TEST 2: Making Sure The TPS Is Getting 5 Volts
If you've reached this point, then the TPS did not pass TEST 1 (the TPS signal voltage did not increase/decrease as you opened/closed the throttle plate).
In this test section, we're gonna' make sure that the TPS is getting 5 Volts from the fuel injection computer.
The wire that feeds these 5 Volts to the TPS is the one labeled with the number 3 in the photo above.
On the 1990-1993 2.2L Accord, this wire is the yellow with white stripe (YEL/WHT) wire of the connector.
On the 1994-1997 2.2L Accord and 1995-1997 2.2L Odyssey, this wire is the yellow with blue stripe (YEL/BLU) wire of the connector.
IMPORTANT: The fuel injection computer on your 2.2L Honda Accord (Odyssey) is the component that provides Ground to the throttle position sensor. Be careful to not short-circuit the Ground wire to battery voltage or you will fry the fuel injection computer. The multimeter voltage test indicated below is a safe way to test this Ground circuit.
Let's get started:
- 1
Disconnect the TPS from its electrical connector.
- 2
Place your multimeter in Volts DC mode.
- 3
Connect the black multimeter test lead to the battery negative (-) terminal.
- 4
Turn the key ON but don't crank or start the engine.
- 5
Connect the red multimeter test lead to the wire labeled with the number 3.
On the 1990-1993 vehicles, this is a YEL/WHT wire.
On the 1994-1997 vehicles, this is a YEL/BLU wire. - 6
The multimeter should register 4.5 to 5 Volts DC.
Let's interpret your test result:
CASE 1: 4.5 to 5 Volts DC are present. This is the correct and expected test result.
Now that you've confirmed that the TPS is getting 5 Volts from the fuel injection computer, the next step is to make sure it's getting Ground. Go to: TEST 3: Making Sure The TPS Is Getting Ground.
CASE 2: 4.5 to 5 Volts ARE NOT present. Without these 5 Volts, the throttle position sensor will not produce a throttle angle voltage signal.
The most likely cause of these missing 5 Volts is an open-circuit problem in the wire between the TPS connector and the PCM connector.
Although it's beyond the scope of this tutorial to diagnose this problem, you've eliminated the TPS itself as the cause of the problem.
TEST 3: Making Sure The TPS Is Getting Ground
For our last test, we're gonna' make sure that the TPS is getting Ground from the fuel injection computer.
The wire that feeds these 5 Volts to the TPS is the one labeled with the number 1 in the photo above.
On the 1990-1993 2.2L Accord, this wire is the green with white stripe (GRN/WHT) wire of the connector.
On the 1994-1997 2.2L Accord and 1995-1997 2.2L Odyssey, this wire is the green with black stripe (GRN/BLK) wire of the connector.
IMPORTANT: The fuel injection computer on your 2.2L Honda Accord (Odyssey) is the component that provides Ground to the throttle position sensor. Be careful to not short-circuit the Ground wire to battery voltage or you will fry the fuel injection computer. The multimeter voltage test indicated below is a safe way to test this Ground circuit.
Let's get started:
- 1
Disconnect the TPS from its electrical connector.
- 2
Place your multimeter in Volts DC mode.
- 3
Connect the red multimeter test lead to the battery positive (+) terminal.
- 4
Turn the key ON but don't crank or start the engine.
- 5
Connect the black multimeter test lead to the wire labeled with the number 3.
On the 1990-1993 vehicles, this is a GRN/WHT wire.
On the 1994-1997 vehicles, this is a GRN/BLK wire. - 6
The multimeter should register 10 to 12 Volts DC.
Let's interpret your test result:
CASE 1: The multimeter registered 10 to 12 Volts DC. This is the correct and expected test result.
You can conclude that the throttle position sensor is bad and needs to be replaced if you have:
- Confirmed that the TPS signal voltage does not increase/decrease as you open/close the throttle plate (TEST 1).
- Confirmed that the TPS is getting 5 Volts DC from the fuel injection computer (TEST 2).
- Confirmed that the TPS is getting Ground from the fuel injection computer (this test section).
CASE 2: The multimeter DID NOT register 10 to 12 Volts DC. Without Ground the throttle position sensor will not produce a throttle angle voltage signal.
The most likely cause of this missing Ground is an open-circuit problem in the wire between the TPS connector and the PCM connector.
Although it's beyond the scope of this tutorial to diagnose this problem, you've eliminated the TPS itself as the cause of the problem.
More 2.2L Honda Accord And Odyssey Tutorials
You can find a complete list of 2.2L Honda Accord and Odyssey tutorials in this index:
Here's a small sample of the tutorials you'll find in the index:
- How To Test The MAP Sensor (1994-1997 2.2L Accord, Odyssey, Prelude).
- How To Test The Head Gasket (1992-1997 2.2L Accord, Odyssey, Prelude).
- How To Test The Engine Compression (1992-1997 2.2L Accord, Odyssey, Prelude).
- How Often Should I Replace The Spark Plugs? (2.2L Honda Accord).
If this info saved the day, buy me a beer!
