Circuit Description
The PCM supplies a 5.0 V reference signal and a ground to the Throttle Position (TP) sensor. The TP sensor sends a voltage signal back to the PCM relative to the throttle plate opening. The voltage signal will vary from approximately 0.35 V at closed throttle, to over 4.65 V at wide open throttle. The PCM can detect if the TP sensor is out of the above range while cruising by waiting for a Manifold Air Pressure (MAP) change and then checks if the TP sensor has also changed as expected by calculating what the TP signal should be at a given RPM and engine load. During idle conditions, the PCM verifies that the engine is stable and at idle, and ensures that the TP signal is below a given percent.
Conditions for Setting the DTC
DTC(s) P0106, P0107, P0108, P0171, P0172, P0200, P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304, P0325, P0335, P0341, P0342, P0404, P0405, P0440, P0442, P0452, P0453, P0502, P0506, P0507, P0601, P0602, P1441 not set.
TP angle is greater than 7% at idle after attempting to auto-zero.
| • | Engine run time is greater than 20 seconds. |
| • | Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) is greater than 20°C (68°F). |
| • | TP is stable ± 2%. |
| • | MAP is less than 30 kPa. (Manual) |
| • | MAP is less than 45 kPa. (Automatic) |
And
TP angle is greater than the following specified percentages at the given RPMs for at least 6 seconds.
| • | TP angle is greater than 2% at 0 RPM |
| • | TP angle is greater than 10% at 800 RPM |
| • | TP angle is greater than 20% at 1,600 RPM |
| • | TP angle is greater than 25% at 2,400 RPM |
| • | TP angle is greater than 30% at 3,200 RPM |
| • | TP angle is greater than 35% at 4,000 RPM |
| • | TP angle is greater than 35% at 4,800 RPM |
| • | TP angle is greater than 40% at 5,600 RPM |
| • | TP angle is greater than 40% at 6,400 RPM |
Action Taken When the DTC Sets
| • | The malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) will illuminate after two consecutive ignition cycles in which the diagnostic runs with the malfunction present. |
| • | The PCM will record the operating conditions at the time that the diagnostic fails. This information will store in the Freeze Frame and Failure Records buffers. |
| • | A history DTC stores. |
Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC
| • | The MIL will turn OFF after three consecutive ignition cycles in which the diagnostic runs without a fault. |
| • | A history DTC will clear after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles without a fault. |
| • | The MIL/DTCs can be cleared by using the scan tool. |
Diagnostic Aids
| • | A TP sensor that is stuck will attempt an auto zero every time that the engine runs. An indication of this happening would be the TP sensor percentage will be 0 percent and the TP sensor voltage will be high. |
| • | Using a DMM in order to check the TP sensor 5 volt reference circuits may not detect small amounts of resistance. Connecting a jumper wire from the TP sensor 5 volt reference circuit to the TP sensor signal circuit is a better test in this situation. |
| • | Certain conditions can produce normal results when probed, but can cause a bad reading when connected. Check for the following conditions on the TP sensor electrical connectors: |
| • | Spread terminals |
| • | Poor electrical terminal connections |
| • | If a DTC P0121 cannot be duplicated, the information included in the Freeze Frame/Failure Records data can be useful. Use the scan tool DTC information data in order to determine the status of the DTC. |
Test Description
Number(s) below refer to the step number(s) on the Diagnostic Table.
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The Powertrain OBD System Check prompts the technician to complete some basic checks and store the freeze frame and failure records data on the scan tool if applicable. This creates an electronic copy of the data taken when the malfunction occurred. The information is then stored in the scan tool for later reference.
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The TP sensor has an auto zeroing feature. If the voltage reading is between 0.2 to 0.9 volts, the PCM will assume the TP sensor is at a closed throttle position (0%). If the reading is out of the auto zeroing range at closed throttle, look for a binding or damaged linkage.
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Normal TP voltage when the throttle plates are fully closed is near 0.50V. A sensor will display a higher voltage when the sensor is stuck or a circuit is malfunctioning
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A disconnected TP sensor should not display a voltage reading on the scan tool. An amount less than the specified value is normal.
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When the test light is connected to the ground circuit, the light should glow brightly if the ground circuit may be OK but could have a small amount of resistance in the circuit. The voltmeter is used to detect the small amounts of resistance using the voltage drop method. If the test light glows dimly or not at all, then resistance in the circuit is present and using the voltmeter is not necessary.
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In order for DTC P0121 to set with a short voltage in the TP signal circuit, the voltage must be minimal enough to not set a DTC P0123, and more than 0.5V.
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Disconnecting the EGR valve and sensors connected to the 5V reference circuits internally to the PCM determines if the 5V reference circuit is shorted or if one of the sensors is causing a short on the 5V reference circuit.
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Replacement PCMs must be reprogrammed and the crankshaft position system variation procedure must be performed. Refer to the latest Techline information for PCM reprogramming and also refer to the Crankshaft Position System Variation Learn for the Crankshaft Position System Variation Procedure.
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If no faults have been found at this point and no additional DTCs were set, refer to Diagnostic Aids for additional checks and information.
Step | Action | Value(s) | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Was the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check performed? | -- | |||
Does the TP angle value increase steadily when the accelerator pedal is depressed to greater than the specified value and decrease steadily when the pedal is released to less than the specified value? | 98% 1% | |||
Does the scan tool display a TP voltage below the specified value when the throttle is fully closed? | 0.80V | |||
4 |
Is the TP angle vs. RPM value greater than the specified value in the Conditions For Setting the DTC? | -- | ||
Disconnect the TP sensor electrical connector. Is the TP sensor voltage less then the specified value? | 0.5V | |||
Does the voltmeter read a voltage greater than the specified value? | 0.5V | |||
Check the TP signal circuit for a short to voltage and repair as necessary. Was a repair necessary? | -- | |||
8 | Check the TP sensor ground circuit for a poor connection or resistance at the TP sensor connector and repair as necessary. Was a repair necessary? | -- | ||
9 | With a DMM connected to ground, probe the 5V reference circuit at the TP sensor connector. Does the DMM display a voltage near the specified value? | 5V | ||
Does the DMM display a voltage near the specified value? | 5V | |||
11 |
Is the action complete? | 5V | -- | |
12 |
Important: The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) uses a single 5.0 volt power supply to supply power to all the engine control components. If one component shorts its 5.0 volt reference circuit to ground or battery voltage, the other 5.0 volt reference circuits will also have a low or high voltage. Check for a short to voltage in the 5V reference circuit and repair if necessary. Was a repair necessary? | -- | ||
13 | Replace the TP sensor. Refer to Throttle Position Sensor Replacement . Is the action complete? | -- | -- | |
14 | Check the PCM electrical connectors for a poor connection or resistance and repair as necessary. Was a repair necessary? | -- | ||
Replace the PCM. Refer to Powertrain Control Module Replacement . Is the action complete? | -- | -- | ||
16 |
Does the scan tool indicate that this diagnostic ran and passed? | -- | ||
Check if any additional DTCs are set. Are any DTCs displayed that have not been diagnosed? | -- | Go to the Applicable DTC table | System OK, go to Diagnostic Aids |
