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HOMESERVICE MANUALSFORD1985THUNDERBIRD BASE, 2.3 W, AUTOMATICREPAIR AND DIAGNOSISENGINE PERFORMANCETESTING & DIAGNOSIS1.6L & 2.3L EFI/TURBO TESTSTESTINGTEST J - THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR (TPS)
1985 Ford Thunderbird Base, 2.3 W, Automatic

Test J - Throttle Position Sensor (TPS)

1985 Ford Thunderbird Base, 2.3 W, AutomaticSECTION Test J - Throttle Position Sensor (TPS)
  1. Code 23 Displayed. If Key ON/Engine OFF code 68 or Engine Running codes 31, 41, or 58 are displayed, service these codes first. If aforementioned codes have been serviced or are not displayed, go to next step.
  2. Check for mechanical problem of binding or sticking at throttle plate or linkage. Make sure linkage is set with throttle in closed position. If throttle plate or linkage is binding, repair problem and repeat QUICK TEST  . If no mechanical problem is found, go to next step.
  3. Turn key OFF and wait 10 seconds. Disconnect TPS from harness. Inspect for and repair any damaged wiring. Run Key ON/Engine OFF Self-Test. Ignore all codes except code 63 at this time. If code 63 is not displayed, go to step 5). If code 63 is displayed, go to next step.
  4. Turn key OFF and wait 10 seconds. Set DVOM to 20 volt scale and disconnect TPS from harness. Inspect for and repair any damaged wiring. Turn key ON, leaving engine OFF. Measure voltage at TPS connector between VREF and signal return. If voltage is less than 4 volts or greater than 6 volts, go to Circuit Test C, step 1). If voltage reading is between 4-6 volts, replace TPS and adjust properly. Repeat QUICK TEST  .
  5. Turn key OFF and wait 10 seconds. Disconnect TPS from harness. Set DVOM to 200,000 ohm scale. Disconnect ECA 60-pin connector.Inspect for and repair any damaged wiring. Install breakout box, leaving ECA disconnected. Measure resistance between test pin 47 and test pins 26 and 57. If either reading is less than 10,000 ohms, repair short in harness and repeat QUICK TEST  . If both readings are 10,000 ohms or higher, replace ECA and repeat QUICK TEST  .
  6. Code 63 Displayed. Turn key OFF and wait 10 seconds. Disconnect TPS from harness. Connect jumper wire between VREF and TPS signal at connector. Run Key ON/Engine OFF Self-Test. If NO codes are generated, remove jumper immediately and go to step 9) of this test. If either code 53 or 23 are displayed, replace TPS. Ignore all other codes during this step. Adjust TPS correctly and repeat QUICK TEST  . If neither code 53 or 23 are displayed, go to next step.
  7. Turn key OFF and wait 10 seconds. Disconnect TPS from harness. Inspect for and repair any damaged wiring. Set DVOM to 20 volt scale. Turn key ON, leaving engine OFF. Measure voltage between VREF and signal return at TPS connector. If reading is less than 4 volts or more than 6 volts, go to Circuit Test C, step 1). If reading is between 4-6 volts, go to next step.
  8. Turn key OFF and wait 10 seconds. Leave TPS disconnected. Set DVOM to 200 ohm scale and disconnect ECA. Inspect for and repair any damaged wiring. Install breakout box and connect ECA. Measure resistance between TPS signal at connector and test pin 47. If reading is 5 ohms or more, repair wiring and reconnect TPS. Remove breakout box and repeat QUICK TEST  . If reading is less than 5 ohms, go to next step.
  9. Turn key OFF and wait 10 seconds. Leave TPS disconnected. Disconnect ECA, inspecting and repairing wiring. Install breakout box and set DVOM to 200,000 ohm scale. Measure resistance at connector between TPS signal and ground and between TPS signal and test pin 46. If reading is less than 10,000 ohms, repair short and recheck resistance of circuit. If resistance is 10,000 ohms or more, replace ECA. Connect TPS, remove breakout box, and repeat QUICK TEST  .
    NOTE: Code 73 in next step indicates that TPS did not exceed 25% of its rotation during Engine Response Check.
  10. Code 73 Displayed. Turn key OFF. Install breakout box and set DVOM to 20 volt scale. Connect DVOM between test pins 46 and 47. Perform Engine Running Self-Test and check DVOM reading during WOT at Engine Response Check. If reading exceeds 3.5 volts, replace ECA and repeat QUICK TEST  . If reading does not exceed 3.5 volts, make sure that TPS is correctly installed and adjusted. If so, replace TPS and adjust properly. Repeat QUICK TEST  .
  11. Continuous Code 53 or 63 Displayed. In Continuous Monitor (Wiggle) mode, slowly open throttle to WOT and release. Lightly tap TPS and wiggle connector. If fault is indicated, go to next step. If no fault is indicated, go to step 13).
  12. Turn key OFF and wait 10 seconds. Disconnect 60-pin ECA connector. Inspect for and repair any damaged wiring. Install breakout box and reconnect ECA. Stay in continuous monitor (wiggle) mode. Connect DVOM between test pin 47 and test pin 46. Set DVOM to 20 volt scale. Turn key ON, leaving engine OFF. Repeat step 11). If fault occurs below 4.25 volts, inspect for and repair any damaged wiring. If wiring is good, replace TPS and repeat QUICK TEST  . If fault does not occur below 4.25 volts, TPS over-travel may have caused continuous code 53. TPS is good. Go to next step to check harness integrity.
  13. In Continuous Monitor (Wiggle) mode, bend and wiggle small sections of EEC-IV harness from sensor to firewall and from firewall to ECA. If fault is indicated, inspect for and repair any damaged wiring. Repeat QUICK TEST  . If no fault is indicated, go to next step.
  14. Turn key OFF and wait 10 seconds. Disconnect ECA 60-pin connector. Inspect for and repair any damaged wiring. Repeat QUICK TEST  if repair is made. If wiring is good, fault cannot be duplicated and continuous code 53 or 63 test is complete.
    NOTE: In the following diagram, the wire colors for the test pins are as follows:
    • Pin 26 = Orange
    • Pin 46 = Black
    • Pin 47 = Dark Green
Fig 1: Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) Ckt (See NOTE: above)
G2550
RENDER: 1.0x

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Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:

  • • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
  • • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
  • • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
  • • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
  • • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.