Is A Throttle Position Sensor Covered Under Warranty
Is A Throttle Position Sensor covered under warranty? If your car is covered under a manufacturer or factory warranty, repairs are generally covered at no cost to you. However, most manufacturer warranties only last a certain amount of time or mileage, with most standard factory warranties ending at 3 years or 36,000 miles. If your car’s Throttle Position Sensor breaks unexpectedly and your manufacturer’s warranty expired, then you’ll left paying those costly repair bills on your own.
It’s important to check the warranty information for your specific vehicle before making any repairs. Some warranties may cover the cost of repairs, while others may only cover the cost of replacement parts.
Manufacturer’s Warranty
When a Throttle Position Sensor breaks, they are commonly covered by the vehicle’s Manufacturer Warranty. This coverage typically applies to defects in materials or workmanship during the warranty period. The warranty duration for a vehicle’s Throttle Position Sensor can vary. It may range from a few years to the vehicle’s lifetime. Check your vehicle’s warranty documentation or contact the manufacturer for coverage period.
Manufacturer warranties frequently include exclusions, such as coverage for typical wear and tear or damage resulting from accidents, misuse, or modifications by the owner. Should your vehicle’s Throttle Position Sensor break, you can usually get it fixed or replaced at an authorized dealership or service center. In order to secure warranty coverage for your vehicle, proof of ownership is typically required. This can be provided through your vehicle’s registration or purchase documents.
Extended Warranty
Consumers may choose to buy a Mopar Extended Warranty to cover a Throttle Position Sensor. These are frequently provided by third-party companies or retailers and can offer coverage beyond the manufacturer’s warranty. Carefully review the policy to understand the coverage and circumstances for repairs under extended warranties.
The Mopar Maximum Care Warranty, also known as the “bumper-to-bumper” warranty, is the most comprehensive extended coverage available for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep or Ram. It extends your Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep or Ram’s powertrain and basic component coverage beyond the 3-year/36,000-mile manufacturer’s warranty. Additionally, it covers more than 5,000 components, providing virtually complete mechanical coverage for your vehicle.
The only components not covered under this warranty include:
- Maintenance services and items used in such services.
- Glass, plastic lenses.
- Body and paint items, including soft trim.
- Wear items such as manual clutch assembly, brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums and belts are not covered at any time.
- Snowplows, winches and trailer hitches
Signs of A Failing Throttle Position Sensor
- Erratic Idle Speed. One of the primary indicators of a failing TPS is an erratic or unstable idle speed. When the sensor malfunctions, it may send incorrect signals to the engine control unit (ECU), leading to irregular engine idling. You may notice the engine revving up and down unexpectedly, or it may struggle to maintain a consistent idle speed.
- Delayed Response to Acceleration. A properly functioning throttle position sensor is responsible for relaying the driver’s input to the engine, adjusting the air-fuel mixture accordingly for smooth acceleration. However, a failing TPS may cause a delay in throttle response. You might experience a sluggish or unresponsive reaction when pressing down on the accelerator pedal, especially during initial acceleration from a standstill.
- Surging or Hesitation During Acceleration. In addition to delayed response, a failing TPS can also result in surging or hesitation during acceleration. This means that the vehicle may exhibit sudden bursts of speed followed by a momentary loss of power or hesitation. This erratic behavior can be both frustrating and potentially dangerous, especially when merging onto highways or overtaking other vehicles.
- Stalling or Sudden Loss of Power. As the TPS begins to fail completely, it may send inaccurate signals to the ECU, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly or experience a sudden loss of power while driving. This can be particularly hazardous, especially in high-traffic situations or when navigating tricky road conditions. If you notice your vehicle stalling frequently or losing power without warning, it’s crucial to have the TPS inspected and replaced if necessary.
- Check Engine Light Illumination. Many modern vehicles are equipped with onboard diagnostics systems that monitor various sensors and components for faults. A failing throttle position sensor is likely to trigger the check engine light (CEL) on your dashboard. While the CEL can indicate a wide range of issues, it’s essential not to ignore it, as it could be signaling a problem with the TPS that requires immediate attention.
