TPS Replacement Question?

[hdsanders]

2000 Explorer XLS 4.0 OHV -Check Engine light was on and I took it to Autozone to be diagnosed. Code 122 was present so I replaced the TPS.

Check Engine light did not go off. I disconnected the battery and it cleared it for about 1 day. Took it back to Autozone and now it showed either P0121 or P1121.

Is there something I could have done wrong when replacing the TPS or a step which should have been taken that I may have missed? Haynes manual did not give a detailed explanation as to replacing, just said to make sure it was engaged. How do i know if it was engaged properly?

Thanks for any help!!

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

HD, there's a tang that the TPS fits onto. When installing it, you have to insert it so it fits onto this tang, and then rotate the TPS slightly to get the screw holes to align. If it's installed correctly, there will be a very slight spring pressure on the TPS before the screws are installed.

Since you're getting different codes with the new TPS installed, there's a good chance it's installed incorrectly (binding). Let us know what happens after you remove and re-install it......

ROE

 

[hdsanders]

ROE, One thing I found was Autozone gave me a SOHC TPS when I needed the OHV TPS. When you say it needs to be rotated, is clockwise or counter-clockwise? Do you know if the CEL will go away immediately or if it will take a few cycles to clear? Or should I just disconnect the battery to clear it?

Sorry for being so ignorant, but this is the 1st TPS I have replaced.

Thanks

 

[410Fortune]

CEL should go off once you get the correct TPS installed and installed properly.
You will likely see what he is talking about when you go to screw the new TPS on the throttle body, you just have to engadge the TPS to the butterfly vavle, then rotate it just a hair to get the screws to line up, from memory I want to say clockwise on the OHV.

Also once its moutned you can check the voltage of the TPS signal wire, at idle and then adjust it to .96V, considered by this forum to be the optimum setting
I did mine and noticed absolutely no change in performance, hahaha but mine was already at like .94

 

[hdsanders]

When I try to put it on and rotate clockwise, it opens up the butterfly valve. If I go counteclockwise it does put some tension before lining up to be able to screw it in. I went to the ford website to just put in TPS for a parts list and it mentioned that the coolant temp. sensor is often related to the TPS.

I have noticed the thermostat often appears to always run somewhat cold. Maybe another problem?

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

HD, you should be able to see the 'flat' or tang that the TPS fits into. It will be apparent which way to turn it to engage with the throttle valve. (It's been awhile since I had mine off, and I don't remember the direction to turn it). There will be tension on it when you align the screw holes, when it's engaged correctly.

It's possible that your thermostat is sticking open, although that's a separate problem from the TPS. This seems to be common with the stock Motorcrafts (German made), and I'd suggest you replace it with a Stant. It's an easy job, almost fun. Almost......

Did the MIL go off after the correct TPS installation?

ROE

 

[hdsanders]

The light is off now. I will look at the Haynes manual and see what it takes to replace the thermostat.

The thermostat is pretty cheap to replace aacording to pricing and the Stant is within reason. Do you think there are advantages to the Stant? Would you go with the premuim or regular? Since there is not much difference in the cost, I would probably go with the premium.

Any hints to provide when replacing the thermostat?

Thanks for all the help.

 

[moonkyu]

I had the same problem with my 97 OHV (4.0) when I replaced tps with a new one.
But it turned out that the part was wrong. I guess they sent me the part for SOHC.
When I installed the old part, I could feel a little tension. But with the new part, there
was no tension.