How To Test The Throttle Position Sensor (2000-2007 4.7L Dodge)

The throttle position sensor (TPS) can be tested using a simple multimeter and in this tutorial, I'll show you how in a step-by-step way.

To test the TPS you don't need a scan tool (although having one is major plus).

NOTE: Although the basic testing principles of this tutorial apply to any Dodge TPS, the illustrations apply only to 2000-2007 4.7L Durango, 4.7L Dakota, and 4.7L Ram 1500 Pick Up. See the Applies To: box on the right column for more specifics.

You can find this tutorial in Spanish here: Cómo Probar El Sensor TPS (2000-2007 4.7L Dodge V8) (at: autotecnico-online.com).

Symptoms Of A Bad Throttle Position Sensor

The throttle position sensor's job is to tell the PCM how much the throttle plate opens/closes as you step on/off the accelerator.

The PCM then uses this info to calculate fuel injection, advance/retard ignition timing, etc. So when the TPS fails, your 4.7L Dodge engine is gonna' resent it.

Here are some of the symptoms your 4.7L Dodge will experience when the throttle position sensor fails:

1. A TPS diagnostic trouble code (DTC) stored in the PCM's memory:
   • P0121: Throttle Position (TP) Circuit Performance Problem.
   • P0122: Throttle Position (TP) Circuit Low Input.
   • P0123: Throttle Position (TP) Circuit High Input.
2. Your 4.7L Dodge fails the smog check (state mandated emissions test).
3. Bad gas mileage.
4. Hard start and/or extended cranking time (after shut off).
5. Black smoke coming out of the tailpipe.
6. Hesitation when accelerating your vehicle down the road.

As mentioned at the beginning of this tutorial, the TPS can be tested without a scan tool and in the next section we'll start with the very first test.

Where To Buy Your TP Sensor And Save

The following links will help you to comparison shop for the throttle position sensor:

Not sure if the above TP sensor fits your particular 4.7L equipped Dodge Durango (Dakota, Ram 1500)? Don't worry, once you get to the site, they'll make sure it fits by asking you the particulars of your vehicle. If it doesn't fit, they'll find you the right one.

TEST 1: Testing The Throttle Position Sensor Voltage Signal

The first test we're gonna' do is find out if the TPS is producing a throttle plate angle voltage signal with a multimeter connected to its middle wire.

In a nutshell, this is how the TPS works:

• The throttle plate angle voltage signal increases as the throttle plate opens. At wide-open-throttle (WOT), the TPS produces about 4.5 Volts DC.
• As the throttle plate starts to close from its WOT position, the voltage signal starts to decrease.

So, these increases/decreases are what our multimeter should report as we test the TPS.

NOTE: The throttle position sensor has to remain bolted to the throttle body and connected to its connector for this test to work (this is where a wire piercing probe comes in handy to get to the signal inside the wire. To see what one looks like, click here: Wire Piercing Probe Tool).

OK, let's start:

PART 1:

1. 1

   Place your multimeter in Volts DC mode and with the red multimeter test lead probe the middle wire of the sensor's connector. This is the wire that connects to TPS terminal #2 in the illustration above.

2. 2

   Ground the black multimeter test lead on the battery negative (-) terminal. Have your helper turn the key ON, but don't start the engine (this will power up the TP sensor).

3. 3

   Your multimeter should report a voltage between 0.2 to 0.9 Volts DC. If your multimeter doesn't, don't worry about it just yet, continue with the other steps.

PART 2:

1. 4

   Now, slowly open the throttle (by hand and from the engine compartment) while you observe the change in voltage numbers on your multimeter.
   
   For this test result to be accurate, you need to open the throttle by hand and not from inside the vehicle.

2. 5

   As the throttle opens, the voltage numbers will increase. This increase in voltage should be smooth and without any gaps or skips. Once the throttle is wide open, your multimeter should read somewhere between 3.5 to 4.5 Volts DC.

3. 6

   Now, slowly close the throttle. As the throttle is closing, you should see the voltage decrease smoothly and without any gaps or skips, to the exact same voltage you noticed in step 4.

PART 3:

1. 7

   OK, now you'll need someone to help you lightly tap on the throttle position sensor with the handle of a screw-driver (or something similar, and I want to emphasize the words 'lightly tap') as you slowly open and close the throttle and observe the multimeter.
   
   If the TPS is bad, the tapping will cause the voltage numbers to skip or go blank. If the TPS is OK, the tapping will have no effect on the voltage numbers.

2. 8

   Repeat step 7 several times to make sure of your multimeter test results.

Let's take a look at your test results:

CASE 1: The throttle angle voltage increased and decreased as you opened and closed the throttle plate. This confirms that the throttle position sensor is OK and not defective.

CASE 2: The throttle angle voltage DID NOT increase (and/or decrease) as you opened and closed the throttle plate. This tells you that the TPS is bad and causing the TPS trouble code lighting up the check engine light (CEL) on your 4.7L Dodge Durango (Dakota).

Before you run out and buy it, I'm gonna' suggest that you do two more tests. One is to check that the TPS is getting power. The other is to check that it's Ground. To check that the TPS is getting power, go to: TEST 2: Verifying Throttle Position Sensor Has Power.

CASE 3: The multimeter DID NOT register any voltage. This test result doesn't condemn the TP sensor as bad just yet.

Why? Because the TP sensor may be missing either power or Ground. So the next step is to check that the TP sensor is getting power, go to: TEST 2: Verifying Throttle Position Sensor Has Power.