How To Test The Throttle Position Sensor (1992-1995 1.5L Honda Civic)

TEST 2: Verifying Throttle Position Sensor Has 5 Volts

If your 1.5L Honda Civic's TP sensor failed TEST 1, then the next step is to make sure it's getting power since without it, the sensor won't produce an increasing/decreasing voltage signal.

The yellow with white stripe (YEL/WHT) wire is the one that supplies 5 Volts.

To confirm that the YEL/WHT wire is delivering this voltage, we'll do a simple multimeter voltage test on the sensor's connector.

You can see this test step performed in this YouTube video here: How To Test The TPS (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 2.0L Honda CR-V)   (NOTE: Although this video applies to the 1997-2001 2.0L Honda CR-V, the test procedure itself is the same for the 1993-2005 1.6L Honda Civic).

OK, this is what you need to do:

1. 1

   Disconnect the TP sensor from its 3-wire connector.

2. 2

   Connect the black multimeter test lead to the battery negative (-) post.

3. 3

   Set the multimeter to Volts DC mode.

4. 4

   Gently probe the female terminal of the connector that corresponds to the yellow with white stripe wire with the red multimeter test lead.

5. 5

   The multimeter should register 4.5 to 5 Volts DC.

Let's take a look at what your test results mean:

CASE 1: The multimeter confirms you have power. Great, this is what we need to see.

The next step is to make sure the TP sensor is getting Ground. Go to: TEST 3: Verifying Throttle Position Sensor Has Ground.

CASE 2: The multimeter is not registering any voltage. This tells you that the TP sensor isn't getting Ground and without it, it's not gonna function.

The most likely cause of this missing voltage is an open-circuit problem in the 5V supply wire between the TPS connector and the fuel injection computer.

Your next step is to find out what's causing this missing voltage and restore it to the circuit.

TEST 3: Verifying Throttle Position Sensor Has Ground

So far, you've confirmed that:

• TEST 1: The TP sensor's voltage doesn't change when you open/close the throttle plate.
• TEST 2: It's getting 4.5 to 5 Volts DC.

In this last test section, we'll see if the green with white stripe (GRN/WHT) wire is delivering Ground to the TP sensor.

IMPORTANT: Your Honda Civic's fuel injection computer is the one that feeds Ground to the throttle position sensor (TPS). Be careful and don't short the Ground wire (circuit) to battery voltage or you'll fry the computer. The multimeter voltage test I'm outlining below is a safe way to check for Ground.

This is what we need to do:

1. 1

   Disconnect the TP sensor from its 3-wire connector.

2. 2

   Connect the red multimeter test lead to the battery positive (+) post.

3. 3

   Set the multimeter to Volts DC mode.

4. 4

   Gently probe the female terminal of the connector that corresponds to the green with white stripe (GRN/WHT) wire with the black multimeter test lead.

5. 5

   The multimeter should register 10 to 12 Volts DC if Ground is present.

Let's interpret your test result:

CASE 1: The multimeter registers 10 to 12 Volts. This confirms the sensor is getting Ground.

Now, you can confidently conclude that the TPS is bad only if:

• You have confirmed that the TPS voltage signal IS NOT increasing/decreasing while opening/closing the throttle plate (in TEST 1).
• You have confirmed that the TPS is getting power (5 Volts) and Ground.

CASE 2: The multimeter is not registering any voltage. This tells you that the TP sensor isn't getting Ground and without it, it's not gonna function.

The most likely cause of this missing Ground is an open-circuit problem in the Ground supply wire between the TPS connector and the fuel injection computer.

Your next step is to find out what's causing this lack of Ground and restore it to the circuit.

More 1.5L Honda Civic Tutorials

You can find a complete list of 1.5L Honda Civic tutorials in this index:

• 1.5L Honda Civic Index of Articles.

Here's a small sample of the tutorials you'll find in the index:

• How To Test The MAP Sensor (1992-1995 1.5L Honda Civic).
• How To Test The PGM-FI Main Relay (1992-1995 1.5L Honda Civic).
• How To Test Engine Compression (1992-1995 1.5L Honda Civic).
• How To Test The Fuel Pump In 2 Tests (1992-1995 1.5L Honda Civic).
• How To Test The Igniter, Ignition Coil Accord, Civic, CRV, and Odyssey (at easyautodiagnostics.com).