Throttle position sensor

[JMcCaig]

Dear friends,



I've been lurking here and new to the forum. Thanks for all the great advice and general information.



My '92 recently had the automatic transmission rebuilt and heavied up. Now the overdrive is acting up, constantly downshifting in the range of 40-50 mph. I'm told it needs a new throttle position sensor and that it might run as much as $200-$600 (ouch!).



Could anyone suggest a supplier that might give a fair price? I've found that the dealers in this area (South Jersey) are merciless and usually must order and many independent parts suppliers don't bother to inventory parts for the older diesels.



Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks and warm regards, James

 

[JMcCaig]

oops, excuse the typo, my truck is a '93, if that makes any difference.

 

[Loren]

James,



It should cost around $200, max. I think you have to buy it from the dealer. I got one from Batesville Dodge in Batesville, IN at a good price. Their number is 800-923-0090. The parts guy I talk to most is Scott.



In my case, I discovered that I didn't need to change mine after all. While reading about how to change it in the service manual, I discovered there is a procedure for adjusting it. Mine just needed adjustment, not replacement. Good deal for me. Maybe yours is the same.



Also, before you spend the big bucks for a replacement, try spraying inside yours with contact cleaner. Some drivers have had good luck with that. I'm sure it's not easy to get the spray inside, but it's worth the try.



Good luck.



Loren

 

[JMcCaig]

Loren,



thanks for the prompt reply. I wondered about the idea of cleaning it, it must be just a rheostat of some kind, especially since it is acting up only at certain speeds. I will look into it and report back when we get some decent weather. Just now we expect snow and some 4x4 conditions, so won't need too much overdrive.



warm regards, James

 

[TKilgore]

I'm not sure about the '93 but it might be normal for it to shift in and out of OD at that speed. I keep mine turned off unless I'm consistantly over 60 mph.



Maybe someone with more transmission knowledge will jump in.



Tom

 

[JMcCaig]

Thanks Tom,



I ordered the throttle position indicator and will see what that does. I really appreciate the help. Warm regards, James

 

[HBarlow]

You are probably close to a discount MOPAR parts dealer. A TDR member told me about a Dodge dealer in Tennafly(sp?) NJ. I contacted them via their website and got a price quote that was lower than anyone else I found. As it turned out I didn't have to buy the APPS, it was replaced under warranty, but the Tennafly NJ dealer parts department quoted me an excellent price.



Harvey

 

[JMcCaig]

Thanks Harvey,



I put them in my rolodex for the future. they are actually very near to New York, at the northern end of the state. UPS could care less



Warm regards, James

 

[jimk]

Originally posted by JMcCaig

Loren,



thanks for the prompt reply. I wondered about the idea of cleaning it, it must be just a rheostat of some kind, especially since it is acting up only at certain speeds. I will look into it and report back when we get some decent weather. Just now we expect snow and some 4x4 conditions, so won't need too much overdrive.



warm regards, James

I talked to a guy how has bought several over the last few years and he did not know that you could clean them. I think that he had a couple on his dash. He tried the contact cleaner and he was happy with the results. I have thought that the blow down tube may contribute to the problem. I personally have cleaned mine several times as I dont intend to spend a penny on a tps switch. Jim

 

[Lordsman]

Unscrew it and clean with electric contact cleaner. Put it back together and it ought to work fine. Mine needs cleaning about once a year or every 15k miles.

 

[barkerdl]

Call your nearest Cummins dealer. Have the engine code number from the sticker on the drivers side front of the truck when you call. They still stock TPS and are way less than dealers - better parts as well. Many will ship for small fee.



Dennis

 

[JMcCaig]

Dear friends,



Thanks for all the great help. The new TPS did straighten out the problem and shifting is smooth as silk into overdrive.



It was a very positive experience dealing with Pete Marruci of Linden Transmission in South Jersey and i would highly commend them to all on the list. 856-728-0204.



Pete also clued me in about the TDR, so he was doubly helpful and i look forward to more of your collective wisdom in months to come.

 

[Challenger-II]

TPS Cleaning... ... could someone explain in more detail about cleaning the TPS? Exactly where is it and how do you get into it?



Thanks for any help

 

[JMcCaig]

my TPS appeared to be sealed and there was no way to get into it for cleaning. The replacement was the same. Maybe mine had already been replaced by the previous owner. The unit sits atop the fuel injection and only has 2 screws holding it, so it is a one minute job to pull it and see if it could be cleaned.



Warm regards, James

 

[JMcCaig]

the TPS sits atop the fuel injector and has a small wiring harness connected to it. it is fastened by 2 screws (at least on my '93)

warm regards, James

Originally posted by Challenger-II

TPS Cleaning... ... could someone explain in more detail about cleaning the TPS? Exactly where is it and how do you get into it?



Thanks for any help

 

[mstimac]

Your right the TPS is sealed, but, take a dremel tool and cut around the raised area on the back and pull then cover off. You can then disassemble the wiper arm and clean everything real good. Put grease on the bushing and dielcetric grease on the wiper arm and reassemble. I used Marine 5200 sealant on mine. I did this about 50,000 miles ago and have not had a single problem since. If you intend on changing it, then you have nothing to lose by taking it apart and giving it a try. If ya do a search on "TPS cleaning" theres a post about a year or so ago that gives pictices and step by step instructions. L8tr, Mike

 

[shendren]

i have a tps rewire kit that will fix the problem. no more new tps's... . email me -- email address removed --

 

[Bob4x4]

shrendon,Replacing the wiring will not fix a failed sensor or one that is out of adjustment. Please be kind to the new members that have not seen all the old posts. They may need guidance not hard sell.



Bob

 

[JMcCaig]

I'm certainly no expert, but there does not seem to be any adjustment available for this part. It is a potentiometer that can only be set in one way. Having seen it, it seems to be grossly overpriced to me and it seems many of the parts available for the older diesels are priced that way.



I also have an older Mercedes ('81 300sd) and there are many sources of supply for needed parts and often they are very competitively priced. I am still looking for such a supplier for the stuff I need for my '93 Dodge/Cummins. There must be a good source for such items as filters, etc. Any suggestions?



Thanks and warm regards, James

 

[Bob4x4]

James,there is an adjustment on the 93. 10 mm wrench under the mount of the tps. If you get a light on it you will see the flats. Easy does it, a small amount of movement will make a large voltage change. You want it @ 1. 0volts. If you have any other questions pm me.



Bob