Per 1996 FSM...
"The TPS can be tested with a digital voltmeter. The centre terminal of the TPS is the output terminal.
"With the ignition key in the ON position, check the PTS output voltage at the centre terminal wire of the connector. Check this at idle (throttle plate closed) and at wide open throttle (WOT.) At idle, TPS output voltage must be greater than .2VDC (200mV.) At WOT, TPS output voltage must be less than 4.8VDC. The output voltage should increase gradually as the throttle plate is slowly opened from idle to WOT."
NOTE - If you're going to check TPS function, there are a couple of small things to keep in mind...
1) The sensor must be connected. This means backprobe pins or piercing the harness insulation. I've successfully used both straight pins and straightened paper clips for backprobe pins.
2) You're checking a variable voltage, and most digital voltmeters/multimeters (DVM/DMM) have inbuilt buffer circuits - which means that respons will lag a bit - and be jumpy. This is one of those tests where you're better off having an analogue ("sweep") multimeter/voltmeter, since there're no buffer circuits, and you'll see the response more clearly. "Flat Spots" typically happen at cruise RPM, or "part-throttle," so run very slowly. You need not have the engine running - but you DO need to have the key turned ON for this to work.
PINOUT -
Terminal 1 (VIO/WHT) is the +5VDC supply to the TPS from PCM pin A17
Terminal 2 (ORG/DkBLU) is the TPS signal to PCM pin A23
Terminal 3 (BLK/LtBLU) is the TPS ground to the main sensor ground. This is spliced into the ground near the fuel rail, between injectors #3 and #4.
Terminal 2 (ORG/DkBLU) also gets spliced into the TCU pin D2, for automatics.
Looking into the harness connector from the "pin" end with the retaining latch held UP, the pins are 1 through 3 going from RIGHT to LEFT. Looking in from the "wire" end, therefore, they'll be 1 through 3 going from LEFT to RIGHT.
Again, an analogue ("sweep needle") voltmeter is preferred for this test, as it will give a more accurate and effective picture of TPS function and a smoother display.
5-90