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Backward TPS

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Old May 5, 2009 | 07:14 PM
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From: Bayamon, PR
Backward TPS

Is it posible to install the throttle position sensor backward?

In all the diagrams & photos I've seen the TPS plug faces the driver side (like the intake) My 92 3.0 4Runner has the plug facing the passenger side.

Can this work this way, lately I've been getting codes 12 & 42, I believe 42 is a faulty TPS signal. Could this be the reason. Let me state that I don't know how it got this way & I haven't gone to a mechanic in a while, so it's been like this for a while. I've started getting the codes 2 weeks ago.

So... what do you think?
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Old May 5, 2009 | 07:33 PM
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From: cape cod
switch it around and see if you still get the code
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Old May 5, 2009 | 07:37 PM
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pictures?
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Old May 5, 2009 | 07:42 PM
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Yeah

I will...but I'm wondering, beside the code, what other effect this could have?

Here's a pic
Attached Thumbnails Backward TPS-front.jpg   Backward TPS-back.jpg  
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Old May 5, 2009 | 07:52 PM
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"p.p.p.p.poetry- that will work. Come sweet slumber enshroud me in thy purple cloak. hmm. doesn't even rhyme."

uh... besides the codes....

affecting fuel mileage, throttle response, kind of a "blanket" description
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Old May 5, 2009 | 07:55 PM
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That all makes sense, but who can it work backward??
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Old May 5, 2009 | 07:56 PM
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Oops!! I mean how can it work like that??
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Old May 5, 2009 | 08:10 PM
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Uhh..... what?

How did that happen? lol. Yea, its backwards.

I say its time for an ISR mod, and TB cleaning. If I were you I would take out the TB, only 4 bolts, and a few vacuum lines. Clean the whole entire thing out with some TB Cleaner, or any carbon remover. They work VERY well. Do the plenum as well.

Then switch the TPS back.
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Old May 5, 2009 | 08:23 PM
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when the throttle opens, it turns a particular direction.
that means that it moves the 'sensor' in the TPS in that direction too.
So if you move the body of the TPS in that direction, put it on the throttle shaft, and the rotate it the other direction...
you either get it or you don't.
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Old May 5, 2009 | 08:36 PM
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The gremlins did it!!

Seriously, I have no idea when was this flipped.

Last December I had to replace the MAF, the intake hose broke (it was so brittle). I had to buy a new one and before installing it I cleaned the intake & the TB. I swear I didn't touch the TPS.
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Old May 5, 2009 | 08:39 PM
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I'm sorry Abecedarian, must be slow. Didn't get that.
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Old May 5, 2009 | 08:42 PM
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Can I just unscrew it & flip it, or does it involve a little more care?
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Old May 5, 2009 | 08:50 PM
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Pull the TB and then pull the TPS. Dont try to remove it without pulling the TB, you will strip that lower screw out!

Pull it out and swap it around. Easy job. Drain a gallon of coolant out so you dont spill coolant all over the intake when you remove the lines on the TB.
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Old May 5, 2009 | 09:01 PM
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Thanks Jay.

But now I'm really confused, I was just checking in the Service Manual & in it the TPS diagrams have the plug facing the passenger side, just like mine. So...what is it? Is the plug supposed to face the driver or the passenger side??
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Old May 5, 2009 | 09:14 PM
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From: maple ridge, British Columbia, Canada
Ive always seen them facing drivers side...
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Old May 5, 2009 | 09:51 PM
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My '93 4Runner's TPS is facing the passenger side too, but my '93 truck is facing driver. I figured it didn't matter which way it was on.
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Old May 5, 2009 | 10:20 PM
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I pulled my TPS without removing the TB. You need to flip it around, adjust it properly & then test it. If everything checks out then you can also check your ignition timing as the TPS will affect this too.
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Old May 5, 2009 | 10:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Ardent
My '93 4Runner's TPS is facing the passenger side too, but my '93 truck is facing driver. I figured it didn't matter which way it was on.
Maybe it's OK like that? Did they use a weird backwards one at some point?
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Old May 5, 2009 | 10:35 PM
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my 94 4runner 3.0 has it facing the passanger and my 88 4runner 3.0 has it facing the driver side.
Whats up with this.
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Old May 6, 2009 | 02:08 AM
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From: (LSD) Lower Slower Delaware
That's why a got a 22r, none of those little sensors to play with.
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