Wow! "rockadaous", now that's a name I have not seen in a very long time time on this forum.

 

So, had some throttle body service done last week and wow - my TPS seems to have completely freaked. All was good for a few days but today on the highway, engine RPM's started surging around 2000-3000 extra and it slammed my transmission around. I had the plugs replaced, and initially thought that I wasn't firing on all cylinders, but then I reconsidered the TPS after the CEL came on.

The truck also burned 5 gallons of gas in less than 40 miles. Yikes!

Got to a gas station and checked the codes. It indicated that TPS didn't agree with MAP, and the transmission control signal was high.

It settled a little after a restart, but still continued to act up. It calmed down after I intentionally revved the engine a little bit. Not sure if the TPS is sticking or something, but it seemed a little better.

Needless to say, truck is going back to the shop in the morning to have this taken care of. Hopefully this is just the TPS acting up and causing the computer/MAP/transmission to become grumpy.

 

If indeed it is the tps you can do it yourself in 10 mins

 

I just checked local prices in central PA...

Napa: IAC $98.49 TPS $91.99
AutoZone IAC $109.99 TPS $29.99

I should check with the dealer as well.

 

The problem I have is 10mpg. Also when first starting up, the idle will surge up and down at the stop sign like it has a mis. Wife said it is stalling when cold too. When it is cold I can hear a ticking/knocking sound now. Could be exhaust?

 

Change out the TPS!

 

"2003 Durango 4.7

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The problem I have is 10mpg. Also when first starting up, the idle will surge up and down at the stop sign like it has a mis. Wife said it is stalling when cold too. When it is cold I can hear a ticking/knocking sound now. Could be exhaust?"


I have been getting that symptom with a cold start too. I dont have the ticking or knocking though, just the rough idle like it is struggling for air. I have been reading the Chiltons but according to them it could be either the Idle Air Control Valve (IACV) or the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) I want to make sure that I replace the right one which one should I r/r first and yes money is somewhat of an object.

 

You can clean the Throttle body and Idle Air Control Valve to save some money. the tps will have to be replaced

 

Clean the TB and sensors.

Replace spark plugs with champion coppers(OEM)

Replace the TPS.

 

and cleaned the IAC and TB. There was a lot of carbon built up in that area. The IAC was pretty much 'gunked' open. I must have used half a can of carb cleaner spray and cleaned it all up and got it moving again. The idle is smooth and I now have heat on the floor! It always seemed like a loss of vacuum causing the heater not to work right.

I hope this gives me a couple more MPG's and this will be a fine runner now. Thanks for the suggestion.