Throttle Position Sensor

[snowjoke]

Does anyone have any experience of a Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) failing?

I had the 60000 mile service done on my RAV4.2 last month by my local Toyota dealer. I drove it home and took it out a few days later on a short trip, floored the accelerator on a clear patch of road, and found the power cutting out. The engine warning light and traction control lights came on, and stayed on after I stopped, but went out a day or two later. I did a few short trips where it was fine, but on a long trip a few days ago after about 200 miles on the motorway, the lights came back on and the car was struggling to go above 70 mph.

Unfortunately I'm currently several hundred miles from the place I got it serviced. I took it to a local garage where I am at the moment and the diagnostics came up with a fault on the TPS. The Toyota dealer has quoted £444 inclusive to fix it. The garage here is suggesting getting a second hand Throttle Body from eBay where they're going for about £70-100.

Could this have been caused by something they did on the service? What are your thoughts about getting a salvaged part from eBay? Does anyone have experience of similar symptoms and any fixes? Thanks!

[anchorman]

I doubt the two are linked (don't think the garage could have done anything to cause the problem). I would go along with your local garage for the fix.

[IanXT4]

I believe the throttle body changed for 2004 to an all electronic design which from the attached Toyota document looks like it should be a very reliable design. (Mines 2004 and all electronic)

If I were in your position I think I would first want to know the exact fault codes that were present before I started spending money. If the Toyota garage will not let you have the code/s. Wait till the engine light is on, then either buy an OBDII code reader or persuade an independent garage to read the codes for free.

Its possible that the throttle body just needs a good clean but I would investigate/research the fault codes online and here, then consider pulling things apart.

On the subject of second hand parts, I have had great success with parts from

http://www.asm-autos.co.uk/used-car-parts.htm

However, I have always presented myself in person at one of their sites and inspected the component before I part with my money. Often they have a few similar components and its easy to see which one is worth parting cash for.

Good luck

Sensors ECU and fault codes.pdf

[IanXT4]

Just a brief addition to my previous post

Just tried to identify the throttle body part number for a 2004 RAV (made end 2003), I think its a 22030-28060 BODY ASSY, THROTTLE W/MOTOR but can not be 100% so please double check this yourself.

Googling this part number (22030-28060) with "sticking" "faulty" etc does seem to indicate that other people have experienced problems.

I was attempting to see if anyone has been successful with cleaning or identifying solutions, but I am afraid I have run out of time today

[Joylove]

Worth cleaning it first for sure, there is a link in my sig. Then you need the exact fault code, whether it be implausible readings from the A or B position sensor or sticking will help decide whether a replacement is in the pipeline.

Also checking to see if you have a cable operated device or a Drive By wire to ensure you get the right unit.

EDIT: In that PDF for a drive-by-wire car; looks like the fault code P2135 or P2138 is the one you don't want to see, and is a bit vague, since it covers both the TPS and pedal position sensor. A P2112 or P2111 means it just needs a clean.

Worth getting Techstream and a Mini VCI cable perhaps for maximum level of diagnostics detail. I can help you with this if you decide to go that route.

[snowjoke]

Thanks everyone for the advice. Unfortunately I didn't write down the fault codes (I'll know for next time). There were three, one of which was to do with the catalytic converter efficiency, and the other two mentioned throttle. But from that PDF, it seems the codes indicating TPS trouble could equally be indicating a problem with the Pedal Position Sensor, which is something different so wouldn't be cured with a new throttle body.

It looks like the sensor is rivetted on to the side of the throttle body as a sealed unit, which is why the sensor can't be replaced on its own. The reports I've found online have mostly been regarding the butterfly valve rather than the sensor. It sounds like it might be worth trying to clean the throttle body, but never having done anything more advanced than changing a wheel and checking the oil level, I don't have the expertise to do it myself. I'll call round some breakers and see what I can get in terms of a replacement throttle body. Labour round here is quite cheap so it'll probably be about £60 to have a replacement fitted.

[snowjoke]

By the way, does anyone know if the 4.2 version 22030-28060 is interchangeable with the 4.3 version 22030-28070? They look identical to me, from the pictures on eBay: (4.2 version, 4.3 version), but the 4.3 version looks to be in much better condition and is cheaper.

[Joylove]

If they aren't the same part number then they can't be the same part. I would recommend doing the cheapest mods first, and getting the screws and perhaps gasket mentioned in the guide in my sig and cleaning the one you have already. Also investing £40 in a mini VCI cable and obtaining techstream will be a wise idea, since you appear to have additional faults to attend to. Just my 2p worth.

EDIT: And since we have now learnt you have a drive-by-cable car you shouldn't have a PPS only a TPS, and a TB stuck open fault perhaps isn't possible because there is no motor drive on the butterfly, meaning the car doesn't know if yours is stuck open or if your foot is holding it open.