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Car is not shifting right and Honda dealer says code for "throttle positioner failure" is showing up. They say I have to replace "throttle body" for $475, anyone know what a throttle body is and if this may cause it to not shift right? The RPM gets really high before the next gear kicks in.































Says transmission seems to be okay.















Would someone who can't even change their own oil be able to do this? I have no clue about cars.































It is automatic and it runs well except the shifting gears problem.

 
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they are referring to the TPS, or throttle position sensor, which is an electrical sensor located on the side of the throttle blade shaft. your throttle body is the inlet into the intake manifold form your air intake tube. the throttle blade is actuated by the throttle cable, which is what you pull when you press the gas. the TPS tells the engine computer how open the throttle blade is so it can properly trim the fuel tables and ignition timing, as well as determine engine load, which is used to tell the transmission when to shift among other functions. your car is an automatic, correct?















you can replace the TPS sensor by simply unscrewing the old one, and replacing it with a new one, making sure that it is inserted exactly like the old one was.















if you don't feel comfortable changing the electrical sensor, you can go on ebay, or easier, a local junk yard/auto recycler (check the yellow pages) and find a stock 2002 civic throttle body for your size engine very easily, as many people change them to aftermarket throttle bodies. should you go this route, and decide to replace your entire throttle body with a sued replacement, make sure you buy the gasket for it as well, go to a NAPA, Discount auto, or pep boys and buy it. also, take a picture of your stock throttle body and note all of the sensor plugs, vacuum line, and cable hook ups to it as well. does your car drive normally besides it shifting late? if the TPS had failed, your car should run erratically, and stutter... because the computer would not know the true position of your throttle body, and hence the amount of airflow the engine is recieving...