Saturn S Series Sedan SL, SL1, and SL2

2001 SL1 Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) replacement

Old Aug 14, 2025 | 01:11 PM
  #1  
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Question 2001 SL1 Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) replacement

I need to buy a TPS for a 2001 SL1. RockAuto has a "Famous Brand." Can I trust that or is the NTK the best of the lot shown below? I looked for ACDelco but found none.

ULTRA-POWER TH387 Info $12.36
BWD/NIEHOFF EC3343 Info [Wholesaler Closeout -- 30 Day Warranty] $16.19
HOLSTEIN 2TPS0214 Info $25.79
NTK TH0221 Info $31.79
FAMOUS BRAND ECC1092 Info [Wholesaler Closeout -- 30 Day Warranty] $32.79

PartsGeek has a Walker brand, too. So I'm wondering about the quality of the NTK and Walker. What say you? Thank you.
 
Old Aug 14, 2025 | 04:36 PM
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You must have an older one that is just a rheostat. Can't say which is best in the AF we buy OEM.
 
Old Aug 15, 2025 | 08:45 AM
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Ultra-Power" is not a single manufacturer but rather a brand for automotive parts. It appears to be a private label brand, often sold by large online retailers like RockAuto.
The parts under the Ultra-Power brand come from a variety of sources, including:
* Re-packaged, well-known brands: This means that some parts might be made by a reputable manufacturer (like Moog or AC Delco, as mentioned in a forum discussion) but are sold under the Ultra-Power label.
* Surplus and closeout inventory: Ultra-Power is also described as a wholesale liquidator, buying surplus parts and selling them.
* ISO/TSO/QS certified overseas factories: The brand sources parts from factories that meet international quality standards.
Essentially, Ultra-Power provides a more budget-friendly option by sourcing parts from different suppliers and keeping costs low

BWD is now owned by SMP, standard motor products. I have used some of their parts over the years with no problem in my S car, though at this point I have no idea which ones.

Holstein Parts, an aftermarket automotive sensor company, sources its parts from factories that also produce original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts

NTK is generally regarded as a high-quality manufacturer of automotive parts, particularly for their sensors. They are a brand of Niterra Co., Ltd., the same company that produces NGK spark plugs, which are also known for their quality.
Here's a summary of what makes NTK parts well-regarded:
* OEM Quality: NTK is an Original Equipment (OE) supplier for many car manufacturers worldwide, including major Japanese and American brands. This means their parts are often the same as, or meet the same strict standards as, the parts that came with your vehicle from the factory.
* Sensor Specialization: NTK is known as "The Sensor Specialist." They have a long history and strong reputation in manufacturing oxygen sensors, as well as a range of other sensors for vehicle systems like position, pressure, and speed.
* Positive Customer Reviews: User reviews on various automotive parts websites frequently praise NTK parts for their quality, perfect fit, and ability to solve problems after other aftermarket brands have failed. Many users mention that NTK parts work "just like factory" and are a reliable, effective replacement.

Famous Brand" is often used as a generic label for an unnamed manufacturer's parts, and the quality can vary. Some buyers report receiving high-quality, name-brand parts, while others receive lower-quality, generic ones. Personally I have never purchased anything labeled Famous Brand, and it sounds like it's a luck of the draw in some sense.

Above information from the Gemini app on my Android phone.

NTK seems like the logical choice. You could roll the dice with one of the private label or surplus parts labels, but that's up to you.

The absurd amount of detail provided is good general information that, while answering your question, I figured it would probably be good in a sticky.

Not responsible for **** parts you receive that don't work with your vehicle. Please report back as to which sensor you chose and whether it functions as advertised in your vehicle. You will be doing a great service to other S car owners, including me. My TPS is 30 years old
 
Old Aug 15, 2025 | 03:32 PM
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I ordered the NTK from RKA, uh, RockAuto. Registration runs out in three days, RockAuto promised to get me my TPS in five. You see the problem. ;-)

I'll report later as requested.
 
Old Aug 20, 2025 | 04:54 PM
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Immediately after replacing the NTK throttle position sensor (TPS) one more smog check was completed by the car's computer. So it looks like it's the wise choice to buy the device with the higher cost which comes from its QC and superior manufacturing processes. I passed smog and now I'm off to other problems… :-P
 
Old Aug 20, 2025 | 09:56 PM
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Good news!
 
Old Aug 21, 2025 | 07:18 AM
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Cool,
 
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