How do you fix TPS problem: RPM surging

[Mighty Thor]

My 3rd gen bird has TPS sensor that is only less than a year old and already it's having problem again.

When put in park or neutral the idling rpm surges to 1800 to 2100 rpm. I would unplug and replug and rev it and the problem would temporarily go away. Then a couple of driving around the block it tends to come back.

What do I need to do to fix this? Do I need a new sensor again? Do I need to adjust the TB plate? Do I need to check voltage? Any suggestions would be great.

Thanks

[3.4 slow to go]

sounds more like your idle air valve thing, big black sensor on top left (looking at your) tb.

what codes if any?

[Mighty Thor]

You think it might be that one. I need to take it to Pep Boys then and have the code read.

[HeadyFirebird'00]

thats easy without taking it to pep boys. get a paper clip. fold it into a U. smash the end tips flat. then insert the two ends it the dash control diagnostics under the sterring wheel. put it into the two top right holes and turn the key on to accs. BUT DO NOT TRY TO START THE CAR IT IS BAD! the SES light will flash and give you the codes. if you do not know how to read to codes ask me.

[Jerriko]

Originally posted by HeadyFirebird'00:
thats easy without taking it to pep boys. get a paper clip. fold it into a U. smash the end tips flat. then insert the two ends it the dash control diagnostics under the sterring wheel. put it into the two top right holes and turn the key on to accs. BUT DO NOT TRY TO START THE CAR IT IS BAD! the SES light will flash and give you the codes. if you do not know how to read to codes ask me.

Yes, what he said. The problem that your car is having has nothing to do with the TPS. When you unplug it, it sends the ECM into LIMP mode. The same thing should happen if you unplug the O2 sensor. That makes the ECM ignore ALL inputs and run off of a preset group of inputs programmed into the ecm. Once the ECM reads another signal from the TPS, the ECM drops out of LIMP mode (this does take a couple cycles). Sounds like the IAC to me.

[Mighty Thor]

Oh OK, thanks guys. I will give that a shot and see if I could bring up the code.

[bobrules]

Its the IAC (Idle air control motor).

[Jeanda]

quote:
"Once the ECM reads another signal from the TPS, the ECM drops out of LIMP mode (this does take a couple cycles). "

Does the ECM read another signal from the TPS on its own, or is there something you have to do to activate the ECM to read another signal(to drop out of "limp-mode"?

[Jerriko]

The ecm is always looking for all of the input signals (TPS, O2, etc). When one of those inputs are removed, the ecm falls back on the LIMP mode programming. If the computer goes into LIMP mode, to get it out of limp mode you have to figure which input is faulty and fix it. Once the faulty input is again 'read' by the ecm, it will go back to normal. Granted, the amount of time may vary when the ecm goes from limp to normal.

[Jeanda]

:cool: THANKS