Short answer
On a Honda with a cable throttle, the TPS is usually a separate sensor on the throttle body; with an electronic throttle the sensors are usually built in and the fix is usually a throttle body. Read the codes, check the connector, do a sweep test, then buy Honda genuine or an aftermarket part matched to your VIN, and run any idle relearn.
First: which kind of throttle does your Honda have?
Open the hood and follow the intake tube from the air filter to where it meets the engine. That is the throttle body. If a cable from the gas pedal connects to a pulley on it, your Honda has a cable throttle and the TPS is normally a separate sensor on the end of the throttle shaft. If there is no cable and the throttle body has a motor housing, it is an electronic (drive by wire) throttle, and the position sensors are usually built in. TPS vs throttle body explains the difference.
What is specific to Honda
Honda searches are mostly about throttle bodies for specific models (Civic, Accord, Odyssey), which fits the electronic throttle pattern where the sensors come with the throttle body. Before buying one, rule out the cheaper causes of idle complaints: a vacuum leak, carbon at the throttle plate, and a needed idle relearn after battery work.
An electronic throttle body costs far more than a separate sensor, so price the part before you book the labor. See TPS replacement cost.
Honda TPS symptoms and codes
The symptoms are the same as on any vehicle: hesitation, surging, a rough or high idle, stalling, odd automatic shifts, and reduced power on electronic throttles. The generic codes are the same too:
Generic OBD-II throttle position codes. Titles from OBD-Codes.com; your maker may word them differently.
| Code | Generic title | In plain English | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| P0120 | Throttle Position Sensor/Switch A Circuit Malfunction | The signal is outside the range the computer expects. | P0120 guide |
| P0121 | Throttle Position Sensor/Switch A Circuit Range/Performance | The signal does not match what the engine is doing (RPM, airflow). | P0121 guide |
| P0122 | Throttle Position Sensor/Switch A Circuit Low Input | The signal voltage is too low, often an open or a short to ground. | P0122 guide |
| P0123 | Throttle Position Sensor/Switch A Circuit High Input | The signal voltage is too high, often a lost ground or a short to voltage. | P0123 guide |
| P0124 | Throttle Position Sensor/Switch A Circuit Intermittent | The signal drops in and out: wiring, a connector or a worn track. | Codes hub |
| P2135 | Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch A/B Voltage Correlation | The two sensors in an electronic throttle body disagree. | P2135 guide |
Honda may add its own related codes and word the titles differently. Your service information has the exact set conditions.
Testing a Honda TPS
The method is the standard one: check the 5 V reference and the ground, then back-probe the signal and sweep the throttle slowly, looking for jumps and dropouts. On electronic throttles, watch both throttle signals in live data while pressing the pedal rather than forcing the plate. Full steps: how to test a TPS sensor.
Buying a TPS for your Honda
-
01
Honda genuine
Best for: an exact match to the original
- Dealer parts counter or online dealer stores
- Usually the highest price
-
02
Hitachi (Astemo)
Best for: an OE supplier’s aftermarket line
- The former Hitachi Automotive
- Check fitment by part number
Source: Astemo (Hitachi) Aftermarket: Throttle position sensors
-
03
Throttle body cleaner
Best for: idle complaints with no TPS codes
- Use the type your maker allows
- Do not force the plate on electronic throttles
Brand notes: the TPS brand table on the home page. Cost: TPS replacement cost. Install: how to replace a TPS sensor.
Questions people ask
Does a Honda need an idle relearn after a TPS or throttle body swap?
Many vehicles do after a battery disconnect or throttle work, and idle can sit high or hunt until it is done. The procedure is in your Honda service information.
Should I clean the throttle body first?
If the symptom is a rough or unstable idle with no TPS codes, a dirty throttle body or vacuum leak is a common cause and worth checking first. Follow Honda’s guidance for your engine, and never force the plate on an electronic throttle.
Is a Honda genuine TPS worth it?
It is the exact match and costs more. Aftermarket sensors from makers such as Standard Motor Products, Walker, Dorman and Hitachi cost less. Match the VIN or old part number either way.
Sources
Last reviewed 2026-10-12. General guidance only: specs, procedures and fitment vary by vehicle, so confirm in your service manual and on the listing before you buy or wrench.