Jeep Throttle Position Sensor

TPS, also known as, throttle position sensor, is a system which is chiefly used in carburetor and fuel-injected engines. It is located at the butterfly spindle in the engine. In fact, the location of the TPS in every modern car today, is the same as the configuration of the jeep. The reason the sensor is situated in the internal combustion engine is so that it can supervise the position of the throttle in the jeep's engine.

So, when the vehicle accelerates, the butterfly valve opens up to allow the air to pass into the intake chamber. In all this action, there can be a major possibility for the throttle position sensor to face certain failures and suddenly stop working. Well, to know what can be the possible problems for such a failure, let's take a peek into the jeep TPS problems section below.

• If you are starting the jeep first time in a day, the engine would initially start off properly, give some gas off and die instantly at its idle position itself. Moreover, the engine light stays on flashing a 24 volts voltage indicating that there has to be some problem with the TPS.

• The most common sign is the voltage problem in the TPS. If there is a constant fluctuation in voltages such as if the numbers range from 12, 33, 24, 17 to 12 this is a clear sign that the TPS is malfunctioning. You might have to replace it or repair it immediately.

• Another most noted problem is to have a dead spot in the jeep. This problem occurs when the vehicle is accelerating or decelerating regardless of the specific pedal position of the RPM. This problem is also noted when the TPS and MAP is temporarily disconnected.

• With the 92s jeep model called Cherokee, people who own it they often have faced a problem with the engine transmission. The gears are easy to shift from one to two and two to three, but shifting gears to the top position, the system malfunctions.

• Sometimes people face a problem even after replacing a new TPS in their jeep, because the problem comes with adjusting the new system back into the old position. While others have faced a problem with the jeep starting off properly, gives off the gas, moves a little and finally the RPM falls down awfully with it shutting down the engine too!

Any TPS system installed in a modern vehicle is supposed to provide accurate data to the engine's computer system. But if there are any sort of maladjustment or malfunctions with the TPS unit, the vehicle will soon begin to display a variety of misdirecting symptoms, which sure is not a good sign for the endurance of your jeep!

So, how are you planning to rectify it? Planning to give it to a mechanic at a service station who would fox your jeep's TPS decently? Or are you planning to do-it-yourself? If the latter part suits your interest, probably it's best if you took a short look at the lucid instructions for replacing a jeep throttle position sensor below.

This method of TPS replacement in a jeep is the most simplest and intermediate level to carry out this project on your own. So read and perform it carefully.

Required Materials

• Replacement gasket
• Tool set (wrench, screwdrivers, full socket set)
• Plastic scraper
• Torque wrench

Instructions

• Shut down the jeep's engine (in case if its on) and let it cool off completely. Next open the hood of the jeep and disconnect the battery terminals from the ground.

• Now you will see the TPS unit in the system, slowly detach it from the electrical connectors by using a tool set to unscrew the fasteners. Remove them and place them aside. And also detach the TPS off the body.

• You will need to find the throttle shaft situated at the closing of the throttle body. Slide the shaft closing slowly into the socket on the sensor and make sure there is a play around for an easy rotation.
• Now grab the replacement gasket into your hand and tighten the sensor down to a slight rotation.

• Place the new piece into the old position and tighten all the screws properly. You will have to torque all the screws to 60'' pounds.
• In the final step, attach the electrical connectors back to the new TPS and also reconnect the ground battery terminal.

Now start your jeep's engine and check for its working condition. If the sensor is working just fine, you are lucky, the installation was successful! A car repair job should only be attempted if the owner of the car has sound knowledge about the car components or has an easy manual provided before him/her like this story.