Testing TPS with multimeter

[EnemyKhan]

So I've been completely through this guide alreadyhttp://forums.nicoclub.com/zerothread?id=161700and I still cant seem to figure it out. Either the tps is WAY off or I am with my test. I've never used one of these things before but I think I got it right. Here's what I did:

Pulled the TPS sensorTurned the car into ON positionPut the settings on the multimeter to read in tens of volts (20.) <- that one

Looking into the sensor plug with the clip side top,Placed the red wire into the spot on the leftPlaced the black wire into the spot in the middle.READOUT: Idle -11.44 Full Throttle -11.71

confused, I tried placing the ground wire actually on the battery ground this time while leaving the red wire in the first spot on the left and got,READOUT: Idle .17 Full Throttle .09

Still confused, am I doing this completely wrong?

[EnemyKhan]

oh, and since it makes a difference, it's a S13 auto.

[r3v_v3ng3]

try back probing the connector/wire

[zstylelowrider]

you need to test it with the connector hooked up. back probe the connector with the plug attached.

[Urnext]

you need to have the key on engine off and back probe the center wire in the connector with the tps plugged in and put your ground on the battery it should sit somewhere around .50 volts and like 4.88 volts at wot. once you got this down adjust the tps to .5 volts at closed throttle.

[EnemyKhan]

ok, thanks for the clarification guys, i'll give it a shot in a few minutes!

[EnemyKhan]

Okay, so just to be sure, here's some pix.

This is how i plugged it in. Into the back of the middle wire then grounded at battery.

This is that setup plugged into the sensor under no throttle.

Then the same thing (though blurry) under full throttle.

So i guess that settles it? faulty TPS?

[zstylelowrider]

hey man you are testing the wrong connector. look at throttle body and you should see a wire coming out of the same sensor you were testing. if it is like mine the connector you need to test has a zip tie around it and is tied to the hose coming from your intake tube to your valve cover. the connector that you are testing is a closed throttle position switch.

[EnemyKhan]

hmm, i'm not too sure, I know there's differences between the s13, 14, auto and manuals. I dont see any other lines coming out of this one.

[guyaverage]

Still confused, am I doing this completely wrong?

oh, and since it makes a difference, it's a S13 auto.

Yes, you are doing it completely wrong.

The TPS on an AUTOMATIC does not get tested by back back-probing for voltage. It gets adjusted by reading the soft and hard closed throttle position switch part of the TPS. See the factory service manual part EF & EC pg.164 (which shows as page 166 of the manual).

Also, and its important to note, the factory manual has it completely BACKWARDS when it comes to testing the TPS for an automatic. In the "continuity" column the "no" and "yes" should be switched.