How To Test a Dodge Neon TPS Sensor

How To Test a Dodge Neon TPS Sensor

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The throttle sensor in your Dodge is what your Neon computer uses to determine how far your throttle body is opened. The Neon TPS sensor is mounted to your throttle shaft, and it’s there to read the angle of your throttle blade. This unit is basically a potentiometer and it’s there to read how far the throttle has been opened.

When you push down on your gas pedal the throttle body opens, allowing more air to enter your 2.0 liter engine. To match the fuel delivery with the increase of incoming air, the Dodge engine computer needs this signal from your TPS sensor. When this sensor goes bad, one of the first signs of trouble is a check engine light.

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If the check engine light is on in your Dodge Neon, you’ll need a OBDII scan tool to get the trouble code. When the code comes back as a TPS related issue, you can use this DIY tutorial to correct and fix your Neon check engine light.

Today I’ll be showing you how to test a Neon TPS sensor in a 2002 2.0 liter Dodge. This engine replaces the 420A engine, and it’s also found in non turbo Mitsubishi Eclipses and Eagle Talons. Because the new 2.0 liter in the Dodge Neon faces the intake forward and the exhaust toward the firewall, working on the TPS sensor slightly easier. While it may be slightly easier, the TPS connector and wiring is closer to your radiator fans, and your Neon upper radiator hose can get in the way.

How do I know Dodge Neon TPS sensor is bad?

There’s quite a few issues that will come up when your throttle sensor fails. Here’s just some of the more common Dodge Neon problems that can arise.

  • Inconsistent throttle response
  • Bad gas mileage
  • Engine will not start
  • RPM or engine speed increases on its own
  • Check Engine Light ON

To test your Neon TPS sensor, we’ll be using a digital multimeter to check the wiring connector for the proper opwer and ground signals.

Testing the Neon TPS sensor for Power

When you are ready to begin testing your Neon throttle sensor, you’ve got to open your hood and find it. It’s mounted to the opposite side of your throttle pulley, and connected to the throttle shaft. You may need to slightly push your upper radiator hose out of the way to reach the connector.

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Once you’ve got the Neon TPS sensor disconnected, you can use the Neon wiring diagram below to begin the testing procedure. In order to make the testing procedure easier, our DIY tutorial will show you the TPS sensor side as well as the ENGINE harness side.

The pin you need to check is the wire that is labeled A on the engine side. Keep in mind that our Dodge Neon TPS sensor wiring diagram shows the sensor flipped. If you get confused you need to make sure that you are testing on the engine harness.

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Wire A should be a PURPLE wire with a WHITE stripe in it, and there should be 5 volts of power here. If you don’t have power here, make sure that your Neon ignition is turned to the “ON” position.

The next wire to check is the wire that’s coming to PIN C, which is a BLACK wire. Some Dodge Neons have a BLACK wire here with a BLUE stripe in it. Regardless of the color this pin is the ground signal.

If you have power and ground at these terminals, this means that your TPS sensor is getting power. The last wire you’ll be checking is the throttle position signal, which is the wire going to PIN B.

The signal pin is a ORANGE colored wire with a BLUE stripe in it. In order to test this wire however, you’ll need to reconnect the Neon TPS sensor. The best way to test the TPS signal wire is to trace back the ORANGE wire earlier in the wiring harness. Unwrap your TPS harness until you can get to a spot where testing the signal voltage is easy to do.

You should have the TPS harness unwrapped to the point where you can pierce the TPS signal with your multimeter lead. Push the red lead of your multimeter into the ORANGE wire, and now you are ready to test the signal. Now leave the engine off but make sure the ignition is at the “ON” position.

Measure the signal wire for voltage and with the throttle plate closed you should have anywhere between 0.4 to 1.0 volts of DC. Now have a friend push down on your gas pedal all the way, or you can manually open the throttle blade.

With your Dodge Neon throttle fully opened or at the Wide Open Throttle position, the signal should read between 3.2 to 4.9 Volts DC. If your Dodge Neon throttle position sensor does not respond with these voltage values, it’s a clear sign that your TPS sensor has failed. You will need a replacement Neon TPS sensor and to use your multimeter to calibrate it properly.

Have any questions about our Dodge Neon TPS Sensor guide? Leave us a comment below and let us know!

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