I was told to check it by pulling the wire harness and checking it with a volt meter. Got 5 volts. How does this check the sensor itself.

 

With the sensor plugged in, one wire should have the 5 volts. another wire should be a ground, I believe the middle wire is the signal wire, and that is the one ya wanna have a look at. With the throttle closed, it should be right in the neighborhood of one volt. As you open the throttle, voltage should increase steadily, no jumping around, up to greater than 3.5 volts at WOT.

If your voltages are out of range, or, the voltage jumps around, replace the sensor.

 

The Haynes and the free downloadable service manual in the FAQ section also has the test procedure. Not that HeyYou didn't do a great job as usual , just figured I would point that out.

 

I have a hayes manual. I don't think it explains how to check it. Anyhow It's getting a little over 3 volts at wop. thank you very much.

 

Probe the center and right most wire with a voltmeter set to read to .01 volts. Turn the key on, but don't fire up the engine. Starting voltage should be anywhere from .30-.70 volts. WOT should be around 4.5v, but what you are looking for is a gradual step up in voltage from idle to WOT, without big skips in voltages.

 

I might have had a higher reading than that on start up. I think the increase in voltage was gradual though. Do you recommend I just puncture the wires insulation?

 

Yep.

If your idle voltage is over .75v, first check for obstructions to the throttle plates and linkage, them replace the sensor if you dont find any as the sensor is too far out of spec.

 

For a similar bit of troubleshooting, I've used a needle to puncture into the wire, and then I'd hook my multimeter to the needles.

-JT

 

thanks

 

Not to make a big deal out of it, and just for future reference for someone that does a search here on DF about the same topic. The test procedure for the TPS , IS in the Haynes manual. Along with test procedures for just about all the rest of the sensors. All they will have to do , is actually look.