Parts for your 2015 Ford Territory-Throttle position sensors

2015 Ford Territory throttle position sensors: what they do and when to service them

Yes, a throttle position sensor (TPS) is relevant and used on the 2015 Ford Territory SZ MkII. On the 4.0L petrol, the TPS is built into the electronic throttle body, on the 2.7L TDCi diesel, an intake throttle/anti‑shudder valve with an integral position sensor is fitted to manage EGR flow and smooth shutdown. This is documented in the Ford Territory SZ MkII Workshop Manual (2014–2016) — Section 303‑14 Electronic Engine Controls for the petrol, and Fuel Charging and Controls for the diesel — and shown in the Ford wiring diagrams (Powertrain Controls/Cell 30) as dual TP circuits (TP1/TP2) alongside the accelerator pedal position (APP1/APP2). Ford’s parts catalogue for SZ MkII also lists the throttle body/actuator as a single serviced assembly with the position sensor integrated.

What does the TPS actually do? On the petrol Barra, the PCM needs the throttle plate angle to control engine load, spark timing, fuel delivery and even auto shift quality. The throttle body uses dual tracks for redundancy, so if one disagrees with the other you’ll get a fault and often limp mode. On the diesel, the intake throttle position is crucial for EGR accuracy and a tidy engine shutdown. Either way, a flaky TPS can cause rough idle, hesitation, hunting revs, hard shifts or a lack of power, and will usually log codes like P0120–P0124 or related correlation faults.

For servicing, the TPS itself isn’t a separate, adjustable item — it’s part of the throttle/actuator assembly. The smart move is to keep the throttle bore clean (petrol especially). Remove the intake duct and gently clean carbon from the throttle plate and bore using throttle body cleaner, avoiding drowning the sensor/connector. On diesel, check the intake throttle/EGR mixer area for soot build‑up and sticky movement. Always inspect the connector for corrosion and broken pins, and confirm battery/charging health — low system voltage can mimic TPS dramas.

If replacement is needed, fit a quality throttle body/actuator assembly with a new gasket, and torque to spec per the WSM. After installation, perform an idle/throttle learn. The PCM will usually auto‑learn after a key‑on cycle and a few minutes at idle, but a scan tool “ETC/TPS relearn” function is best practice. Clear codes, road test, and watch live data for steady, matching TP1/TP2 signals. For the diesel, confirm smooth commanded versus actual throttle position during EGR events. That’s a tidy, Aussie workshop way to keep a Territory happy.

• Common symptoms: erratic idle, limp mode, delayed kick‑down, surging, EML on.
• Key checks: clean throttle, good earths, sound connector, scan TP1/TP2 and APP data.
• No manual adjustment, replace the assembly and complete a relearn.

Popular questions about 2015 Ford Territory throttle position sensors

Where is the TPS on a 2015 Ford Territory?
On the 4.0L petrol, it’s integrated into the electronic throttle body mounted on the intake near the front of the engine. On the 2.7L TDCi, it’s part of the intake throttle/anti‑shudder actuator near the EGR mixer. There’s also an accelerator pedal position sensor under the dash, which is separate from the TPS.

Can the TPS be cleaned or adjusted?
The TPS isn’t serviceable or adjustable on these vehicles. You can clean the throttle bore and plate to prevent sticking, and you can clean the electrical connector with contact cleaner. If TPS faults persist, replace the throttle body/actuator assembly and carry out a throttle/idle relearn with a scan tool.

Do I need to calibrate the TPS after replacement?
The PCM will often relearn automatically after key‑on and a few minutes of idling, followed by a short drive. For best results, use a scan tool to run the ETC/TPS or idle learn routine, then verify TP1/TP2 and APP agreement in live data with no correlation codes returning.