Volkswagen Golf 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

(252)

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

(252)

Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) Replacement Service

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

On average, the cost for a Volkswagen Golf Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) Replacement is $195 with $100 for parts and $95 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
1990 Volkswagen GolfL4-2.0LService typeThrottle Position Sensor (TPS) ReplacementEstimate$533.13Shop/Dealer Price$638.29 - $920.02
1985 Volkswagen GolfL4-1.8LService typeThrottle Position Sensor (TPS) ReplacementEstimate$480.61Shop/Dealer Price$587.03 - $883.76
2011 Volkswagen GolfL4-2.0L Turbo DieselService typeThrottle Position Sensor (TPS) ReplacementEstimate$1048.79Shop/Dealer Price$1297.26 - $2020.12
1991 Volkswagen GolfL4-1.8LService typeThrottle Position Sensor (TPS) ReplacementEstimate$490.11Shop/Dealer Price$597.51 - $894.97
1987 Volkswagen GolfL4-1.8LService typeThrottle Position Sensor (TPS) ReplacementEstimate$528.11Shop/Dealer Price$639.56 - $940.06
2002 Volkswagen GolfL4-1.9L Turbo DieselService typeThrottle Position Sensor (TPS) ReplacementEstimate$1048.79Shop/Dealer Price$1297.26 - $2020.12
1996 Volkswagen GolfL4-2.0LService typeThrottle Position Sensor (TPS) ReplacementEstimate$300.53Shop/Dealer Price$360.55 - $518.36
1997 Volkswagen GolfL4-2.0LService typeThrottle Position Sensor (TPS) ReplacementEstimate$300.53Shop/Dealer Price$360.92 - $519.02
Show example Volkswagen Golf 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 Volkswagen mechanics

Real customer reviews from Volkswagen owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(252)

Rating Summary
238
7
3
0
4
238
7
3
0
4

Christopher

13 years of experience
7 reviews
Christopher
13 years of experience
Volkswagen Golf L4-1.8L Turbo - Brake Pads Replacement (Front, Rear) - Decatur, Georgia
Great mechanic. Made sure that the job was done right. Would definitely recommend

Tien

23 years of experience
903 reviews
Tien
23 years of experience
Volkswagen Golf L4-2.0L - Crankshaft Position Sensor - San Leandro, California
Tien arrived 45 minute earlier than the appointment time and it worked out fine for me since I was off work and sitting at home waiting anyway. Tien is friendly and courteous. He switched out the faulty sensor with a brand new one in 45 minutes and tested for success. He also did some routine checks for my car to ensure everything was ok. Tien gave me some car maintenance advice and told me what parts of my old car I need to pay attention in the near future. This is my 2nd time using Yourmechanic.com and so far it has provided excellent service to me and my car.

Tien

23 years of experience
903 reviews
Tien
23 years of experience
Volkswagen Golf L4-2.0L - Crankshaft Position Sensor - San Leandro, California
Pretty good. Thanks

Christopher

27 years of experience
347 reviews
Christopher
27 years of experience
Volkswagen Golf L4-2.0L - Clutch Slave Cylinder - St. Leo, Florida
Chris arrived on time asked a few questions then went right to work.The job was a little longer than expected but was done well.I would recommend Chris to anyone as he is polite,professional, and does great work. Thank you Chris.

Excellent Rating

(252)

Rating Summary
238
7
3
0
4
238
7
3
0
4
Number of Volkswagen Golf services completed
2772+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT Volkswagen MECHANICS
1000+
experts on our platform

Recent articles & questions

Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Air Charge Temperature Sensor
Common signs include a lack of power when accelerating, trouble when starting in cold weather, and a decrease in fuel efficiency.
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Evaporator Temperature Sensor (Switch)
Common signs include lack of cold air coming from AC, temperature fluctuations, and the AC compressor not activating.
How to Replace an Injector Control Pressure Sensor
Diesel engines have an injector control pressure sensor that fails when there is hard starting, decreased power, or an illuminated Check Engine Light.

Truck is lacking power when accelerating, has rough idle, cel on and some times stalls

If the Check Engine Light (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/check-engine-light-is-on-inspection) is on, then a fault code is set. While yes it could be the TPS, have the system diagnosed and fault codes pulled to verify what is actually causing the issue. If you replace...

Does camshaft position sensor affect in any way the fuel consumption?! 2003 Mercedes ML350

Hello - yes, a failed camshaft sensor can negatively affect fuel economy. With a failed cam sensor, engine management reverts to a "fail safe" engine timing scheme which is less efficient than when all sensors are working properly. The symptom...

Vehicle stall while driving. Crankshaft Position Sensor and Coolant Temperature sensor replaced.

Was the output of the crankshaft position sensor viewed on a scope? If not, the sensor might have been perfectly good. If you are working off of codes please note that the mere presence of a code is not enough...

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 (844) 997-3624 · hi@yourmechanic.com