Measuring a throttle valve position sensor, single potentiometer

Sensor information

Type: Single potentiometer
Power supply: 5 V and ground from ECU
Signal type: Amplitude varying
Signal level: 0.6 V to 4.5 V

Workings of the throttle valve position sensor

The throttle valve position sensor contains a potentiometer or variable resistor that is used to provide the throttle valve position to the ECU. The sensor is constructed such that it can be mounted on the throttle valve body with the throttle shaft sticking into the sensor. This allows the slider of the potentiometer to move along with the throttle. Some throttle position sensors are equipped with two potentiometers to increase reliability.

In this measurement example a throttle valve position sensor containing just one potentiometer is measured. Its power is supplied by the ECU. The potentiometer contains a carbon track which is connected to the power supply at one end and to the ground at the other. The slider moving over the carbon track picks up the sensor voltage from which the ECU can determine the throttle valve position.

Connecting the lab scope

Correct functioning of the throttle valve position sensor can be checked by measuring the following signal voltages, see figure 1:

Channel Probe Voltage Range
1 Red probe Sensor output signal 8 V
Black probe Ground at battery
2 Yellow probe Positive side of sensor power supply 8 V
Black probe Negative side of sensor power supply
Measuring diagram
Figure 1: Measuring diagram
Measuring a working throttle valve position sensor
Figure 2: Measuring a working throttle valve position sensor

The lab scope is connected to the throttle valve position sensor via a Measure lead TP-C1812B and Back Probe TP-BP85 and set to recorder mode. In recorder mode a streaming measurement is performed, continuously displaying the signals live on screen. Because the measured signals vary slowly, the Automotive Test Scope ATS5004D is set to a slow measuring speed.

Measuring

Figure 3 shows waveforms of a throttle valve position sensor with the key turned on and engine off. This signal can be downloaded and used to correctly set up the lab scope or as reference signal.

Download throttle valve position sensor measurement

Lab scope measurement of throttle valve position sensor

Figure 3: Lab scope measurement of throttle valve position sensor

Channel 1 (red) shows the signal from the throttle valve position sensor and channel 2 (yellow) the power supply of the sensor. The throttle is slowly opened and closed twice in this measurement during which the complete range of the sensor is used. The signal voltage range is 0.6 V to 4.5 V, corresponding to the throttle valve fully closed and wide open respectively. The power supply constantly remains 5 V.

Diagnosis

Signal values may differ on different types of engine control units and throttle valve position sensors. Consult ATIS for information on specific engine control units and throttle valve position sensors.

The following signal deviations can indicate a problem:

  • No signal:
    Cause: back probes have no connection (perform a connection test), no power supply, sensor defective
  • Signal voltage too high:
    Cause: poor or no ground on power supply, resistance in wiring to ECU, sensor defective
  • Noisy signal:
    Cause: wiring of signal or power supply damaged, poor connection in connector terminals, sensor defective
  • Signal shows an offset in relation of the example signal:
    Cause: scope is not set to DC coupling: DC, poor or no ground on power supply, resistance in wiring to ECU

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Disclaimer

This document is subject to changes without notification. All rights reserved.

The information in this application note is carefully checked and is considered to be reliable, however TiePie engineering assumes no responsibility for any inaccuracies.

Safety warning:

  • Before measuring, check that sources of dangerously high voltages are switched off or shielded from contact. Voltages considered to be dangerous are voltages over 30 V AC RMS, 42 V AC peak or 60 V DC.
  • Keep a clean working environment when doing measurements.
  • This measurement and procedures are a examples / measuring suggestions and are no prescribed protocols.
  • TiePie engineering can not anticipate the safety actions that need to be taken to protect persons and appliances. Before starting a measurement, check which safety measures need to be applied.