Just bought a 2002 Camry XLE V6. Figured id go ahead and replace valve covers. So i finish that put everything back together, and when i fire it up the check engine light is on along with erratic idling and when i press the gas pedal down all the way to the floor it slowly creeps up to about 1800 rpm and stays there. Feels like theres no power essentially.

i checked the codes and PO120 came back. I did remove the tps sensor when i was getting to the valve covers. (Not sure why, but i did)

i checked the mechanism on the tps and it seems fine. Not sure where to go from here. Can the tps sensor cause loss of power when pressing gas pedal? Is it as simple as calibrating it? I understand theres a pedal sensor but i never removed that getting to the valve covers

any feedback would be appreciated. Thank you

 

I am having the exact same problem! I removed the TPS now The idle is high and if I rev the engine it won't go above 2,000 rpm. Don't know if I put it back in wrong. I tried the tps relearn that I saw on youtube and that did nothing. I can't get the code to clear either. If you figured this out please tell me how you did it!
Thanks

 

Yes, I did in fact figure it out! Tomorrow morning i'll write you a detailed response on what I did to fix this problem. Only logged in to not leave you hanging like I was lol.

can you tell me the year of your car and what engine you have? Is it v6 or 4 banger? Thanks!

 

Thank you for the reply, been pulling my hair out all afternoon. I have the exact same car as you. 2002 camry XLE 3.0L 6cyl.

 

I'm going to do my best to be as clear as possible, and remember as best I can as this was two or three months ago. This was a hair puller for sure. I bought the car and immediately disassembled it. Thought I broke it before I even got to use it!

Problem: It's a calibration issue not a mechanical issue. (You were on the right track)

Tools Needed: Code reader that does live data. I bought this one

https://www.autel.com/c/www/mk1/3261.jhtml

It cost me around $125 off amazon. I'm sure there are other ones for cheaper but I liked the screen on this one. Check out some youtube videos on how it works. That's what I did. I will say that setting it up is kind of annoying. I don't remember exactly but i think it might be useable right out of the box. But I decided to update it before I used it and that involves downloading a program, creating an account, then hooking device to computer. Then on top of that my laptop had issues noticing the device so I had to use a micro sd card download the update then insert it in the device. So if you get this one try using it before updating.

Installing TPS: I will add a picture from the manual at the bottom. I'm sure you're installing it correctly. But refer to that picture along with the text.

Next tighten the two set screws. I believe I tightened the one on bottom to about max then the one on top I had snug but loose enough to where I could move the tps back and forth with a little force.

Calibration: This is where calibration comes in to play. This can be finicky. But it's not too bad.

1.Connect tps sensor connector.

2. Hook up OBD2 scan tool. (I was lucky enough my cord was long enough to reach into my engine bay. So I did not need an extra person. So I guess that's another benefit of the scan tool I bought.)

3. Turn ignition switch to ON. From this point on, don't touch gas pedal.

4. Like I said my cord was long enough to have my scan tool in the engine bay with me. Which is very helpful but not necessary. Open up live data on scan tool look for the abbreviation "TP" it gives out a percentage. And if you adjust your tps sensor( because we left the screws slightly loose you can see the percentage go up and down on the scan tool as you move the tps.



My set up. Me adjusting the sensor and watching the screen on the scan tool.

5. The manual says. " While reading the throttle valve opening percentage. Turn the throttle position sensor slowly left and right and set the sensor at the center value of the standard value, and then tighten the screws."

" Standard throttle valve opening percentage 16.8-18.4%"

at this point I was was stumped but all I did was cut the difference and chose a value of 17.2%. And it worked like a charm.

it's going to be tedious getting it to 17.2% because its very touchy. Even tightening the screws could throw it off. But it probably doesn't have to be exactly 17.2% thats just the number I decided on.

the torque specs for the screws is 18 INCH pounds. That's not very much so I just tightened by hand. I think the screw on bottom was annoying to reach if I remember correctly.

I think that is it. Thats what worked for me. Hopefully this doesnt sound like gibberish. I'll attach a picture from the manual that was helpful for me.

Feel free to ask any other questions. Let me know if it worked or didn't work. Goodluck!

 

Is there more instruction? The final step in the picture says to unplug the sensor. Is there some wierd tps relearn procedure to clear the check engine light?

 

I stopped at instruction (g) so everything below the word NOTICE I did not do. I didn't understand what it was going on about. It seemed like it was just undoing what I just did. I did not do any relearn procedure. Only calibrated the tps then cleared the codes with my code reader. And it worked perfect.

 

In my opinion I think what the manual is saying in round about way after instruction (g) is start over and do it again if the percentage isnt right But dont unplug the tps sensor if you get it set and its working. The manual is a little confusing. Hope this helps.

 

Probably a dumb question here, when the instructions say turn ignition switch ON does it mean stop at the ON position or does it mean to start the engine?

 

It's all good. Turn the key to the position right before you would start to crank the engine. So all of your electronics will be on but your car is off. Also just to note that your check engine light will be on in this position even if nothing is wrong with your car. Mines on right now. But if i start my car it will go off. Thats just what this car does when the key is in that position your oil light battery and check engine will all be on. So its all good its normal when the key is in the on position.