Parts for your 1991 Suzuki Jimny-Throttle position sensors

1991 Suzuki Jimny (Sierra): Is a throttle position sensor used?

For Australian and New Zealand–spec 1991 Suzuki Jimny (sold locally as the Sierra SJ413, 1.3‑litre G13 series), a throttle position sensor (TPS) is not fitted and isn’t relevant to standard servicing. These models ran a cable‑operated carburettor and a largely mechanical ignition system, so there’s no engine control unit that needs a throttle‑angle signal.

This isn’t just workshop folklore. Technical references that describe the AU/NZ vehicles list a conventional carb setup with no TPS:

• Suzuki Sierra/SJ413 Factory Service Manual (Fuel System—Carburettor): shows a mechanically metered Aisan/Mikuni carb, with vacuum/thermo controls and no TPS component or test procedure.
• Gregory’s Suzuki Sierra 1981–1994 Repair Manual (AU/NZ): covers the 1.3‑litre carburetted engines used through the early ’90s, TPS is not listed among sensors, and EFI appears only on later variants.
• Autodata technical specifications for Sierra 1.3 (circa 1990–1994): fuel system noted as “carburettor”, no TPS listed in the electrical/sensor lineup.

It’s easy to see why a TPS isn’t used here. On these Sierras, fuel is metered by the carburettor rather than an ECU, and ignition advance is handled by mechanical and vacuum mechanisms inside the distributor. Without an ECU calling the shots, a throttle‑angle signal has nothing to report to. That’s why you won’t find a TPS on the side of the carb, nor any TPS wiring in the loom.

One caveat: some Japan‑domestic Jimny variants from the same era—like the JA11 with the 660 cc F6A and electronic fuel injection—do have a TPS on the throttle body. That can cause confusion online. But for a 1991 Aussie or Kiwi Sierra/Jimny running the stock 1.3 carb, there’s no TPS to replace, calibrate or maintain. If the vehicle has been converted to EFI, that’s a different story, in that case the TPS lives on the throttle body and must be set to spec per the EFI donor manual.

Popular questions about 1991 Suzuki Jimny throttle position sensors

Does a 1991 Suzuki Jimny/Sierra have a throttle position sensor?
For AU/NZ‑spec 1991 models with the 1.3‑litre carburettor, no—there’s no TPS from factory. Only EFI‑equipped Jimnys (such as certain Japan‑market JA11s) used a TPS on the throttle body.

How can someone tell if their 1991 Jimny has EFI and a TPS?
Pop the bonnet: a carb has fuel lines and a choke, while EFI will have an injector/throttle body or intake rail with an electrical connector on the throttle shaft (that’s the TPS). You’ll also spot an EFI fuse/relay, an ECU, and usually a check‑engine light. AU/NZ Sierras coded SJ70/SJ71/SJ73 were carb, later EFI models (and conversions) are the ones with a TPS.

If converting to EFI, what should be done about the TPS?
Use the TPS that matches the donor throttle body and ECU loom. Mount it correctly, set the idle‑switch/voltage per the EFI manual, and check for smooth resistance or voltage change through the throttle sweep. A misadjusted TPS will cause rough idle, hesitation and high fuel use.