Symptoms of Throttle Position Sensor Failure

The throttle position sensor (TPS) is one of the thousands of system components that work together to guarantee that your vehicle's engine works to its greatest capacity. Because it controls the flow of air to the engine, the throttle body is a crucial aspect of fuel management. The throttle position sensor's data, which allows it to monitor air into the engine, is used to compute the precise amount of gasoline to inject into the engine at any given time.

Suppose that the throttle position sensor and its associated components are doing their duties properly. Your vehicle will accelerate, coast, and cruise as expected in this condition while maintaining peak performance. When the throttle position sensor fails, however, you may notice a variety of symptoms, including performance limitations, low fuel efficiency, and erratic idling, to name a few.

A Faulty Throttle Position Sensor's Signs and Symptoms

A defective or broken throttle position sensor will be indicated by several indicators on your vehicle. A clogged throttle body might also produce some of these symptoms. Others, on the other hand, point to a variety of engine problems. You most likely have a malfunctioning throttle position sensor if you have two or more of the following symptoms:

The Engine Management Light Comes On

The throttle position sensor plays a crucial role in the internal combustion process. You'll notice a considerable drop in engine performance and jerky acceleration if this car sensor fails. As a result, the ECU will detect the issue and turn on the dashboard's engine warning light. That way, you'll be able to tell if your engine has a problem that has to be fixed. Look for reputable car garages in Reading before your next MOT testing service is due to book your car with a specialist to address the problem and avoid a possible MOT test failure.

Rough Idle, Engine Stalling, or Slow Idle

If your engine is rough idling, stalls, or idles too slowly, you might wonder if a "bad throttle position sensor causes a misfire." It's likely that your throttle position sensor has failed if you notice engine misfire, stalling, or severe idling while parked or stopped. When you start your car and let it idle, the RPM should be around 600-900. If your idle RPMs slip outside of that range, you're experiencing irregular or severe idling. “It can be traced back to a defective throttle position sensor if it occurs in conjunction with one or more of the symptoms on the list.” This can also lead to a MOT failure so, it is recommended to check MOT expiry date of your vehicle and rectify this issue before booking your next MOT test.

Slow or No Acceleration

Your car may appear to not accelerate as rapidly as it should, or it may pause, jerk, or run unevenly if your TPS is faulty. Although the vehicle's engine accelerates swiftly, it is underpowered. On the other side, it may suddenly accelerate while driving. There's a strong chance you have a defective throttle position sensor if you notice these symptoms. If this is the case, the throttle position sensor will send a false signal, preventing your vehicle's ECU from controlling the engine properly.

Car Accelerates Normally but Will Not Exceed a Specific Low Speed

This is a common TPS failure symptom, suggesting that the TPS isn't giving adequate power to the accelerator pedal. Your automobile will idle and accelerate smoothly in this case, but it will not exceed a low-speed limit of 25-35 MPH.

Automatic Transmission Problems

You could wonder, 'Can the throttle position sensor affect gearbox shifting?' Without a doubt. The throttle position sensor detects how fast an engine accelerates when the accelerator pedal on the driver's side is pushed all the way to the right on the floor. The throttle position sensor controls how much fuel enters the engine, allowing the driver to gauge engine load and speed. Automatic transmissions may have trouble changing gears if it is faulty.

Poor Fuel Efficiency

Since the throttle position sensor is so critical in providing a proper air/fuel mixture for the combustion process, a misleading signal from a malfunctioning TPS can result in excess fuel being delivered into the cylinders, causing Lean/Rich fuel mixture problems and low fuel economy. Other sensor partners receive precise signals from the throttle position sensor. If the sensors fail, the sensors will produce too little or too much airflow, resulting in poor fuel economy. If you detect high fuel use, examine your vehicle's 02 sensors, as it plays an essential role in fuel mileage.