Parts for your 2006 Holden Commodore-Throttle position sensors

2006 Holden Commodore throttle position sensors (TPS)

Based on Holden/GM Service Information for the VZ and VE series (Powertrain Controls – Electronic Throttle Control/TAC), the 2006 Commodore uses an electronic throttle body that houses dual throttle position sensors. This layout is also described in Max Ellery’s Holden Commodore VE 2006–2017 Service & Repair Manual and aligns with Bosch’s drive-by-wire design guidance featuring redundant TPS tracks. So yes, a throttle position sensor is relevant and fitted to the 2006 Holden Commodore—integrated into the electronic throttle body rather than as a separate, standalone sensor.

On the 2006 Holden Commodore, the throttle position sensors tell the engine computer exactly how far the throttle blade is open. With drive-by-wire, there’s no throttle cable, the ECM uses the TPS signals alongside the accelerator pedal sensors to position the throttle motor precisely. That means smooth response, stable idle and the right fuel/air mix under all loads. Holden fitted dual (redundant) TPS tracks inside the throttle body for safety—if one track disagrees, the system can flag a fault and drop into reduced-power to protect the engine and driver.

Because the TPS is part of the throttle body on VZ/VE, maintenance is mostly about keeping the throttle clean and the wiring healthy. During scheduled servicing, it’s worth:

• Scanning for fault codes (P0121–P0123, P0220–P0223, P2135 and similar) if there’s a check engine light, rough idle, surging, or limp mode.
• Inspecting the connector and loom for corrosion, oil wicking or broken clips, and confirming a solid 5 V reference and good earth.
• Cleaning the throttle plate and bore with proper throttle body cleaner if there’s sticking or a dirty ridge, then performing a throttle/idle relearn with a scan tool (Tech 2/GDS) where required.

If the TPS tracks are faulty, the usual fix is to replace the complete throttle body assembly, as the sensors aren’t designed to be serviced separately on these models. Choose quality OEM-equivalent parts and new gasket/O-ring if specified. Fitment is straightforward for a competent home mechanic: disconnect the battery, relieve intake plumbing, swap the unit, torque fasteners to the factory spec, reconnect and carry out a relearn so the ECM can re-teach closed and open positions. A quick road test (and live-data check for TPS agreement between the two tracks) confirms all is behaving. For high-kilometre cars, inspecting and cleaning every 40–60,000 km helps keep throttle response crisp and avoids nuisance faults.

Popular questions

Does a 2006 Holden Commodore actually have a TPS?
Yes. The 2006 VZ and early VE Commodores use an electronic throttle body with dual built-in throttle position sensors. They’re not a separate bolt-on sensor, they’re integrated into the throttle body along with the throttle motor.

Can the TPS be replaced on its own, or does the whole throttle body need changing?
On most 2006 Commodores, the TPS isn’t serviceable as a separate part. If the TPS tracks fail or go out of correlation, the reliable repair is to replace the complete throttle body and then perform a throttle/idle relearn.

How often should the throttle body/TPS be serviced?
There’s no fixed interval for the sensor itself, but it’s smart to inspect the wiring and clean the throttle body every 40–60,000 km, or whenever there’s sticky throttle, unstable idle, or fault codes related to throttle position.