My 2002 Tundra had the "engine" light come on. I took it to Auto Zone and had them "hook it up" to a scanner. They told me it was the throttle position sensor. I'm not a mechanic and have no idea where this part is. Can anyone point me in the right direction? I have an 8 cylinder 4.7 liter engine. Oh and this part at Auto Zone runs me between 200-250 bucks. Is it made out of gold or what? Thanks for any help offered.
No, but there are some complex bits inside. DO NOT run out and buy something just because the scanner said to - it only says what SYSTEM is not working right, it can't say exactly why.
Although AutoZone would love you to 'shotgun' parts at the car until you find the right one, they make much more money that way.
You can usually clean the moving parts inside the throttle body in the airstream with carburetor cleaner and de-gunk them, and cure the trouble. You can clean inside the throttle position sensor on some designs too. But I'll let one of the mechanics here describe exactly how, because I don't have the book for your truck, and you can screw them up doing it wrong.
The mass airflow sensor measures how much air the engine is using, and the throttle position sensor is a fancy variable resistor on the side of the throttle body that signals how far you are pushing the gas pedal, so the computer does the math and adds the right amount of gasoline.
$62 for an ACDelco throttle position sensor for the Tundra at rockauto.com
Do clean your throttle body with throttle body cleaner and a soft, lint-free rag wrapped around your finger. This is under the black cover on top of your engine. It is the part with the circular flap that regulates the amount of air your engine gets. Do not allow any dirt nor bits of rag to get into the throttle body. The throttle position sensor is attached to this throttle body. First, check that the connector cable to the TPS is attached tightly.
Thanks Bruce and Ken..I'm checking this out myself. Karin, this is not rocket science and even though I am not a mechanic I am not totally ignorant to mechanical stuff. I am mechanically inclined and will "attempt" to fix it myself with a little guidance. Last I checked this was a support/help forum, correct?
My apologies. I misplaced the paper they gave me. I just remember it saying it was the sensor but not the code #. If I find it later, I will post it. Thanks again for your attention.
Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor Circuit Malfunction Trouble Area: Open or short in accelerator pedal position sensor circuit Accelerator pedal position sensor ECM
Diagnosing and repairing the problem requires specific service manual info onthe diagnostics and circuitry of the Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor, an OBDII scanner, and voltage meter or a Toyota Hand Held Scan Tool. This may be a repair best left to the experts.
$127 bucks for a Throttle body cleaning, air filter, and a state inspection. Not bad but there's something that makes me question a moral issue.
Service advisor comes back to tell me an o2 sensor needed to be replaced and that the sensor is stripped out that it needed a new manifold. This is the 2nd time in history that it has happened. The last time it was the right side.. this time it was the left side. They installed an oxygen sensor kit, manifold Sub-assy, gasket, exhaust mani, gasket,exhaust pipe, nuts and locks.. All totalling over $1,300 bucks. Now, I didn't pay a penny for all this, but it makes me wonder if they're sticking it to the warranty companies just like doctors stick it to the insurance companies which ultimately is a small contributing factor to higher insurance rates. Sure, I can just shrug my shoulders and say.. "so what". Can this more common than we know?
P.S. The last time it was the exact same thing of them having to replace the manifold and o2 sensor.
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