03 throttle position sensor?

[chwhit]

I was on my way home from work today, I was going about 65 mph, layed into the throttle and when I hit about 75 mph the pedal went dead for about two seconds, had nothin, then I still had my foot in the throttle and the fuel kicked back in. I've had this happen to me before but I wasn't going fast (maybe four months ago), this was before I had the edge juice on it. Also when I am leaving a stop light sometimes it feels like I am giving the truck twice as much throttle as I am, others maybe half of the throttle I am. I know the truck has the anti stall feature, so I don't know if it is because of this or if it could be related to the first problem, sounds to me like it could maybe be the tps going bad. Any help would be appreciated, if it is bad I need to get it fixed so I don't get stranded somewhere. Thanks, Carter.

 

[rbattelle]

Where's your throttle position sensor located? On the intake manifold, or under the battery?

The one on the manifold is a very early design; a potentiometer. The one under the battery is a hall effect sensor (which I think is more reliable).

Either way, I agree with you that it could be the TPS.

Ryan

 

[Prairie Dog]

Sorry but I have to have a Cliff Claven moment here ~ I think they call the TPS an APPS now (accelerator pedal position sensor).



Cliff er, Scotty

 

[betterthanstock]

I would think you would get a code if the TPS /APPS is worn out.



I know that my 03 is load sensitive. If I drive in slow traffic, it is sluggish until it wakes up the computer (one hard acceleration, sometimes I have to repeatedly stab the throttle to wake it up). If I just towed something, it is a rocket for a few start cycles afterward. The computer is programmed to minimize the feel between empty and loaded (i. e. to prevent you from accelerating too fast while empty, which the lawyers would not like/or would/ depending on whom they represent). This is now even true of the semis. They even have patents on various ways of smoothing the illusion to the driver, so that it feels about the same empty or loaded.



I wish they would let us have full acceleration (and tire spin) when empty, and just supply a switch for low traction situations, when we want slow response.

It also has more power if you don't step on the throttle all at once, but do it gradually. (again the liability lawyers don't want the truck to jump off in a parking lot and kill someone, when some little old lady mistakes the throttle for the brakes)

 

[chwhit]

Yea, it just seems weird to me, I've driven my buddies 05 6 speed and it drives totally different, I know that it is a completely different truck computer wise and he has an edge EZ but I just wish that mine would drive like his all the time. My 03 has what I have been told is a program for emissions that when you rev it past say 2100 rpms, when you press the clutch it will stay revved for a second or two before coming down, that just kind of pisses me off, I wish I could get that programming erased. Does anyone know if we can some how get these erased, we don't have emission checks where I am, I just want a truck that is extremely comfortable to drive without these little electronic kinks..... starting to wish I had bought a 12 valve.

 

[betterthanstock]

Yea, it just seems weird to me, I've driven my buddies 05 6 speed and it drives totally different, I know that it is a completely different truck computer wise and he has an edge EZ but I just wish that mine would drive like his all the time. My 03 has what I have been told is a program for emissions that when you rev it past say 2100 rpms, when you press the clutch it will stay revved for a second or two before coming down, that just kind of pisses me off, I wish I could get that programming erased. Does anyone know if we can some how get these erased, we don't have emission checks where I am, I just want a truck that is extremely comfortable to drive without these little electronic kinks..... starting to wish I had bought a 12 valve.

I read people say diablo predator is the smoothest programmer out there.

I reccomended it to one of my friends (an 06) and he is very happy with it so far. I may decide to try one out myself, but with my bigger injectors, I will probably start to slip the stock clutch, and my turbo is maxed out too. $$$$$

 

[betterthanstock]

I've also tested a van aaken 3. 2 on my 03, and throttle response was excellent, very linear, the more you press, the stronger it goes. I did'n like its price, and it scared me for what it could do to the truck on the high setting. I stepped on it at 70 mph, and it jerked like you had cut off the ignition for a second. I hear other people say that's typical for the VA around 2200 rpm to have an interruption.

 

[Prairie Dog]

My 03 has what I have been told is a program for emissions that when you rev it past say 2100 rpms, when you press the clutch it will stay revved for a second or two before coming down, that just kind of pisses me off, I wish I could get that programming erased. Does anyone know if we can some how get these erased, we don't have emission checks where I am, I just want a truck that is extremely comfortable to drive without these little electronic kinks..... starting to wish I had bought a 12 valve.

I noticed mine got better when I got the latest s/w update. It hasnt stopped it all together but it's much better. It still does it a little in 1st and 2nd but not at all beyond that.



Scotty

 

[JStieger]

The one on the manifold is a very early design; a potentiometer. The one under the battery is a hall effect sensor (which I think is more reliable).

Are the APPS interchangeable? I wouldn't mind having the under battery one to clear up some space on the intake manifold.

 

[rbattelle]

Are the APPS interchangeable? I wouldn't mind having the under battery one to clear up some space on the intake manifold.

I'd say "probably", but not necessarily. You'd need a new throttle cable, and I'm not sure whether the pedal would also need to be changed.

An interesting thought, however. Expensive to test, unless you can cannibalize a junk yard truck.

Ryan

 

[Pawpaw]

I don't know how to tell where mine is located and apparently some early 04's have it mounted on the manifold.



I'd sure like to see a picture of a manifold mounted sensor so I could "stare & compare".



Bob

 

[rbattelle]

I don't know how to tell where mine is located and apparently some early 04's have it mounted on the manifold.

I'd sure like to see a picture of a manifold mounted sensor so I could "stare & compare".

As far as I know, only very early (built before January 2003) trucks have the manifold mounted APPS. If you had one, you'd definitely know it. It's a very large box with a cable running to it that sits right in front of the intake horn. Can't miss it. It's very large.



If it's not there, it's under the battery. Try tracing the throttle cable from where it leaves the firewall... lead you right to it.



Ryan

 

[Pawpaw]

Thanks Ryan. I'll give that a try.



I've been toying with the idea of the GDP filter kit, but really don't want to mount the filter under the truck. They have a mount for trucks without the engine mounted APPS only. Apparently those are my only two options (I have no way to fab a mount).



Bob

 

[Pawpaw]

Well, I feel foolish (nothing new there).



Looking again at the GDP site, I found they have pics to help dummies like me figure out where our APPS is mounted.



http://www.glacierdieselpower.com/product.asp?pf_id=MK20306-BLK



My early '04 (built 09/03 according to the door sticker) has it on the engine.



Bob

 

[rbattelle]

Well, I feel foolish (nothing new there).



Looking again at the GDP site, I found they have pics to help dummies like me figure out where our APPS is mounted.



http://www.glacierdieselpower.com/product.asp?pf_id=MK20306-BLK



My early '04 (built 09/03 according to the door sticker) has it on the engine.



Bob

Wow, that is crazy. My truck is built 2/28/03 and it has the under-battery APPS. Could it be an auto/manual thing? Autos had them on the intake horn until much later?



Ryan

 

[Pawpaw]

I hadn't thought about it, but that is possible.



Remember before the 04. 5's came out, trucks with the auto transmission had a little electric vacuum pump to operate the cruise control.



I wonder if that necessitated the engine-mounted APPS?



Bob

 

[rbattelle]

I wonder if that necessitated the engine-mounted APPS?

That would make sense. A shame, really, for the automatic owners. I know I've used the space on the intake manifold for a fuel filter. Not sure what I would do if the APPS were there.



I'd probably be pressed to pull the passenger side battery and mount the filter in its place. Replace the driver side battery with a MONSTER.



Ryan