How To Test The TPS (1997-2001 3.0L V6 Toyota Camry)

TEST 2: Making Sure The TPS Has 5 Volts

If you've reached this point, you've confirmed that the throttle position sensor voltage signal does not increase or decrease as you open and close the throttle plate (TEST 1).

In this section, we're going to check if the yellow (YEL) wire is supplying the TPS with power (5 Volts DC). In the photo above, I've labeled the YEL wire with the number 3.

If the 5 Volts are present in the YEL wire, we'll proceed to the final test (TEST 3).

Here are the test steps:

1. 1

   Place your multimeter in Volts DC mode.

2. 2

   Disconnect the TPS from its electrical connector.

3. 3

   Turn the key ON but don't start the engine.

4. 4

   Probe the female terminal that connects to the YEL wire with the red multimeter test lead.

5. 5

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

6. 6

   Your multimeter should read 4.5 to 5 Volts DC.

Let's examine your test results:

CASE 1: The multimeter registered 4.5 to 5 Volts. This is the correct test result and confirms that the throttle position sensor (TPS) is getting power from your Toyota Camry's fuel injection computer.

The next and last test, is to make sure that the throttle position sensor is getting Ground (from the fuel injection computer too). For this test, go to: TEST 3: Making Sure The TPS Has Ground.

CASE 2: Your multimeter DID NOT register 4.5 to 5 Volts. Double check all of your connections and repeat the test.

If the multimeter still doesn't register 4.5 to 5 Volts, this indicates that the TPS is not receiving power, meaning it's not the source of the problem. Without power, the TPS cannot produce a throttle angle voltage signal.

Although troubleshooting the missing 5 Volts goes beyond the scope of this tutorial, your next step would be to identify and resolve the issue causing the lack of power.

TEST 3: Making Sure The TPS Has Ground

So far, your test results have confirmed the following:

• The throttle position sensor is not producing a voltage signal that increases or decreases as you open and close the throttle plate (TEST 1).
• The throttle position sensor is receiving 5 Volts DC on the yellow (YEL) wire (TEST 2).

In this final test, we're going to check if the brown (BRN) wire of the TPS 3-wire connector is providing the sensor with Ground. In the photo above, I've labeled the BRN wire with the number 2.

This Ground is only present when the key is in the "ON" or "RUN" position and is supplied internally by the PCM (not a chassis Ground).

IMPORTANT: Be very careful not to accidentally or intentionally connect the Ground wire to battery voltage—this could damage the fuel injection computer on your 3.0L Toyota Camry. The multimeter voltage test provided in the instructions is a safe and reliable way to check for Ground without risking any damage.

Let's get started:

1. 1

   Place your multimeter in Volts DC mode.

2. 2

   Disconnect the TPS from its electrical connector.

3. 3

   Turn the key on but don't start the engine.

4. 4

   Probe the female terminal that connects to the BRN wire with the black multimeter test lead.

5. 5

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

6. 6

   Your multimeter should read 10 to 12 Volts DC.

Let's interpret your test results:

CASE 1: The multimeter showed 10 to 12 Volts. This is the expected result and confirms that the throttle position sensor (TPS) on your 3.0L Toyota Camry is receiving Ground.

You can confidently determine that the TPS is faulty and needs replacement if the following have been verified:

• The TPS does not produce a voltage signal that changes as you open and close the throttle plate (TEST 1).
• The TPS is receiving 5 Volts DC on the yellow wire (TEST 2).
• The TPS is being supplied with Ground via the brown wire (this test).

CASE 2: Multimeter DID NOT show 10 to 12 Volts. First confirm that you're testing the correct wire and repeat the test. If the voltage is still missing, it means the TPS is not getting Ground.

Without Ground, the TPS cannot function, and the fuel injection computer will generate a TPS diagnostic trouble code (DTC), causing the check engine light (CEL) to turn on.

Diagnosing why Ground is missing goes beyond the scope of this tutorial, but at this point, you can rule out the TPS itself as the cause of the issue or the reason behind the DTC and check engine light.

More 3.0L Toyota Camry Tutorials

You can find a complete list of 3.0L Toyota Camry tutorials in this index:

• 3.0L Toyota Camry Index of Articles.

Here's a sample of the tutorials you'll find there:

• How To Test Engine Compression (1992-2006 3.0L V6 Toyota Camry).
• How To Test For A Blown Head Gasket (1992-2006 3.0L V6 Toyota Camry).
• How To Test The MAF Sensor (1997-2001 3.0L V6 Toyota Camry).
• How To Test The Alternator (1997-2001 3.0L V6 Toyota Camry).