As some of you may know, I picked up my first Corvette last Monday. One of the first things I noticed on the drive home was that the check engine light had come on. After some research, I found that it was code 21, which points to the TPS.

After measuring the TPS voltage and resistance, I decided it was dead and that I needed a new one. Then came the sticker shock. Since I didn't want to pay $85 for an ACDelco TPS, I looked to eBay. Naturally someone had the part I needed for only $25. The post even said it was tested! After four days of torturous waiting, the part arrived. I rushed home from work on my lunch break and threw the part into the car.

No change. In fact, things seemed to be worse than before! I busted out the multimeter and found that there was no connectivity between the output and either hot nor ground! Discouraged, with an emissions test deadline around d the corner, I start looking for how I can get a BRAND NEW part quickly. I find that an AutoZone and hour away has it in stock. After convincing the wife that it would be an enjoyable ride through downtown rush hour traffic to pick up an overpriced potentiometer, I was able to get the part.

​​​​​​Stuck it in, everything works great. Check engine gone. Misfire appears gone (didn't want to try too hard at this late hour). I drove to the gas station (all the test starts in my garage had drained the tank) with what must have been the biggest smile. It was all worth it.

​​This is the first car I've had to fix, and I know it was a simple problem. But it sure was satisfying.

Lesson learned: always buy new electrical stuff. People out there don't know how to test them correctly. Except, of course, the wonderful netizens of this forum.

 

 

Glad it worked out for you and glad you knew how to use a mulitmeter! There are a lot of people out there that don't and as a result, as you have seen, can sell a faulty part or misdiagnose an electrical issue. Glad it all worked out and glad you're happy with the car!

 

Congrats on getting your problem fixed.

 

Yep, always satisfying to correctly diagnose and resolve an issue. Good job.

Many of us have learned the hard way that it is almost always cheaper in the long run to buy new electrical components.

 

​​​​​​That is exactly why I was unphased by the c4's electricals. I am perfectly comfortable working with electronics (I guess school wasn't a waste...). My work also has all the test equipment you could imagine, which is how I was able to be 100% sure that the eBay TPS was garbage.

Mechanics? All new to me.

 

Sometimes you can't afford cheap. I can't.

Or as House MD would say: Everybody Lies

 

Who makes your tps?

ac Delco is worth every penny. The aftermarket ones are not sufficient.

 

I ended up getting Duralast, mostly because I needed the part as soon as possible and that's what was in stock. If it breaks on me, I will certainly be going with AC Delco.

I've been driving it all day and had no problems, but we'll see how long that lasts.