TPS on National Backorder?

[n_fairchild]

Called local Napa today and tried to order a Throttle Position Sensor, they said they could get it, $152, i needed it so they ordered it for me. They called back not ten minutes later and said it is on national backorder and they didnt know how long it would be. Ended up getting one from Cummins dealer for the same price but i will probably have to wait a day or two longer. Until then is there any way to clean the old one better or bypass it so i dont have to use my mystery switch to drive?

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95 3/4 ton, 4x4, Auto, 235 plate, K&N, straight through exhaust, wastgate mods, more to come, 108,000mi and still going strong

 

[Andy Redmond]

some members swear by brake clean/contact cleaner in the weep holes on the back side.

A temp. fix IMHO, likely a intermittant dead spot that can be fully correct by the new tps.

As far as disabling, don't do this your transmission receives signals for shifts/lockup etc. in relation to throttle position.

 

[danandamy]

It's true, they are on backorder. I went to order one at work the other day and discoverd the awful truth. Hosed my old TPS out real good with quick dry electric cleaner and she's ok again for now. I'm going to try and make it last until they come off back order, since I get my parts at cost #ad


Daniel

 

[MikeR]

My truck needs one too,but I just have been too lazy to order one up. I've been able to avoid buying one by tapping on the TPS with a small hammer whenever it starts acting up. This give me 3 or 4 days til it acts up again,then just beat on it again with the hammer. #ad


-Mike

 

[FParisi]

I had the same problem and got by for about 40000 mi by using electrical sray cleaner. Somtimes it would last 2-3 months.

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95 Blue 2500 4x4,3. 54,33x12. 5x16. 5 tires,catless,BD trans. cooler,Pacbrake,gauges-trans. temp,boost, pyro;high power cam plate ?Bosch?slid forward,afc adjusted some
96 Alfa SeeYa 30RK

 

[illflem]

Mine started acting up at 17k, cleaned with electronic cleaner and made it part of my oil change service. 127k on the same stock one now.

I'd like to ask if someone who is replacing their TPS could dissect the old one and figure out a good place to drill a small hole in it big enough to fit the tube nozzle for the electronic cleaner. Seems if it was easier to keep clean it would last longer. I am almost positive the reason they fail is dirt in the area where the throttle sits the most sanding away at the windings. $152 worth of maintenance can go long way.

 

[Big John]

MikeR, I like the hammer story. My kind of guy! My Dad taught me "If it ain't broke, don't fix it. If you want to fix it, hammer on it 'til it brakes!"

Big John

 

[MikeR]

Thanks John!

Hey Illflem,when I took the TPS off I noticed how the weep holes face up which would let in water and dirt. Why does a part like this need weep holes? Why don't we just seal the holes next time we clean it out?

-Mike

 

[illflem]

Mike, Very good question, no answer from me though. A weak guess would be that without weep holes pressure from heat inside a tightly sealed TPS may cause it to crack open? But there is the hole in the middle. I have never removed mine, just went out to look and see no weep holes while installed, can't see the bottom though, could yours be in upside down?, it looks as if it is possible to do.

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95' 25004X4,AT,Driftwood,Banks Stinger,Warn fender flairs and running boards(work truck)
95 3500,5 speed 3:54,BD E-brake,Driftwood,Banks&Psycotty,34,000 GCVW apple and tractor hauler(works harder truck)

 

[n_fairchild]

Illflem,
I will take mine apart and let you know what i find, the new one should be here monday or tuesday. As far as weep holes mine doesn't have any or i am not looking at the right thing. The outside seems tightly sealed up. On the side opposite the fuel pump there seems to be an access panel?? i cannot get it off and i dont want to ruin it so i cannot drive the truck at all. I guess i will find out when i get the new one!!

Nick

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95 3/4 ton, 4x4, Auto, 235 plate, K&N, straight through exhaust, wastgate mods, more to come, 108,000mi and still going strong

 

[Bill Stockard]

If any of you have the back issues of the TDR Magazine, look in Issue 8 Spring 1995, page 28. There's an article about the TPS and what it looks like on the inside.

Bill