The throttle position sensor (TPS) on your 1997-2003 3.9L V6 Ram van, is probably one of the easiest sensors to test. The best part is that you don't need no fancy scan tool to do it!
In this tutorial, I'm gonna walk you through the entire testing process, step-by-step. It's actually pretty straightforward, and with just three simple tests, you'll quickly figure out if your TPS is working properly or if it's fried.
Contents of this tutorial:
APPLIES TO: This tutorial applies to the following vehicles:
- 3.9L V6 Dodge Ram B1500 Van: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003.
- 3.9L V6 Dodge Ram B2500 Van: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003.
Symptoms Of A Bad Throttle Position Sensor
When your TP sensor goes bad, you'll see one or more of the following issues:
- Diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs): You'll see one of these codes triggering the check engine light (CEL):
- P0121: TPS Voltage Does Not Agree With MAP.
- P0122: TPS Voltage Is Too Low.
- P0123: TPS Voltage Is Too High.
- Engine won't start: No matter how long you crank the engine, it doesn't start.
- Hard starting: You need to crank the engine several times before it finally starts.
- Engine hesitation: This is a little pause or stumble that happens when you press the gas pedal, either from a stop or while accelerating at cruising speed.
- Lack of power: When you press the gas pedal, the engine has no power (especially from a stop or during acceleration at cruising speed).
- Poor gas mileage: The fuel injection computer switches into "limp-in" mode to protect your engine. This means it adds more fuel than usual and drastically reduces engine power. Your gas mileage takes a big hit.
How The Throttle Position Sensor Works
As you're already aware, the accelerator pedal actuates the throttle plate via a mechanical cable (known as the accelerator cable).
The throttle plate is simply a type of butterfly valve that whose sole job is to regulate airflow into the engine.
Here's how it works:
- Pressing the accelerator: When you step on the accelerator pedal, the throttle plate opens. This allows more air to enter the engine.
- Releasing the accelerator: When you release the accelerator pedal, the throttle plate automatically closes, reducing airflow.
The fuel injection computer monitors the throttle plate angle in real time through the throttle position sensor (TPS), which tracks the movement of the throttle plate as you step on or off the accelerator pedal.
The TPS produces a DC voltage signal that corresponds to how far the throttle plate is open:
- Closed throttle: The TPS sends a low voltage, typically between 0.3 and 0.9 Volts DC.
- Throttle opening: As the plate opens, the voltage steadily increases.
- Wide Open Throttle (WOT): The TPS usually outputs around 4.5 Volts DC.
- Throttle closing: The voltage drops back down to its closed-throttle value.
Where To Buy The TPS And Save
The following links will help you to comparison shop for the TPS for your 3.9L V6 Dodge Ram van. I think they'll save you a few bucks:
If you're unsure if this TPS is compatible with your specific 3.9L V6 Dodge Ram van, no worries. Once you visit the site, they'll check and ensure it's the right one by asking for more details about your vehicle. If it doesn't fit, they'll help find the correct one.
TEST 1: Testing The TPS Voltage Signal
The first thing that we're gonna do is check the TPS signal voltage as we open and close the the throttle plate.
To read the TPS signal, we'll tap into the middle wire of the 3-wire connector. This wire is the orange with dark blue stripe (ORG/DK BLU) wire.
Simply put, if your TPS isn't working, you won't see a change in the voltage as you open or close the throttle.
NOTE: You'll need a multimeter to be able to test the throttle position sensor. If you don't have one, this is the one I use and recommend: Tekpower TP8268 AC/DC Auto/Manual Range Digital Multimeter (at: amazon.com).
IMPORTANT: To read the TPS voltage signal, the sensor must remain plugged into its 3-wire connector. You'll need to back-probe the connector or use a wire-piercing probe to tap into the signal wire while the sensor is still connected. You can find an example of this tool and where to buy it here: Wire Piercing Probe.
Here's what you need to do:
- 1
Connect the black multimeter lead to the negative battery terminal.
- 2
Set your multimeter to DC Volts mode.
- 3
Turn the key to the ON position but don't start the engine.
- 4
Connect the red multimeter lead to the orange with dark blue stripe (ORG/DK BLU) wire using the right tool.
The ORG/DK BLU wire is the middle wire of the TP sensor's 3-wire connector.
NOTE: The TP sensor must remain connected to its electrical connector. - 5
You should now see a voltage reading between 0.3 and 0.9 Volts DC with the throttle plate closed.
If you don't see that, don't sweat it —move on to the next step. - 6
Slowly open the throttle by hand.
NOTE: Rotate the throttle plate from the engine compartment, and not by using the accelerator pedal. - 7
As you open the throttle, the voltage reading should increase.
- 8
When the throttle plate is fully open, your multimeter should display a voltage reading between 3.5 and 4.5 Volts DC.
- 9
Now, slowly close the throttle plate.
- 10
The voltage should drop back down to what it was when the throttle was closed.
- 11
Gently but firmly, tap the throttle position sensor with a screwdriver handle while opening and closing the throttle.
If the TPS is working, tapping it shouldn't change the voltage output. But if it's faulty, tapping will make the voltage signal glitch out.
OK, let's break what the results mean:
CASE 1: The TPS signal voltage changed as indicated. That's exactly what we're looking for! It also confirms the TP sensor is functioning correctly.
It also tells us the TPS is getting the power and Ground it needs from the fuel injection computer. Essentially, when it comes to the TP sensor itself and its circuits, everything is functioning as it should.
CASE 2: The TPS signal voltage stayed stuck on the same number. This generally means the sensor itself is faulty.
To confirm this, we need to check if that power and Ground are supplied to the TP sensor. Go to: TEST 2: Making Sure The TPS Is Receiving 5 Volts.
CASE 3: Your multimeter showed no voltage during the test. This usually indicates one of two things, the TP sensor is bad or it's not getting power or Ground.
Our next step is to check it's getting power. Go to: TEST 2: Making Sure The TPS Is Receiving 5 Volts.