Throttle position sensor

The invention relates to a throttle position sensor (40) for a throttle having a movable throttle element (24). The sensor (40) includes an elongated electrically resistive strip (12) having a first (14) and second (16) end. The first end (14) of the strip is connected to a first voltage potential while the second end (16) is electrically connected to a second voltage potential different from the first end (14). An electrically conductive wiper (20) is in sliding contact with the resistive strip (12). The wiper (20) and resistive strip (12) are relative to each other and one of the wiper (20) or resistive strip (12) is connected to the movable throttle element (24). Consequently, the position of the wiper (20) relative to the strip (12) varies proportionally with the position of the throttle element (24) so that a voltage output from the wiper (20) varies proportionally with the position of the movable throttle element (24). A circuit is associated with the sensor (40) which determines the contact resistance between the wiper (20) and the strip (12).