Toyota Tercel Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) Replacement at your home or office.

Our mobile mechanics offer services 7 days a week. Upfront and transparent pricing.

Estimate price near me

Service Location

Customer Ratings

(45)

Included for free with this service

Online Booking

Mechanic comes to you

12-month / 12k-mile warranty

Free 50 point safety inspection

Our certified mobile mechanics can come to your home or office 7 days a week between 7 AM and 9 PM.

Customer Ratings

(45)

Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) Replacement Service

How much does a Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) Replacement cost?

On average, the cost for a Toyota Tercel Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) Replacement is $179 with $84 for parts and $95 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
1986 Toyota TercelL4-1.5LService typeThrottle Position Sensor (TPS) ReplacementEstimate$282.93Shop/Dealer Price$334.92 - $468.37
1997 Toyota TercelL4-1.5LService typeThrottle Position Sensor (TPS) ReplacementEstimate$268.61Shop/Dealer Price$322.03 - $459.76
1983 Toyota TercelL4-1.5LService typeThrottle Position Sensor (TPS) ReplacementEstimate$353.53Shop/Dealer Price$428.18 - $629.60
1989 Toyota TercelL4-1.5LService typeThrottle Position Sensor (TPS) ReplacementEstimate$366.81Shop/Dealer Price$444.76 - $656.12
1984 Toyota TercelL4-1.5LService typeThrottle Position Sensor (TPS) ReplacementEstimate$262.93Shop/Dealer Price$314.95 - $448.43
1993 Toyota TercelL4-1.5LService typeThrottle Position Sensor (TPS) ReplacementEstimate$398.31Shop/Dealer Price$484.16 - $719.16
1990 Toyota TercelL4-1.5LService typeThrottle Position Sensor (TPS) ReplacementEstimate$359.53Shop/Dealer Price$434.30 - $636.36
1981 Toyota TercelL4-1.5LService typeThrottle Position Sensor (TPS) ReplacementEstimate$358.53Shop/Dealer Price$433.42 - $635.02
Show example Toyota Tercel Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) Replacement prices

What is the Throttle Position Sensor all about?

For a car to run smoothly, it needs the proper mixture of air and fuel. The amount of air in the engine is controlled by the air intake system. A throttle body is part of the air intake system that helps control the amount of air that gets into the engine. The throttle body has a throttle plate. If the plate is closed, it prevents the air from getting into the engine. When you push the gas pedal, it opens the plate, allowing the air to enter the engine. The amount of air depends on the position of the plate, which is controlled by the gas pedal. The harder you push the gas pedal, the wider the plate will open, and more air will flow to the engine. This means more power and more speed.

The throttle position sensor reports the position of the gas pedal to the computer in your car (Engine Control Unit). The computer then determines the position of the throttle plate. It also calculates the amount of air flow to the engine and the amount of fuel to be injected for the required ratio of air-fuel mixture.

The throttle position sensor also controls the shifting of the gears. If this sensor stops working, the car's computer will not be able to calculate the right amount of fuel to be injected in the system. It may not be able to change the gears. Your car will not get the right amount of power. It may not even start. The Check Engine light may come on.

Keep in mind:

  • When the throttle position sensor is repaired or replaced, it will need to have the minimum idle speed reset to factory specs, and the trouble codes will need to be cleared.
  • When a new throttle position sensor is placed in your vehicle, it should be checked for software updates.

How it's done:

  • Scan the computer system for codes.
  • Test the throttle position sensor and related wiring.
  • Remove and replace the throttle position sensor if found faulty.
  • Clean the carbon from throttle body.
  • Re-install throttle body and reset minimum idle speed to factory specs.
  • Clear trouble codes and check for proper operation.
  • Test drive vehicle.

Our recommendation:

If you notice that the gears are not changing properly, get the throttle position sensor (TPS) inspected. A good mechanic will clean the throttle body during a tune-up. If the Check Engine light is on, get the car inspected as soon as you can.

