I have a 99' 4Runner with the 5VZ FE & just recently my check engine light came on but it would come on & off randomly. My buddy used his scanner & came up with this code: "P0120 throttle position sensor A circut". The next day I took it to my local Toyota mechanic & he told me to get some throttle body cleaner & an old toothbrush & clean the carbon deposits inside the throttle body because it may be dirty & it may fix the problem. Has anyone had this problem before & attempted to clean the inside of the throttle body? The reason why I'm asking is because I want to know if the carbon deposits affect the TPS sensor & if cleaning it cures the problem? I want to hear your inputs before I spend $130 for a new TPS sensor from Toyota!

 

dude, don't ever spend that much for a part like a TPS from Toyota...i had the same code and picked up a new TPS from autozone for $60, and it's fixed all my problems and comes with a nice warranty...save yourself the time of cleaning and just get a new one...trust me

 

Thanks for the advice Mike! Well my mechanic told me that he did it to a few other toyota cars & it seemed to work. But he also told me to just try it out first to see if the problem goes away before I start spending money. What is the make of your aftermarket TPS so I can go to my local parts store to see if they carry it because in up here in Canada we don't have an Autozone just NAPA. Because I'm afraid they might tell me that they don't carry it & it's only an OEM part! Do have the part # by any chance?

 

it was just the Duralast brand from Autozone, part # TPS482 as stated on their website and comes with a two year warranty...and it also looked exactly like the one that i pulled off the truck as far as markings, colors, and numbers/letters...and my bad on the price, as it was really only $49.99

edit: OEM Number: 89452- 35020; 89452- 35100
this was also listed on their website under the Duralast part number...just thought i'd post it

 

Well thanks again Mike that saved me about $80 buying from the dealer!

 

Let us know how long it lasts....

 

no problem...and it's been right at 6 months now since i've bought it, which isn't that long but still no CELs being thrown, so i think the part is of good quality

 

Not wasting your time and just buying the sensor from autozone is the best way to go, but just thought i would throw out there i have had that code as well as having my IAC valve stick closed while driving. I removed my throttle body and cleaned every thing out with throttle body cleaner and have not had a problem since. That was last summer.

 

mine just came on a few weeks ago it runs the same no problems idle is a little high around 1100 i cleaned the tb guess i just need to replace the sensor ?

 

Just for fun I checked NAPA--they list two: an Echlin for $53 and a Delphi for about $70. So these are pretty easy to find. I use NAPA because they are two miles way, Autozone is about 15.

 

hey there jusst replace mine two months ago i used a standard brand made in japan part #091769 522469 I think it cost me about 110 canadian

 

if ur throttle body is dirty, you should still clean it. It could lead to hesitation. seems a bit foolish to just throw parts at it rather than spend 10 minutes and a $4.00 bottle of cleaner to try and see if ti fixes it. If not, oh well you now have a clean throttle body if it does work then good!

 

lol your never gonna guess but i guess my truck knows im poor and poof like magic no more cel been 3days

 

hello, I'm getting a check engine light on and the code of p0120 !! is the tps sensor or throttle switch easy to clean and how hard to remove? I HAVE A 1999 4RUNNER thanks and have a safe holiday

 

Get the Toyota part number. A little time on the internet will cross reference will the OE part number with the Denso part number. Then order the Denso part from Ebay.

I cringe when I hear of Autozone or NAPA parts being installed on a Toyota engine.

.

 

My 99 kept randomly throwing that code. Eventually we swapped it with the TPS on my wife's 96. The 96 doesn't seem to care the slightest (never throws a code), and the 96's TPS works perfectly on the 99.

 

I just had the P0120 code and bought a TPS at Autozone. Cleared the code and it has not returned after a few hundred miles, so that was probably it.


It's not the most sophisticated part. An Autozone TPS seems about as risky as Delco wiper blades. JMO.


p.s. Thanks folks for the diagnostic help.

 

Error Code: P0120 (Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch ”A” Circuit)
Check the following:
- ECTS Fuse.
- Wiring harness.

- Throttle control motor and sensor

- ECM

 

My dad's truck is a 96 and he recently passed after he passed I got his truck and started having brake downs left and right. The check engine light came on and went to O'Reilly's the the code came up as p0120 closed throttle positioning sensor well I bought a new part and installed it and still the check engine light is still on I was told to drive it and wait to see if it would go off and it hasn't...the next night I took back to O'Reilly's and still the same code came up...people have told me oh its a toyota get rid of it...of with it beings my dad's there's no way in hell I would ever get rid of it!!! Anymore suggestions on what to do???

 

First Welcome to Yota Tech !!

The people who told you to just get rid of the truck most likely wanted it themselves.

We will get this figured out.

One must remember when you get any code it is not just the sensor in question.

Was the old TPS even tested or just replaced??

Some real poor quality parts out there these days failed out of the box??

In your case it just be a corroded connection.

Are you able to do some mechanical work yourself or at the mercy of paying someone.

Be nice to know where you are help could be close at hand

Things to know mileage and drivetrain??