High idle delayed shifting

2003 BUICK LESABRE
95,000 MILES • 3.8L • AUTOMATIC
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KYMMIECOO
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
On November twenty fourth while driving my car started idling high, I made it home and the check engine light came on. I had a code reader hooked to it and it told me it was the TPS had it changed and code cleared. Drove fine for about two weeks and started doing it again. I unplugged the battery for a few hours, but when I hooked it back it seemed the idle was worse than before. So I changed the TPS again, still doing the same thing. I had the throttle body taken off and cleaned really good. And it is still idling high. Sometimes it accelerates on its own. Very scary because I do not know if it is going to leave me stranded. Had a diagnostic computer hooked up to and it said I have my foot on the gas and it was still giving TPS as my problem. Any clues where I should go next with this?
Jan 19, 2018 at 8:22 PM
Repair Safety Notice: This information is for general instructional purposes only. Vehicle repair can be dangerous. Verify all information, follow manufacturer service procedures, use proper tools and safety equipment, and consult a qualified repair shop when needed.
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HARRY P
  • AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 2,292 POSTS
Scanners and trouble codes do not tell you that a sensor is a problem. They tell you to check the circuit as a whole, which includes the sensor. Check the wiring to the TPS. Look for bare spots on it as well as brittle wiring. If you have a multi-meter, take the lead wire from the TPS and run a continuity check between it and the negative battery terminal. Do the same with the signal wire. If there is continuity (meaning a meter reading of 0 or close to it), then that means that the wire is shorted to the ground.

You can also use a multi-meter to see if there is a spotty connection in the lead and signal wires. Basically you will hook up the multi-meter and start jiggling the wires a little bit while watching the meter. See what happens.

Let us know what you find.
Jan 20, 2018 at 3:52 AM
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