TPDZ - what is it? DPS adjustment. Throttle position sensor

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

Modern car consists of many components and assemblies. And even a malfunction of the smallest of them can lead to very serious consequences. One of these small components is the throttle position sensor (TPS). What is this part and how to determine its malfunction? You will learn the answers to all these and many other questions in the course of our today's article.

Element characteristic

The throttle valve is a structural component of the intake system of gasoline ICEs. Its main purpose is to regulate the amount of air entering the engine. In other words, this element controls the mixing of air with fuel in certain proportions. Installed TPS VAZ and many other domestic cars between the intake manifold and the air filter.

The design of the throttle sensor is a kind of air valve. When the element is in the open state, the pressure level in the car's intake system is equal to atmospheric, and when in the closed state,this value is reduced to a vacuum state.

The throttle position sensor includes a single-turn fixed and variable resistors. Their total resistance is about 8 kOhm. A small reference voltage is supplied from the controller to one of the extreme terminals of this element (while the second terminal is connected to ground). From here, through the resistor to the controller, there is a signal about the current position of the throttle valve at the moment. Often this is a pulse with a voltage of 0.7 to 4 volts, depending on the level of the element.

Varieties

There are two types of TPS in total. What are these elements? It can be a part with a mechanical or electrical drive. The first is often used on budget class cars. All its constituent elements are combined into a separate block, which includes such details as:

1. Case.
2. Throttle valve.
3. Sensor.
4. IAC (idle speed control).

The damper body is included in the car's cooling system. There are also pipes here that ensure the operation of the gasoline vapor recovery and crankcase ventilation systems.

The idle speed controller maintains the speed of the engine crankshaft with the damper closed during starting and warming up the engine or when additional equipment is operating. IAC consists of a stepper motor and a valve. These two parts regulate the air supply that enters the intake system bypassing the damper.

However, in recentFor several years, more and more car manufacturers have been equipping their vehicles with electrically operated dampers. Such elements have their own electronic control system, which ensures the optimal amount of torque at all speed ranges and loads of the machine. This not only increases power and dynamics, but also reduces fuel consumption and exhaust emissions.

Electric damper differences

How does this part differ from its mechanical counterparts? Its main differences are in the absence of a mechanical connection between the gas pedal and the DZ, as well as in the regulation of the twentieth by moving the damper itself.

But that's not all of her features. Since there is no rigid connection between the gas pedal and the throttle valve, the electronic system itself is able to influence the amount of torque of the internal combustion engine, even if the driver does not press the accelerator. All these changes occur due to the actions of the input sensors, the control unit and the actuator.

In addition to the TPS, in the electronic control system there is an accelerator pedal position sensor, as well as a brake and clutch position switch. Thus, the engine control unit responds to all signals from the sensors and converts these pulses into control actions for the damper module.

Module design features

This item includes mechanisms such as:

• Case.
• Throttle valve.
• Electric motor.
• Reducer.
• Throttle position sensor.
• Return spring mechanism.

Sometimes 2 TPSs are installed in a car at once. What does it give the car? In principle, this does not add any power, however, if one sensor fails, the second one can continue to work. Thus, the installation of two TPS is carried out to improve the reliability of the module. These elements can be both non-contact and sliding contact. Also in the design of the module there is an emergency position of the damper. It works thanks to the return spring mechanism. If a module fails, it is replaced as an assembly.

TPS: malfunctions

Like any other part, the throttle position sensor tends to fail. In this case, you need to know the main symptoms of its breakdown. So, what are the signs of a malfunction in the TPS?

First of all, you should pay attention to the engine idling. If its revolutions “float”, this may indicate that the sensor is not working properly. Also, a symptom of its malfunction can be a stop of the engine when the gas pedal is abruptly reset. The sensor malfunction is very noticeable when the car is accelerating. In this case, there may be dips when accelerating (it seems that the engine does not receive fuel at all). Sometimes when driving, the car may not respond to the gas pedal. In addition, turnoverengines can freeze at the level of 1.5-3 thousand and do not drop even when the gear is off at idle. That is, the signs of a malfunction of this element are directly related to the operation of the engine, and any incorrect operation of it may indicate a malfunction of the sensor or damper. If you notice at least one similar symptom, then you need to check the performance of the TPS. VAZ-2114 "Samara" and its successors are diagnosed almost the same. Therefore, the instructions below can be used on all cars of domestic (and even foreign) production.

How to check the TPS yourself?

It is quite possible to diagnose the throttle sensor without the help of specialists. All you need in terms of tools is a multimeter. So, turn on the ignition and look at the instrument panel. If the "Check Engine" light is not on, raise the hood and look for the damper sensor.

Now we pick up a multimeter and check the presence of a "minus". To do this, turn off the ignition and find the "ground" among the wires. This is easy to do. Then turn on the ignition again and find the power wire. This will ensure that the sensor is receiving power.

What to do next?

After that, we check the opening of contacts XX. They are located on the sensor connector at the top or bottom. We connect one of the wires on the multimeter to the contact, and the second we will move the damper. If everything is fine, then with the slightest movement, the voltage level on the device will change to the value on the battery. If on the scalethe arrow of the multimeter remained in place, you should check the serviceability of the variable resistor, which is located inside the TPS. What is this element and how to diagnose it? This resistor is part of the damper sensor, which changes its resistance depending on the level of the pedal position. And it is checked in the following way. To begin with, a multimeter is connected to the remaining wire, the ignition is turned on, and after that the damper moves very slowly. In this case, you need to carefully monitor the state of the arrow on the instrument scale. There should be no jumps here. If they are, the engine is most likely malfunctioning.

Proper car throttle setting

How does self-adjustment of TPS work? This operation does not require special skills and knowledge, so even a novice motorist can handle it. For adjustment, it is necessary to disconnect the corrugated pipe that conducts air. Next, this element is thoroughly washed with some strong solvent. It can be alcohol or gasoline. For convenience, it is recommended to clean the corrugated pipe with a piece of rag. But we process not only it with gasoline. Further, we perform similar manipulations with the intake manifold and the throttle itself. After you wash the last element, carefully inspect its external condition.

Correct Throttle Position Sensor Setting

If the damper has no mechanical damage, proceed to the adjustment procedure. For thisit is necessary to loosen its fixing screws, lift it up and release it sharply. Here we should hear a blow on the stop. Next, we adjust the tension of the screws until the “biting” of the part disappears. After that, we fix the screws with nuts and loosen the sensor bolts. Then we carefully turn its body and set its position so that the voltage changes only with the opening of the throttle. After that, you can fix the bolts back and start operating the car. As you can see, adjusting the throttle and its position sensor is not at all a difficult process, which almost every car owner can handle. At the same time, it is enough to spend no more than 10-15 minutes of free time on the entire repair.

Conclusion

So, we found out what a throttle valve, TPS is and what elements it consists of. Finally, it should be noted how much a new throttle position sensor costs. The price of this item varies from 200 to 800 rubles. It is sold both in stores and in automotive markets.