How the throttle potentiometer works
Here you will find useful basic information and important tips relating to the throttle valve potentiometer in vehicles.
Important safety note
The following technical information and practical tips have been compiled by HELLA in order to provide professional support to vehicle workshops in their day-to-day work. The information provided on this website is intended for suitably qualified personnel only.
The throttle valve potentiometer determines the opening angle of the throttle valve. This information is then forwarded to the control unit and used as a parameter for calculating the necessary fuel quantity. It is mounted directly on the throttle valve shaft.
The throttle valve potentiometer is an angle transmitter with a linear characteristic curve. It converts the respective throttle valve opening angle into a proportional voltage ratio. When the throttle valve is actuated, a rotor connected to the throttle valve shaft slides over resistance tracks with its sliding contacts, which converts the throttle valve position into a voltage ratio.
Throttle valve potentiometer
A defective throttle valve potentiometer can manifest itself as follows:
Causes of throttle valve potentiometer failure can be:
The following test steps should be considered during troubleshooting:
Throttle valve potentiometer – example OK
Check the throttle valve potentiometer for damage
Check the plug connection to ensure it is fitted correctly and for any contamination
Measure the resistance at the throttle valve potentiometer (circuit diagram required for pin assignment). Connect the ohmmeter and check the resistance with the throttle valve closed; slowly open the throttle valve and monitor the change in the resistance (an interruption to the sliding contact can be identified during the measurement). Check the resistance with the throttle valve fully open (observe the manufacturer's specifications).
Check the cable connections to the control unit for continuity and a short circuit to frame (circuit diagram required for pin assignment). Check the continuity of the individual cables with removed control unit plug and component plug; reference value approx. 0 ohms. Also check each cable against vehicle ground for a short circuit to frame; reference value approx. >30 MOhm.
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