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How does the throttle valve position sensor work?

Model: (Various brands) Various
Part: Throttle body

Video tutorial

In this video we see that the sensor tells the ECU when the driver has pressed the accelerator, then it measures the angle of opening of the throttle valve, and converts this measurement into an electrical signal and sends it to the engine control unit, which uses this fundamental data to regulate the amount of fuel to inject, the ignition timing, and the power delivery of the engine.

The video distinguishes two technologies.

The older one uses physical contacts that open and close, and detects fixed positions, for example the closed throttle (idle) and the fully open throttle (full load). The more modern type (called linear) uses a slider that slides on a resistor, so it detects all positions of the throttle, continuously and accurately.

A simplified electrical schematic of a linear type is then shown, which shows us the function of the device, which is a translator, because it transforms a mechanical movement (the rotation of the throttle) into an electrical signal that the car's computer can understand to manage the engine better.


Posted on 10 September 2025 by ScegliAuto


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