This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) on the 2015-2020 Ford F-150 with the 5.0L Coyote V8 engine.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Throttle Position Sensor × 1 — Motorcraft DY-1186 or equivalent
• Throttle body gasket (if damaged) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
2. Turn ignition off and remove key
3. Allow engine to cool completely for at least 30 minutes
4. Open hood and secure with prop rod
5. Disconnect negative battery terminal and wait 2 minutes for system capacitors to discharge

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove engine cover
   Grasp the engine cover firmly and pull upward to disengage the retention grommets. The cover is not bolted and uses push-fit grommets. Set the cover aside in a clean area.
2. 2

   Access the throttle body assembly
   Locate the throttle body on the driver side of the intake manifold. The TPS is integrated into the throttle body assembly. You may need to disconnect the air intake tube at the throttle body by loosening the hose clamp to improve access.
3. 3

   Disconnect the TPS electrical connector
   Locate the electrical connector on the side of the throttle body. Press the locking tab and pull the connector straight out from the sensor. Do not pull on the wires. Inspect the connector terminals for corrosion or damage.
4. 4

   Remove TPS mounting screws
   Locate the two TPS mounting screws on the throttle body. These are small Torx or Phillips screws depending on model year. Remove both screws completely and set aside. Note the orientation of the sensor before removal.
   ⚠TPS screws are small and easy to drop - use a magnetic tray to prevent loss
   Torque spec

   TPS Screws3 Nm (2 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove the TPS from throttle body
   Carefully pull the TPS sensor straight out from the throttle body. The sensor shaft engages with the throttle plate shaft. If stuck, gently wiggle while pulling - do not pry against the throttle body housing as this can cause damage.
6. 6

   Clean the mounting surface
   Using a clean rag and electrical contact cleaner if needed, clean the TPS mounting area on the throttle body. Remove any dirt, oil, or debris. Inspect the O-ring groove for damage. Check that the throttle plate shaft rotates freely.
7. 7

   Install new TPS
   Align the new TPS with the throttle plate shaft, ensuring the sensor shaft engages properly with the throttle mechanism. The sensor will only fit in one orientation. Push the sensor flush against the throttle body mounting surface.
   ⚠Ensure proper alignment before installing screws to avoid cross-threading or sensor damage
8. 8

   Install TPS mounting screws
   Install both TPS mounting screws by hand, starting each screw without tightening. Once both screws are started, tighten in a cross pattern to the specified torque of 3.0 Nm (2.0 lb-ft). Use a torque wrench appropriate for small fasteners.
   Torque spec

   TPS Screws3 Nm (2 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Reconnect electrical connector
   Push the electrical connector firmly onto the TPS until you hear or feel a positive click. Gently tug on the connector to verify it is fully seated and locked in place.
10. 10

    Reinstall air intake and engine cover
    If removed, reconnect the air intake tube to the throttle body and tighten the hose clamp securely. Reinstall the engine cover by aligning the grommets and pressing down firmly until all retention points snap into place.
11. 11

    Reconnect battery and initialize system
    Reconnect the negative battery terminal. Turn the ignition to ON position without starting the engine. Wait 30 seconds to allow the PCM to initialize the new TPS. Turn ignition off, wait 10 seconds, then start the engine.

Reassembly

1. Verify all electrical connections are secure and properly seated
2. Confirm engine cover is properly installed on all retention grommets
3. Check that no tools or parts have been left in the engine compartment

Verification

• Start the engine and verify smooth idle with no check engine light
• With engine running, slowly press accelerator pedal and verify smooth throttle response without hesitation
• Scan for diagnostic trouble codes using an OBD-II scanner - there should be no TPS-related codes
• Perform a test drive to confirm proper acceleration and no driveability issues
• If experiencing rough idle or poor throttle response, perform a throttle body relearn procedure using a scan tool or by following the key-on throttle relearn sequence in the owner's manual

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