How do i know my TPS is bad?
Only for sure way is to have somebody with a fast digital lab 'scope sweep it several times and watch the graph for spikes. Scan tools and ohm meters are too slow to catch the wiper going over a dead spot on the resistor. Can't tell you how many cars I fixed like that when other shops declared the TPS OK with a scan tool or ohm meter. Neither display data real time, they just show you "snap shots", and seldom catch anything. May look "real time" to you, but a sharp electronics guy will tell you digital meters are not.
Do NOT hook an analog volt/ohm meter to your computer! Any meter MUST have ten mega-ohm impedance. Not all do. Lower impedance meters pull too much current and can damage the ECM/PCM.
You likely don't have a scope like that (expensive) so borrowing the TPS off a good running vehicle, or buying a new TPS might be best.
Hope this helps.
Do NOT hook an analog volt/ohm meter to your computer! Any meter MUST have ten mega-ohm impedance. Not all do. Lower impedance meters pull too much current and can damage the ECM/PCM.
You likely don't have a scope like that (expensive) so borrowing the TPS off a good running vehicle, or buying a new TPS might be best.
Hope this helps.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: around
Only for sure way is to have somebody with a fast digital lab 'scope sweep it several times and watch the graph for spikes. Scan tools and ohm meters are too slow to catch the wiper going over a dead spot on the resistor. Can't tell you how many cars I fixed like that when other shops declared the TPS OK with a scan tool or ohm meter. Neither display data real time, they just show you "snap shots", and seldom catch anything. May look "real time" to you, but a sharp electronics guy will tell you digital meters are not.
Do NOT hook an analog volt/ohm meter to your computer! Any meter MUST have ten mega-ohm impedance. Not all do. Lower impedance meters pull too much current and can damage the ECM/PCM.
You likely don't have a scope like that (expensive) so borrowing the TPS off a good running vehicle, or buying a new TPS might be best.
Hope this helps.
Do NOT hook an analog volt/ohm meter to your computer! Any meter MUST have ten mega-ohm impedance. Not all do. Lower impedance meters pull too much current and can damage the ECM/PCM.
You likely don't have a scope like that (expensive) so borrowing the TPS off a good running vehicle, or buying a new TPS might be best.
Hope this helps.
