Electronic Throttle Control Light Activated

[jwskrintney]

I am currently out of town with my 37' travel trailer in tow. 2 miles from the RV park my check engine light and flashing electronic throttle control lights activated. The truck is stalling or going into "limp mode". I limped to the RV park but now I am stuck. I assumed it was the throttle position sensor but after checking several parts stores I could not locate one for my truck. I called the local Ram dealership and was informed that the 2012 3500 does not have a TPS. Still waiting on the dealership to call back with a suggestion as to what it might be. Any help would be greatly appreciated.....this is a real pickle.

 

[jwskrintney]

I am currently out of town with my 37' travel trailer in tow. 2 miles from the RV park my check engine light and flashing electronic throttle control lights activated. The truck is stalling or going into "limp mode". I limped to the RV park but now I am stuck. I assumed it was the throttle position sensor but after checking several parts stores I could not locate one for my truck. I called the local Ram dealership and was informed that the 2012 3500 does not have a TPS. Still waiting on the dealership to call back with a suggestion as to what it might be. Any help would be greatly appreciated.....this is a real pickle.

I am currently located in Convent, Louisiana. Does anyone know of a good diesel mechanic in the area that could help with this problem? I am stranded here and have to get home in the next few days.

 

[Wiredawg]

Your TPS is likely going bad. I'm trying to remember resync procedure, but I think you unplug it wait 5 minutes, turn ignition to run without starting, slowly depress all the way to the floor, then slowly back, turn off ignition, then restart it and see if it resynced. If so drive home and immediately order one. If this is first time good chance you can resync a couple more times before it fails completely.

COULD ALso be called APPS automated pedal position sensor.

Hope this helps.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Ozymandias]

Like said, it is the whole pedal assembly that has to be changed.
You can do it easily by yourself.
Go to the nearest Autozone, NAPA, whatever and get it within 24h if not from the shelf.

APPS or TPS, both terms are used for it.

 

[Wiredawg]

Yep, what Ozy said. This is a different APPS than my 2002 and 2003 that had the APPS mounted by the front drivers side of the engine. If you're just bored with nothing to do, try the procedure I recommended to see if it works. Although different locations and different locations, might still be that copper ribbon used that wears on the lower end. What happens the is a spot that has worn and if it loses signal long enough, it loses sync entirely and must be recalibrated.

Nothing to lose trying, and if it works it still needs replacing.

Cheers, Ron

 

[cerberusiam]

The reason they could not find it is becasue it really doesn't have a TPS, has been called an APPS for 32 years and the parts guy on the phone did you no favors. Tell them i tis the pedal on the right that makes it go ZOOM and maybe the light bulb will light for them.

That said the APPS in these new trucks are pretty robust with few failures, they are like the ECM's they rarely fail without some outside influence. That could be bad batteries or squirrels and wolf rats making nests under the hood. Check every thing over looking for bad wires, check your battery charge, and try the reset.

 

[jwskrintney]

Ron,

Bless your heart for the advice and thank you for your service to our great country!! The resync procedure appears to have worked and it looks like the local auto parts house has a new APPS in stock. Going parts shopping shortly.

 

[Wiredawg]

Ron,

Bless your heart for the advice and thank you for your service to our great country!! The resync procedure appears to have worked and it looks like the local auto parts house has a new APPS in stock. Going parts shopping shortly.

You're very welcome... When mine first happened, I was at a border with Mexico town on a Sunday in 2004. I was at a redlight when mine went dead pedal, but the MIGHTY Cummins pulled 18K fiver at idle and in grandma 6spd into right turn down the street and another right turn into a parking lot. My keen wits and recollection of seeing same thang posted in the TDR, was able to resync it and git home about 170miles. Back then no aftermarket I was aware of, so spent $400, a discount, and replaced it. I surgically disassembled the old one and found a micro thin copper looking strip that had worn on the bottom, where it gets the most use.

Glad I could help, good luck with your trip, and be safe, Ron

 

[jwskrintney]

Well....unfortunately I took my victory lap too soon. Would have replied sooner but the internet at the RV park I was at turned out to be less than reliable....the park was great otherwise. Any way, replaced APPS but no luck. Finally ended up having the truck towed to the closest dealership. They determined that the crankshaft position sensor was dropping out and replaced it. No Luck!!!...Grrrr. Further testing determined that the main "brain" computer module was fried. Some $4,800.00 and change later, my truck is back on the road and I was able to make it home......worst vehicle nightmare of my entire life!!

 

[Wiredawg]

Well....unfortunately I took my victory lap too soon. Would have replied sooner but the internet at the RV park I was at turned out to be less than reliable....the park was great otherwise. Any way, replaced APPS but no luck. Finally ended up having the truck towed to the closest dealership. They determined that the crankshaft position sensor was dropping out and replaced it. No Luck!!!...Grrrr. Further testing determined that the main "brain" computer module was fried. Some $4,800.00 and change later, my truck is back on the road and I was able to make it home......worst vehicle nightmare of my entire life!!

JWS, Sorry to hear about your high costs and poor luck. Hope the truck gives you trouble free service from now on.

Best wishes, Ron

 

[cerberusiam]

Like I said APPS on the newer trucks are pretty robust, rare to see a failure. Even rarer to see a failure on an ECM without some type of contributory issue, these Cummins ECM's don't just fail for no reason. Every other module in the trucks will fail at any time but rarely does the ECM fail. Hope the dealer found the real problem not just the easiest to fix as they wont to do.