Parts for your 2000 Toyota Crown-Throttle position sensors

2000 Toyota Crown throttle position sensor (TPS): purpose, care and replacement

Yes, the 2000 Toyota Crown (S170 series) uses a throttle position sensor. Toyota technical sources for the S170—namely the Toyota Crown Repair Manual engine control sections for the 1JZ‑GE/2JZ‑GE/1G‑FE/1JZ‑FSE, the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue throttle-body diagrams, and the factory DTC lists (P0120–P0123/P0220 range)—all identify a TP sensor signal (VTA/VTA2) either as a discrete sensor on cable-throttle variants or integrated within the ETCS‑i electronic throttle body on drive‑by‑wire models.

On this Crown, the TPS tells the ECU exactly how far the throttle is open, so fuelling, ignition timing, idle speed and even auto‑trans shift timing stay sharp. When it goes off, owners often notice flat spots, dodgy idle, harsh upshifts, poor fuel economy, or the Crown dropping into limp mode with a check‑engine light.

Servicing is straightforward. Keep the throttle body clean and the connector dry and snug. Use electronics‑safe contact cleaner on the plug only—don’t flood the sensor. Give the engine bay loom a quick once‑over for brittle insulation, especially near the throttle body where heat is highest.

Replacement differs by variant:

• Cable‑throttle (separate TPS): Disconnect the battery, pull the intake tube, unplug the TPS and remove the two screws. Fit the new unit and set it lightly so it can rotate. With a scan tool or multimeter, set closed‑throttle voltage to typical Toyota spec (about 0.5–0.8 V closed, ~3.5–4.8 V wide open—check the exact spec for the engine code). Nip the screws to small fastener torque—don’t gorilla it.
• ETCS‑i (drive‑by‑wire): The TP sensing is built into the throttle body with a throttle motor. Diagnosis confirms TPS fault via VTA/VTA2 correlation tests. If faulty, the throttle body is replaced as an assembly. After refit, perform an idle/throttle relearn with a capable scan tool or the factory warm‑up/idle procedure.

Good quality parts matter—genuine Toyota/Denso or a reputable equivalent keeps the signal clean and reliable over Aussie and Kiwi kilometres. After any TPS or throttle work, clear codes, check live data, ensure smooth voltage sweep with no dropouts, and verify crisp tip‑in on a short road test. If the auto box felt cranky beforehand, chances are it’ll shift far happier once the TPS is spot‑on.

Popular questions

Does the 2000 Crown have drive‑by‑wire or a cable throttle?
Most VVT‑i engines in the S170 Crown run ETCS‑i (drive‑by‑wire) with the TPS integrated into the throttle body, plus an accelerator pedal position sensor. Some lower‑spec engines use a cable throttle with a separate, adjustable TPS on the side of the throttle body. A quick look at the throttle linkage—or the VIN/engine code—confirms which one it is.

How do you reset or relearn the throttle after TPS work?
If it’s ETCS‑i, use a scan tool to run the throttle/idle learn, or follow the factory warm‑up and idle stabilisation routine after clearing codes. For cable‑throttle cars, a relearn is usually not required, but the TPS needs to be set to the specified closed‑throttle voltage so idle and tip‑in are bang on.

Can a bad TPS cause harsh shifting?
Yes. The A340‑series ECT relies on accurate throttle angle for line pressure and shift scheduling. A flaky TPS can make it bang into gears, flare, or hunt. Fixing the TPS signal typically restores smooth, sensible shifts.