I'm pretty sure the engine bay ones are built in to the throttle.

There are separate front-of-engine and throttle-mount sensors, but only on M3s.

 

Thanks for the reply. I had a feeling that was it but wanted to be sure. So the M56 has only 2 TPS, one in the pedal and one on the throttle

 

M56? Are you sure? I thought your car had the M54.

And,yes, the M54 has 2. One on the throttle body and one on the gas pedal.

The gas pedal has a potentiemoter (of sorts) that detects the position of your foot. The throttle body has a stepper motor that open according to the detected position of your foot.

If your foot presses down 10 "clicks" then the throttle motor opens 10 clicks. (There can be math involved to more finely regulate the position of the motor, but the idea remains the same even if the description is grossly oversimplified.)

What symptoms are you having that makes you ask about throttle sensors? If there is a code, it should define which of the sensors is the object of your desire. Knowing the object of your desire narrows the field of possible locations for it to be.

 

Unfortunately, I definitely have an M56. I had codes pointing to the TPS but not which one. I pulled the pedal and tested it with a ohm meter and I got .5 no matter what the position of the pedal , so I assume it is bad.

 

Unfortunately, I definitely have an M56.

Ooooooh, the dreaded SULEV! Man even the name sounds bad...

 

does anyone have a picture of the one in the engine bay?

Edit: it looks like it's built into the throttle body.

 

OP...if your getting a TPS code(s) make sure you check that the engine wiring harness plug to the TB is tight by wiggling and pushing on it. That will usually take care of the code(s). If that doesn't do the trick then you most likely will be replacing either the TB or Accelerator Pedal.

 

There's a TPS sensor in the throttle body itself, and the pedal position sensor in the gas pedal. But definitely check the harness before you go ordering anything to the tune of $500. Ask me how I know...

 

The pedal has 2 high precision potentiometers. Why 2? The DME is constantly checking and comparing the values from them. If there’s too great a difference the DME will throw a code.

OP, the TPS sensor is in the throttle body.

 

Maybe built-in redundancy - prevent failure?

Why replace the cable?

 

Can you reach that connector from underneath? Or does the upper and lower intake boot need to come off?

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