I can't get my TPS sensor voltage up

x182dan

New Member
Feb 27, 2006
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I need help I'm going crazy trying to figure this mess out. My tps voltage at key on engine off is .26volts not anywhere close to .98. I changed the tps sensor came back with the same reading as before so the sensor is good. I check WOT voltage that was only around 2.25volts. I stuck a screwdriver into the senser with the sensor off the car to see what the MAX volts I could get out of the tps sense was and it went to around 2.5volts. I checked my ground for the tps and that was fine. I checked the voltage at the computer and it was the same so the wire should be fine. I also changed the ECM with no change. Any ideas? My CEL goes on about 5mins after driving the car and among other codes one code comes up as TPS sensor voltage to low. Any ideas? I don't know what else to check
 
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are you checking the green wire? It should read around .90-.99 ish throttle closed Key on eng off.

Adjust it to .98-.99.

If you arnt getting close use a buddies known good part or buy a newbie.

sorry mines a 95 so its a different color wire but yes I know I am checking the correct wire. I tried two other "new" tps and both read exactly the same. It feels like my car falls on its face after 4grand and doesn't like to rev to redline with power. Is this normal for a stock 5.0? Sorry but I've never driven a stocker before
 
Check the brown/white wire for 5 volts. Use the black/white or grey/red wire for a ground.

TPS setting for 94-95 5.0 Mustangs
Setting the TPS: you'll need a good Digital Voltmeter (DVM) to do the job. Set the TPS voltage at .5- 1.1 range. Because of the variables involved with the tolerances of both computer and DVM, I would shoot for somewhere between .6 and 1.0 volts. Unless you have a Fluke or other high grade DVM, the second digit past the decimal point on cheap DVM’s is probably fantasy. Since the computer zeros out the TPS voltage every time it powers up, playing with the settings isn't an effective aid to performance or drivability. The main purpose of checking the TPS is to make sure it isn't way out of range and causing problems.

Note that the wire colors are different from the 86-93 model 5.0 Mustangs.
The Brown/White wire is the VREF 5 volts from the computer. You use the Greay/white wire (TPS signal) and the Black/White wire (TPS ground) to set the TPS. Use a pair of safety pins to probe the TPS connector from the rear of the connector. You may find it a little difficult to make a good connection, but keep trying. Put the safety pins in the Dark Green/Lt green wire and Black/White wire. Make sure the ignition switch is in the Run position but the engine isn't running.

Here’s a TPS tip I got from NoGo50

When you installed the sensor make sure you place it on the peg right and then tighten it down properly. Loosen the back screw a tiny bit so the sensor can pivot and loosen the front screw enough so you can move it just a little in very small increments. I wouldn’t try to adjust it using marks.

(copied from MustangMax, Glendale AZ)

A.) Always adjust the TPS and Idle with the engine at operating temp. Dive it around for a bit if you can and get it nice and warm.

B.) When you probe the leads of the TPS, do not use an engine ground, put the ground probe into the lead of the TPS. You should be connecting both meter probes to the TPS and not one to the TPS and the other to ground.

C.) Always reset the computer whenever you adjust the TPS or clean/change any sensors. I just pull the battery lead for 10 minutes.

D.) The key is to adjust the TPS voltage and reset the computer whenever the idle screw is changed.

The TPS is a variable resistor, must like the volume control knob on a cheap radio. We have all heard them crackle and pop when the volume is adjusted. The TPS sensor has the same problem: wear on the resistor element makes places that create electrical noise. This electrical noise confuses the computer, because it expects to see a smooth increase or decrease as the throttle is opened or closed.


Diagram courtesy of Tmoss & Stang&2birds
94-95_5.0_EEC_Wiring_Diagram.gif


See the following website for some help from Tmoss (diagram designer) & Stang&2Birds (website host) for help on 88-95 wiring http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/ Everyone should bookmark this site.

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trust me on this I am checking the correct wire. Theres only three wires to check I checked all three. My ground is a good ground I am sure of that. My third wire is correct 5v. My issue is the reference voltage wire or something else thats making my tps low