Parts for your 2016 Nissan Pulsar-Throttle position sensors

2016 Nissan Pulsar Throttle Position Sensor (TPS)

Technical sources confirm the 2016 Nissan Pulsar does use a throttle position sensor. The Nissan C12 Pulsar/Sylphy Factory Service Manual (EC – Throttle Control System) specifies that the TPS is built into the electronic throttle control actuator (the throttle body) and is not serviced as a separate sensor. The accelerator pedal carries its own pedal position sensor. Related Nissan OBD-II DTCs (such as P0120–P0124) are defined for this system, and the Nissan parts catalog lists the throttle body as the replaceable assembly when the TPS inside it fails.

On the 2016 Pulsar, the throttle position sensor is part of the drive-by-wire setup. It constantly reports how far the throttle plate is open so the engine computer can match air, fuel and ignition for smooth running, decent power and good fuel economy. Working with the accelerator pedal position sensor, it helps deliver crisp throttle response and stable idle, and it’s central to features like cruise control and emissions management.

Because the TPS is integrated into the throttle body, replacement generally means swapping the whole throttle body assembly. After fitting, the engine control module needs a throttle/idle relearn (often called Throttle Valve Closed Position Learn and Idle Air Volume Learn). A capable scan tool is the tidy way to do it, some manual procedures exist but are fussy about timing, battery voltage and engine temperature.

Common signs of a crook TPS on a Pulsar include a check engine light, erratic idle, flat spots on acceleration, poor fuel economy, stalling at junctions or the car dropping into limp mode. Before condemning the throttle body, a good workshop will check for intake leaks, clean a gummed-up throttle plate, verify wiring integrity and confirm fault codes.

• Service tips:
  • Keep the throttle body clean with sensor-safe cleaner, avoid flooding the electronics.
  • If removing the throttle body, fit a new gasket and torque the fasteners evenly.
  • Maintain stable battery voltage during relearn, low volts can upset the procedure.
  • Inspect the accelerator pedal sensor and connector if codes point to correlation faults.
• Typical labour time: around 1 hour, plus relearn. Parts availability is good across AU and NZ.

Popular questions about 2016 Nissan Pulsar throttle position sensors

Does the 2016 Pulsar have a separate throttle position sensor?
It doesn’t. The TPS is built into the throttle body (throttle control actuator), so when the sensor fails the usual fix is to replace the throttle body assembly. The car also has a separate accelerator pedal position sensor on the pedal itself.

Is a relearn needed after throttle body replacement or cleaning?
Yes. The ECM needs a throttle and idle relearn so it knows the exact closed and open positions. A proper scan tool is the most reliable way to perform it. Skipping this step can leave the idle unstable or trigger fault codes.

What symptoms point to a failing TPS on a Pulsar?
Owners often notice a check engine light, sluggish or jerky acceleration, hunting idle, higher fuel use, or limp mode. If these show up, a code scan and a careful check of the throttle body, wiring and intake tract are the next steps.