questions about tps?

[dadslx]

hey there folks im getting ready to purchase a 88gt and over all the car is nice. but there is a issue with the idle, i went over today to look at the car for the first time and noticed the idle was very choppy. it would jump from 600-1500 every few seconds the dude im buying from said you had replaced the tps and ever since then it has been like this.he is a young guy with most likely very little auto knowledge. is there a way he could have installed this wrong? i too dont know much about cars so any help would be great..i read the idle checklist but again i really dont understand everything about this sensor. thanks again for any help..also is it ok to drive the car with a choppy idle??

 

[bill302]

click on links below for info...i would start by pulling codes,check for vacuum leaks and clean the idle air control valve instructions on cleaning valve are in first link.

http://www.muscularmustangs.com/maintain.php

http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=698148&highlight=surging+idle+stickey

you will need to pull the check engine codes( click on link below for instructions). i would do this first after reading above articles. repost any codes retrieved...

http://www.muscularmustangs.com/test1.php

 

[HISSIN50]

Agreed.

Double check all sources of vac leaks again. You should see 20" hg on a solid stock SD motor. It sounds like a leak.

Good luck with the purchase.

 

[dadslx]

thanks for the replys sorry to ask stupid questions but i thought on the 86-88 cars you could not do a code check?

 

[jrichker]

thanks for the replys sorry to ask stupid questions but i thought on the 86-88 cars you could not do a code check?

It will dump the codes, it just requires a little more effort.

Here's the link to dump the computer codes with only a jumper wire or paper clip and the check engine light, or test light or voltmeter. I’ve used it for years, and it works great. You watch the flashing test lamp or Check Engine Light and count the flashes.

See http://www.troublecodes.net/Ford/

IF your car is an 86-88 stang, you'll have to use the test lamp or voltmeter method. There is no functional check engine light on the 86-88's except possibly the Cali Mass Air cars.

89 through 95 cars have a working Check Engine light. Watch it instead of using a test lamp.

Codes have different answers if the engine is running from the answers that it has when the engine isn't running. It helps a lot to know if you had the engine running when you ran the test.

Trouble codes are either 2 digit or 3 digit, there are no cars that use both 2 digit codes and 3 digit codes.

For those who are intimidated by all the wires & connections, see http://www.actron.com/product_detail.php?pid=16153 for what a typical hand scanner looks like. Normal retail price is about $30 or so at AutoZone or Wal-Mart.

Or for a nicer scanner see http://www.midwayautosupply.com/pc-7208-90-equus-digital-ford-code-reader-3145.aspx – It has a 3 digit LCD display so that you don’t have to count flashes or beeps.. Cost is $30.

 

[dadslx]

thanks again for all of the help!!!!!