What common symptoms indicate you may need to replace the Throttle Position Sensor?

  • Engine may be stalling or misfiring.
  • Poor engine performance.
  • Lack of power.
  • Transmission (gear) may not be shifting correctly.

How important is this service?

Your vehicle depends on an optimal mixture of air and fuel in order to run optimally. The amount of air that enters the engine is controlled by the air intake system. The faster your engine is moving, the more air it needs, so your air intake system is in tune with your gas pedal. Your throttle position sensor is constantly sending information about your gas pedal to the vehicle’s engine control unit. The computer then chooses the optimal position for the throttle plate, which is the part of the air intake system that lets air into the engine.

When the throttle position sensor malfunctions, the engine control unit has no information about the gas pedal, and the throttle plate is not utilized. As a result, your vehicle will not get the right amount of air into the engine, and your engine will lose power and run very poorly. In some cases, this will keep your vehicle from being able to change gears.

Fast and easy service at your home or office

Backed by 12-month, 12.000-mile guarantee


Meet some of our expert Toyota mechanics

Real customer reviews from Toyota owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(45)

Rating Summary
43
1
1
0
0
43
1
1
0
0

Andrian

32 years of experience
185 reviews
Andrian
32 years of experience
Toyota Tercel L4-1.5L - Battery Light is on - Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Very professional and attention to detail tell you wats wrong with your vehicle and let u know wat u need need to get to get your vehicle running again

Chris

16 years of experience
419 reviews
Chris
16 years of experience
Toyota Tercel L4-1.5L - Check Engine Light is on - San Francisco, California
Chris was very professional and courteous during the appointment. I look forward to working with him again.

Grzegorz

41 years of experience
473 reviews
Grzegorz
41 years of experience
Toyota Tercel L4-1.5L - EGR Control Solenoid - San Francisco, California
Very good mechanic, patient, friendly and will answer all your questions

Bernie

52 years of experience
59 reviews
Bernie
52 years of experience
Toyota Tercel L4-1.5L - Brake Master Cylinder Replacement - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
It was a very good experience he showed up and he worked very hard and tedious to get the job done, considering the weather was not that good he came without any excuses and did a great job. Thank You Mr. Bernie and My Mechanic

Excellent Rating

(45)

Rating Summary
43
1
1
0
0
43
1
1
0
0
Number of Toyota Tercel services completed
495+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT Toyota MECHANICS
1600+
experts on our platform

Recent articles & questions

How to Buy Good Quality Sensors
Sensors Sensors for autos have many of the same characteristics that other types of sensors do – they are created to detect a signal, respond to chemical or physical variations such as distance or temperature. These signals are then converted...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Low Oil Level Sensor
Common signs include inaccurate oil readings, the Oil Light coming on for no reason, the car not starting, and the Check Engine Light coming on.
How Long Does a Barometric Sensor Last?
The The barometric sensor (also called the barometric pressure sensor, or BAP) is one of a number of sensors on cars that have computer-controlled engines. All it does is measure atmospheric pressure, essentially the same way that a weather barometer...

CEL limp mode reflash

Hello there. The type of issues you have described are not uncommon with the newer F series diesel trucks. The technical service bulletins (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-use-a-technical-service-bulletin-by-parker-hill) are put out as a way to get vehicles repaired properly once a common failure point...

Speedometer jumps up/down and van backfires. 1998 GMC Savana

Hi there, thanks for writing in about your 1998 GMC Savana 2500. The speedometer and radio may work together to adjust volume of the radio as the speed increases. The cluster or any of the affected modules may have a...

Gday Chet. My Subaru Liberty has been not starting randomly . Turns over but won't start 1998 Subaru Liberty

Hi there - your instincts are good! I suspect a failing crankshaft position sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-crankshaft-position-sensor) as well. When they fail, there is often no Check Engine indicator. Checking for spark at the plugs during a "no start" event would be...

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (855) 347-2779 · hi@yourmechanic.com