Any tips on throttle position sensor??

I have just had my ZX2 diagnosed because it was idling rough and the engine light came on. I was wondering if any of you may have changed it before or could shed a little light on the subject. I read the Haynes manual, but it confused me a bit.

What is the best way to do it? What parts would I need? Do I need to take the engine apart to do it? And how would I clean the throttle body, itself?

Also, if anyone knows what the vacuum hose is or part number for the hose that runs from the back of the engine underneath the car to the front I'd be obliged. I may post a pic tomorrow when it's light out again.

Sorry if I'm a little automotively-challenged, but I'm desparate since I have little money to pay to get it fixed.

Thanks,
Chachi

haynes sucks for our cars ask on teamzx2.com

The ZX-2 throttle position sensor (TPS) is a simple system to diagnos. If you have access to a good volt meter. I use a cheap bluepoint meter, it ran me about 100 bucks. You will need some paper clips or needles, there should be about 3 wires, I think coming out of the TPS. it is a 5volt referance signal, it should read with key on engine off (KOEO) .5V-5.0V. It should be a smooth transition up from .5V to the 5V. Make sure to sweep the throttle slowly to get a accurate reading.


Hope that helps a bit, I worked on Fords not to long ago, and all Zetecs in the 2000-04 model Focus and Escort are mostly the same.

The ZX-2 throttle position sensor (TPS) is a simple system to diagnos. If you have access to a good volt meter. I use a cheap bluepoint meter, it ran me about 100 bucks. You will need some paper clips or needles, there should be about 3 wires, I think coming out of the TPS. it is a 5volt referance signal, it should read with key on engine off (KOEO) .5V-5.0V. It should be a smooth transition up from .5V to the 5V. Make sure to sweep the throttle slowly to get a accurate reading.


Hope that helps a bit, I worked on Fords not to long ago, and all Zetecs in the 2000-04 model Focus and Escort are mostly the same.


Thanks, you have posted the most information of anyone I've found either here or at teamzx2.com.

I have figured out the basics of how to do it. I've gotten to the sensor itself and I don't have the correct size screwdriver so I'm gonna have to tackle the rest of it tomorrow. However, I am wondering about whether the TPS just goes onto the throttle body directly, or if I will have to turn it and test it with an ohmmeter as the manual seems to state. From what I can see on the car it doesn't appear that the TPS can be turned from where the screws mount onto the throttle body.

My question at this point is, do I even have to worry about testing it with the ohmmeter before I secure it completely down? Do I have to make sure the battery is connected before I test it with the ohmmeter? If so, also where do I put the positive and the negative and what setting do I set to my ohmmeter? Haynes says E and IDL, and the TPS I bought is marked with completely different letters, A, B, and C. And as a sidenote, I can't identify where I'm supposed to put the feeler gauge. Haynes says on the other side, at least I think I read it right, there is a throttle stop screw that I'm supposed to place it between. Is this something that is attached at where the throttle wire comes in from?

If anyone can provide any answers to any or all of these questions it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Chachi