I am just about to go replace my TPS and I know that it is hard to get to as you can't really fit anything between the tps and the firewall. My question, does the throttle body need to be taken off the intake manifold to gain enough access to replace the TPS? Or can it be done without removing it?

 

Um? You still drive the S4 FC, correct? It's PIE....or CAKE...whichever you prefer, and assuming you're not diabetic.

The TPS is at the front of the throttle body...It's a little black drum sensor, held on by two 10mm bolts and has one harness coming out of it.

Pop your hood, stand at the passenger side and look at the throttle body, you can't miss it. Here's a pic of mine...my finger is pointing at the TPS.



Remove those two 10mm bolts, place them to the side and the TPS pretty much falls off. Then disconnect it's harness. You're done.

Don't forget, that the TPS Drum (The sensor part that moves) is touching something...so remember that when you put it back on...replacing the TPS takes maybe five minutes.

*NOTE* The TPS is not on the back, near the firewall...
*Another Note* Sorry... To answer your actual question, no, you don't have to remove the Throttle Body at all. Again, replacing the TPS takes about five minutes.

 

Hmm perhaps there's some misunderstanding. The part that I am trying to replace I can see is at the back. I think I am meaning the wax....the part that extends when the engine reaches a certain coolant temperature. Does replacing the wax do anything. I was told mine doesn't work. What are some symptoms that the wax doesn't work? I mean if it ain't broke don't fix it...I was just told mine don't work.

 

That, I do not know. You might be talking about that thermowax crap or the thermostat?

 

I'm meaning the thermowax....my apologies

 

My thermowax (an S5 (dunno if there is a difference from S4)) is held on by three screws..probably easiest to remove if u pull the throttle body off..which isnt too big of a deal. If its not functioning I would guess (please no one yell at me for guessing ) that it wont disengage the high idle, leaving u with a 3K idle all the time.