washing the engine, fried a TPS
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Rookie
Joined: Nov 2011
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washing the engine, fried a TPS
Recently there was a thread about a Dakota having a miss after washing the engine compartment. After he ran it a while, the miss went away.
Just thought I'd pass along my experience in case anyone finds it useful.
A couple weeks ago I washed the engine compartment to clean up some oil that spilled while swapping the cam. I washed it with the engine running so I can tell if I start to mess something up. Part way through, the engine sped up. It idled at about 2k for a while so I checked with the ScanGauge. It said the TPS was reading about 80. 11-12 is normal idle reading, 90-91 is full throttle. So the TPS was reporting nearly full throttle.
Its the third vehicle, and I didn't need to drive so I just let it sit to dry out. I checked a few times, and it seemed to be getting better (60, then 40). I'm going hunting tomorrow, so I brought the TPS in last night and set it in the warm oven for a while. It still didn't straighten up. So tonight went back to Orielly's for my third new TPS since I got this truck a few months ago. Now its fine again.
Anyway, this was all very easy to diagnose and test because the ScanGauge can show the real time TPS reading. I could disconnect the TPS from the wiring harness and confirm the reading was normal. That confirmed the problem was the sensor - not water in the wiring harness.
But if you don't have a scangauge, when you replace your TPS because its slightly acting up... You may want to throw it in the glove box to help diagnose problems in the future.
And when you wash your engine, stay away from the TPS. A brand new Borg Warner TPS cannot take residential hose pressure!
Just thought I'd pass along my experience in case anyone finds it useful.
A couple weeks ago I washed the engine compartment to clean up some oil that spilled while swapping the cam. I washed it with the engine running so I can tell if I start to mess something up. Part way through, the engine sped up. It idled at about 2k for a while so I checked with the ScanGauge. It said the TPS was reading about 80. 11-12 is normal idle reading, 90-91 is full throttle. So the TPS was reporting nearly full throttle.
Its the third vehicle, and I didn't need to drive so I just let it sit to dry out. I checked a few times, and it seemed to be getting better (60, then 40). I'm going hunting tomorrow, so I brought the TPS in last night and set it in the warm oven for a while. It still didn't straighten up. So tonight went back to Orielly's for my third new TPS since I got this truck a few months ago. Now its fine again.
Anyway, this was all very easy to diagnose and test because the ScanGauge can show the real time TPS reading. I could disconnect the TPS from the wiring harness and confirm the reading was normal. That confirmed the problem was the sensor - not water in the wiring harness.
But if you don't have a scangauge, when you replace your TPS because its slightly acting up... You may want to throw it in the glove box to help diagnose problems in the future.
And when you wash your engine, stay away from the TPS. A brand new Borg Warner TPS cannot take residential hose pressure!
Rookie
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Recently there was a thread about a Dakota having a miss after washing the engine compartment. After he ran it a while, the miss went away.
Just thought I'd pass along my experience in case anyone finds it useful.
A couple weeks ago I washed the engine compartment to clean up some oil that spilled while swapping the cam. I washed it with the engine running so I can tell if I start to mess something up. Part way through, the engine sped up. It idled at about 2k for a while so I checked with the ScanGauge. It said the TPS was reading about 80. 11-12 is normal idle reading, 90-91 is full throttle. So the TPS was reporting nearly full throttle.
Its the third vehicle, and I didn't need to drive so I just let it sit to dry out. I checked a few times, and it seemed to be getting better (60, then 40). I'm going hunting tomorrow, so I brought the TPS in last night and set it in the warm oven for a while. It still didn't straighten up. So tonight went back to Orielly's for my third new TPS since I got this truck a few months ago. Now its fine again.
Anyway, this was all very easy to diagnose and test because the ScanGauge can show the real time TPS reading. I could disconnect the TPS from the wiring harness and confirm the reading was normal. That confirmed the problem was the sensor - not water in the wiring harness.
But if you don't have a scangauge, when you replace your TPS because its slightly acting up... You may want to throw it in the glove box to help diagnose problems in the future.
And when you wash your engine, stay away from the TPS. A brand new Borg Warner TPS cannot take residential hose pressure!
Just thought I'd pass along my experience in case anyone finds it useful.
A couple weeks ago I washed the engine compartment to clean up some oil that spilled while swapping the cam. I washed it with the engine running so I can tell if I start to mess something up. Part way through, the engine sped up. It idled at about 2k for a while so I checked with the ScanGauge. It said the TPS was reading about 80. 11-12 is normal idle reading, 90-91 is full throttle. So the TPS was reporting nearly full throttle.
Its the third vehicle, and I didn't need to drive so I just let it sit to dry out. I checked a few times, and it seemed to be getting better (60, then 40). I'm going hunting tomorrow, so I brought the TPS in last night and set it in the warm oven for a while. It still didn't straighten up. So tonight went back to Orielly's for my third new TPS since I got this truck a few months ago. Now its fine again.
Anyway, this was all very easy to diagnose and test because the ScanGauge can show the real time TPS reading. I could disconnect the TPS from the wiring harness and confirm the reading was normal. That confirmed the problem was the sensor - not water in the wiring harness.
But if you don't have a scangauge, when you replace your TPS because its slightly acting up... You may want to throw it in the glove box to help diagnose problems in the future.
And when you wash your engine, stay away from the TPS. A brand new Borg Warner TPS cannot take residential hose pressure!
shouldnt wash your engine while its warm
Champion
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 4,895
Likes: 35
From: Gilbert, Arizona
never had a problem
I steam clean my engine two times a year and have never had any problems I stay away from all electrical components and the computer but some over spray does happen only had one time that it was hard to start and needed the spark plug wires dried off then she started up fine.
But I would never do it running and don’t do it with a hot engine could cause warping of some things.
But I would never do it running and don’t do it with a hot engine could cause warping of some things.
Rookie
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
I steam clean my engine two times a year and have never had any problems I stay away from all electrical components and the computer but some over spray does happen only had one time that it was hard to start and needed the spark plug wires dried off then she started up fine.
But I would never do it running and don’t do it with a hot engine could cause warping of some things.
But I would never do it running and don’t do it with a hot engine could cause warping of some things.
x2 , heat will draw in water into wires and electric sht
Champion
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 4,895
Likes: 35
From: Gilbert, Arizona
if you say so!
I guess 13 years with no problems and 14 years no problems with my previous auto don’t mean a thing?
What do you need 100 years of proof before you believe someone?
No argument Just saying
What do you need 100 years of proof before you believe someone?
No argument Just saying
Rookie
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
...was agreeing with you sir
i too steam clean my engines and have only had problems with coil packs and plugs ...
