Throttle Position Sensor replacement & repair made easy

The throttle potentiometer is the recipient of the signal from the accelerator pedal where vehicles have an electronic pedal (and therefore not a cable operated one)

Depending on the manufacturer, a number of different processes will need to be done in order to access the throttle potentiometer, however the mechanic will need to do some of the following basic steps

• The mechanic will assess the situation by reading the diagnostic codes and checking live data
• Once confirmed that the throttle potentiometer is faulty, they will continue on to replacing it.
• Once replaced, the mechanic will start the engine and recheck the error codes

Unless you are a qualified mechanic with the required skills, training and equipment to do the job, we strongly recommend a throttle position sensor replacement is only carried out by a professional mechanic. ClickMechanic can help get you a vetted and local mechanic to carry out the work. Just enter your postcode and your car's registration number at the top of this page and select the work needed to get an instant fixed price up front.

Depending on the vehicle, you may observe one or more of the following symptoms;

• Erratic engine idle.
• Hesitation under acceleration.
• Poor engine performance.
• Illuminated engine management light (EML)

The time a throttle position sensor replacement will take will depend on a number of factors, like your vehicle's make and model, year, as well as other factors. Select your car at the top of this page for information on job time and cost for your vehicle through ClickMechanic.

Although the units are getting more reliable, there is still a chance that you will need to replace a throttle position sensor at least once in a vehicle's lifetime. The basic fact is that if your throttle potentiometer has failed, it needs to be replaced before the engine will run correctly.

The cost of replacing a throttle potentiometer depends on your car and what parts your car's manufacturer recommends using for the replacement. Find out what you could save by having the throttle potentiometer replaced by ClickMechanic by selecting your car at the top of this page!

Driving the vehicle with a bad throttle position sensor will result in poor engine performance and the car may stall. If you suspect there is any issue with your vehicle's throttle position sensor or there are concerns about its condition, book an inspection with a professional mechanic as soon as possible so they can check and advise on next steps.

Althought a throttle position sensor (TPS) in itself is not checked during an MOT, a faulty TPS can cause the engine to stall or not start at all which can result in an MOT failure.

If the throttle position sensor is bad, the engine may start to run at very high RPM because the throttle is stuck open. The engine could eventually overheat and seize up. This could also lead to dangerous situations on the road.

It is possible to drive without a properly working TPS sensor, but it is not advisable. The TPS sensor is responsible for monitoring the position of the throttle pedal and relaying that information to the engine control unit. Without this information, the engine may run erratically or may not start at all.

Throttle position sensors are designed to last up to the life of the vehicle, but it is not uncommon to get it replaced at around 100,000 miles.

Yes, a TPS will need to programmed and calibrated to ensure that it is accurately measuring the position of the throttle. If the sensor is not programmed, it may not be able to correctly interpret the throttle's position, which could lead to inaccurate readings.

Yes, a throttle position sensor can be repaired and some issues can be easily fixed by reprogramming, however, in many cases, it is easier and most cost-effective to get the whole sensor replaced.