the throttle position sensor [tps] on a honda throttle body is usually very reliable. but on high mileage vehicles, they can fail, and the honda recommended repair is replacing the whole throttle body - very expensive. the reason for this is presumably calibration, which is very important - it's installed with shear-head screws to prevent that being messed up. however, if calibration can be preserved, there's no reason not to change the tps if you can get one.
here is how to do it:
- go to a junk yard. you'll need to get a tps sensor connector and some spade terminals so you can make a tool like this:
- you'll also need to harvest a sensor. automatics have less wear on them than stick shifts, so choose the former if possible. [also, the
you can also buy sensors new from places like this:
- remove the sensor by removing the shear-head screws. i recommend using [carefully] a sharp chisel on one edge of the screws to start them rotating. after a few taps, these screws can be rotated and removed by hand. like this:
- before you start work on your own vehicle, this is MOST IMPORTANT!!! get calibration readings from the old sensor first! you do not need to remove the throttle body from the vehicle!
3.1 on a cold engine, using the calibration tool you made from #1, connect in line with the plug and the old sensor still in position.
3.2 turn the ignition on, but do not start the engine.3.3 for both idle position and wide open throttle [wot] position, note the voltage reading between the middle wire on the sensor and one of the other leads. read precisely and repeat for idle and wot three times to be sure.
3.4 turn off ignition and remove tool from sensor.4 remove old sensor the way you did at the junkyard. place the new sensor in position and lightly position new screws so that the sensor can be rotated for calibration.
new screws are M5x16x0.8. like osh screw part # 9214446.
- reconnect sensor calibration tool, and turn on ignition [no engine start].
- rotate sensor until the readings for idle and wot are identical to 3.3.
- snug up the screws.
- check one last time, turn off ignition, disconnect all tools, plug the sensor back in, close the lid and enjoy.
it is possible to disassemble your old sensor and "repair" it by spreading the wiper fingers so they contact different parts of the potentiometer track than those that have worn out, but i wouldn't bother unless you're stuck in the outback and can't find any other parts.