Update on throttle sensor unit

[JohndeereG]

Apparently there have been around 60-70,000 new 03 manual trucks made. Sometime around the first of the year DC made a change by locating the throttle position sensor off of the engine and to under the driver side battery (this is affected around 14,000 trucks). Trucks with AUTOMATIC transmission are not effected: the throttle sensor is still mounted on the engine but will be moved starting with the 2004 models.



There appears to be a flaw in the sensor housing that causes the throttle to stick around 900-1100 rpms or to rev up when shifting.



My dealer just received a (temporary/permenant) replacement part today from Canada. The part had the following number 53032456AD. The mechanic seemed to believe that it was an engineering number and not a part number. Either way it is the same sensor unit found on the 4. 7 gasser.



Hope this helps

 

[Mopar_Mudder]

Do you know if their is a recall that is going to happen to this or a service bulleting # or anyhting. Can't say as I have any problems with mine, other then the hanging RPM's when you shift. But once I got use to it, it was no problem and I thought it was part of the programing. Maybe it is my TPS?

 

[JohndeereG]

Originally posted by Mopar_Mudder

Do you know if their is a recall that is going to happen to this or a service bulleting # or anyhting. Can't say as I have any problems with mine, other then the hanging RPM's when you shift. But once I got use to it, it was no problem and I thought it was part of the programing. Maybe it is my TPS?

I can't say whether or not there will be a recall. While speaking with the mechanic, he shared that there was a sense of urgency in the voice of the engineer. The mechanic seems to believe that there may be some form of a recall.



The only time I felt that it could be a problem was while driving on a snow covered road. With the limited slip, I found the throttle was bringing the rear end around. #@$%!



DC feels that if the throttle would stick in the peak torque ranges there could be some big problems that they would make them liable. #@$%!

 

[boonsur]

Please clarify...



Was it bad to have it mounted to the engine, or remotely (was the problem on the earlier ones, or since they switched)? Is the solution to move it back (to the engine mount)?

 

[JohndeereG]

Originally posted by boonsur

Please clarify...



Was it bad to have it mounted to the engine, or remotely (was the problem on the earlier ones, or since they switched)? Is the solution to move it back (to the engine mount)?

It is my understanding from the conversation I had with the mechanic is that they moved the TPS under the battery around the first of the year for what appears to be just a design change. It only occured on the manual transmission trucks and not the automatics. Apparently the solution is not to move it back to the engine but to change the TPS unit housing. I'll take some pictures tomorrow when we change it at the dealership.

 

[Mathew Clausen]

I believe this is one area that both Ford and GM have one on DC. Why would you run a cable out to the nasty engine environment to operate a TPS on an electronic controlled engine? The answer - because the highest user is a gas engine which needs the cable to run the butterflies and DC didn't want to make a different pedal assy. Oddly though - I believe the Hemi gasser is electronic controlled as well, leaving only the 4. 7 and V10 that need the cable. I would prefer the TPS mounted directly to the throttle inside the cab - then just run the signal wire outside. Nothing to gum up, stick, get dirty/wet etc. But - that would be another set of parts on the cab assembly line .....



Mathew

 

[d90boy]

You're right Mathew. What makes even less sense is how the cruise control is setup with a mechanical linkage to physically operate an electronic sensor, just like a gas motor uses the same system to operate the butterfly valve. I never could understand why they did it this way when it could all be done electronically through the ECM.

 

[kaffine krazed]

The cruise control is completely electroinic on manual trans trucks. Only the auto uses the vacuum servo for cruise. I think the autos do it that way because the trans still has a throttle cable input instead of going completely electronic and just using the TP sensor. I hope they come to their senses and put the sensor on the pedal instead of under a battery. Leaving it where it is on the engine is better than putting it under the battery. I wish they would move the batteries into the wheel wells like they are on the cars so when the leak they don't leak on wiring or sensors.