rubber seal and the electric wire.

Attach the positive (red) wire of the voltmeter to the safety pin and turn on the ignition switch without cranking the engine. Check the closed and open voltages on the meter.

Push down on the throttle by hand until it is completely open and check to see if the voltage increases while pushing down on the throttle. Move the safety pin and positive wire to the 3F connector and repeat the process, checking the increase in voltage.

Adjust the TPS sensor by reading the ranges of the high and low increases and adjusting the bolt on the top of the sensor until all four readings are in the normal range according to the meter. Secure the bolt at the bottom of the TPS sensor and attach the hoses to the sensor and inlet pipe.

Items you will need

  • Socket wrench set

  • Voltmeter

  • Safety pin

 How to Adjust the TPS on a GM TBI

Turn your car off by turning the key counterclockwise. Remove the key from the ignition.

Open the hood of your car and locate the TBI. The location of the TBI will vary, depending on your GM vehicle. Consult the engine diagram that came with your vehicle for extra guidance.

Remove the TBI using an Allen wrench. Unscrew the TBI's bolt with the wrench and pull the TBI from the car. Set it on a flat surface.

Test the voltage of your TBI using a multimeter. Push the multimeter pin into the TPS screw and check the voltage. Note the reading on the multimeter.

Adjust the TBI. Turn the throttle down by tightening the TBI's screws. Tighten the screw by turning it clockwise.

Test the voltage of your TBI using a multimeter. Push the multimeter pin into the TPS screw and check the voltage. The reading should be the same as the previous reading.

Replace the TBI by placing it back in the engine. Close the hood of the car. Start the engine to test the TBI. Take note of the rpm when the car is in park.

Items you will need

  • Allen wrench

  • Multimeter

  • Screwdriver

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