How To Test The Throttle Position Sensor (1992-1996 2.2L Toyota Camry)

TEST 2: Making Sure The TPS Is Getting 5 Volts

If in TEST 1, your 2.2L Toyota Camry did not pass the test, you need to make sure it's getting both power and Ground (before condemning it as bad).

In this test section, we're gonna make sure the red (RED) wire, of the TP sensor's connector is supplying 5 Volts.

Once we've confirmed that the TP sensor is getting power, we'll move on to TEST 3 and make sure the sensor is getting Ground.

Let's begin:

1. 1

   Place your multimeter in Volts DC mode.

2. 2

   Disconnect the TPS from its connector.

3. 3

   Turn the key to the ON position, but don't crank or start the engine.

4. 4

   Connect the black multimeter test lead to the battery negative (-) post.

5. 5

   Probe the female terminal that corresponds to the red wire of the TPS connector.

6. 6

   Your multimeter should read 4.5 to 5 Volts DC.

Let's interpret your test results:

CASE 1: 4.5 to 5 Volts are present. This is the correct and expected test result.

Your next and last step is to make sure the TPS is getting Ground. Go to: TEST 3: Making Sure The TPS Is Getting Ground.

CASE 2: 4.5 to 5 Volts are not present. Take a look at your test connections and make sure that you're testing the correct terminal.

If power is not present, then you can conclude that there's an open-circuit problem in the wire between the TP sensor harness connector and the PCM's harness connector. In the extreme of cases, the PCM has an internal problem (although this is very rare).

Although testing this issue is beyond the scope of this tutorial, you have now eliminated the throttle position sensor (TPS) on your 2.2L Toyota Camry as being the cause of the problem and/or the TP sensor diagnostic trouble code (DTC) lighting up the check engine light (CEL).

TEST 3: Making Sure The TPS Is Getting Ground

So far, you have confirmed:

• The TPS is not creating a voltage signal that increases/decreases (TEST 1).
• The TPS is getting 4.5 to 5 Volts DC (TEST 2.)

In this last test section, we're gonna make sure the brown (BRN) wire, of the TP sensor's connector is supplying Ground.

IMPORTANT: The PCM is the one that feeds this Ground to the throttle position sensor (TPS). Be careful and don't short/connect this wire to battery voltage or you'll fry the PCM.

This is what you need to do:

1. 1

   Place your multimeter in Volts DC mode.

2. 2

   Disconnect the TPS from its connector.

3. 3

   Turn the key to the ON position, but don't crank or start the engine.

4. 4

   Connect the red multimeter test lead to the battery positive (+) post.

5. 5

   Probe the female terminal that corresponds to the brown wire of the TPS connector.

6. 6

   Your multimeter should read 10 to 12 Volts DC if Ground is present in the BRN wire.

Let's take a look at what your test results mean:

CASE 1: Ground is present. This is the correct and expected test result.

You can conclude that the TPS is bad only if all tests have confirmed that:

1. The TP sensor IS NOT producing a varying voltage signal when manually opening/closing the throttle plate (TEST 1).
2. The TP sensor is receiving 4.5 to 5 Volts DC (TEST 2).
3. The TP sensor is getting Ground (this test section).

You'll need to adjust the TPS assembly if you replace it. The following heading will help you with this procedure: Adjusting The Throttle Position Sensor Assembly (this heading is found in the tutorial: TPS Idle Switch Multimeter Test (1992-1996 2.2L Camry)).

CASE 2: Ground is not present. Take a look at your test connections and make sure that you're testing the correct terminal.

If Ground is still missing, then you can conclude that there's an open-circuit in the wire between the TP sensor harness connector and the PCM's harness connector. In the extreme of cases, the PCM has an internal problem (although this is very rare).

Although testing this issue is beyond the scope of this tutorial, you have now eliminated the throttle position sensor (TPS) on your 2.2L Toyota Camry as being the cause of the problem and/or the TP sensor diagnostic trouble code (DTC) lighting up the check engine light (CEL).

More 2.2L Toyota Camry Tutorials

You can find a complete list of 2.2L Toyota Camry tutorials and wiring diagrams in this index:

• 2.2L Toyota Camry And Celica Index of Articles.

Here's a sample of the tutorials you'll find there:

• How To Test Engine Compression (1990-2001 2.2L Toyota Camry, Celica).
• How To Test The TPS With A Multimeter (1997-2001 2.2L Toyota Camry).
• How To Test For A Blown Head Gasket (1990-2001 2.2L Toyota Camry, Celica).
• How To Test The MAP Sensor (1997-2001 2.2L Toyota Camry).