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TPI throttle positioning sensor question

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Old Dec 25, 2009 | 08:28 PM
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Default TPI throttle positioning sensor question

I have a street and Performance TPI system on my 327. Car runs fine but idles at 1k, a bit to high I think. I am trying to adjust the Throttle Positioning Sensor. Directions say to measure the blue and black wire for voltage with the ignition switch on.

I have no voltage to the sensor with the key on. I can measure voltage with it running, but zero in any position with engine not running but key on.

I have 'dynamically' adjusted it by moving it to decrease the idle RPM, but I don't know if that affects WOT or not...

Anyone have any suggestions?
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Old Dec 25, 2009 | 08:36 PM
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Originally Posted by RFJohnston
I have 'dynamically' adjusted it by moving it to decrease the idle RPM, but I don't know if that affects WOT or not...
There is only one correct way to adjust idle (IAC valve ) and TPS. If TPS voltage is set wrong you may not get correct V for WOT performance

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...and+Idle+Speed
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Old Dec 25, 2009 | 08:50 PM
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Originally Posted by rodj
There is only one correct way to adjust idle (IAC valve ) and TPS. If TPS voltage is set wrong you may not get correct V for WOT performance

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...and+Idle+Speed
Appreciate the response. I have NO voltage present at the TPS with the key on and the engine off. I can't adjust what isn't there.

Perhaps a better question would be, where does the voltage at key on come from? It's not there
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Old Dec 26, 2009 | 12:22 AM
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Your ecm somehow is wired to receive power when the key is in the engine start position and then when the engine is running. It should be wired to receive power in the ignition on position and then you will receive voltage at the tps.
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Old Dec 26, 2009 | 05:58 AM
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Seems a bit odd. Mine was easy to adjust. Not to sound rude but are you sure the key is in the "On" position? If you don't have power with it "On" then it shouldn't have power when running as the power is from the same source and available when running.
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Old Dec 26, 2009 | 07:11 AM
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There should be voltage (approx. .53-.6) key on/motor off. I would first pull connector at the tps and check for voltage with vohm meter (key on/motor off) at weather pack connector and/or wiring itself to determine the problem (connector/wiring). If it is getting power at the wiring/connector, then with vohm meter attached and weather pack re-connected manually move the tps. The voltage should "sweep" higher (approx. 4.5 at WOT position), if it shows the voltage increasing but still shows zero at an idle position, then the tps has a dead spot.
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Old Dec 26, 2009 | 09:42 AM
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Why not adjust it, while it's running ?
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Old Dec 26, 2009 | 03:22 PM
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I assume this is a conversion on the 327 in the 67. Where did the system come from? The TPS gets a 5 volt reference signal from the ECM with the key in the "run" position, there should be no difference if the engine is running or not.
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Old Dec 26, 2009 | 09:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Muffin
I assume this is a conversion on the 327 in the 67. Where did the system come from? The TPS gets a 5 volt reference signal from the ECM with the key in the "run" position, there should be no difference if the engine is running or not.
Correct, this is a conversion to the 327. TPI was purchased from Street and Performance. It is a speed Density system, and there is absolutely no voltage on that harness unless the engine is running.

Car runs, so I have to assume Street and Performance did something different in their system. I don't know if the Speed Density set up has anything to do with it or not...
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Old Dec 27, 2009 | 09:07 AM
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S&P must have provided some sort of documentation with the system that includes a wiring diagram. Suggest you start there. Apparently there are significant differences between the stock system and S&P.
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Old Dec 27, 2009 | 01:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Muffin
S&P must have provided some sort of documentation with the system that includes a wiring diagram. Suggest you start there. Apparently there are significant differences between the stock system and S&P.
Yes, they provided documentation. Says to measure the voltage that isn't there... I guess I'll wait till Monday and call em.
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Old Dec 27, 2009 | 01:41 PM
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They're pretty helpful folks so I would call them. They have some helpful pages on their web site also. Something doesn't make any sense though. It shouldn't need to be started to deliver power to the Run Circuit. Most ignition switches have two hot leads and the contacts in the switch deliver power for Start, Run and Acc when the rod connected to the key slides the contacts to make or break the circuit. Check your schematic to make sure the ECM is wired correctly. Frankly I don't know how it would start without reference voltages. You may need a different igniition switch - carbs only need to crank the starter and send juice to the coil - EFI needs a lot more.

Most SD systems use a fixed, .62 voltage (idle retun signal) for the TPS and there's no adjustment.

Idle is controlled by the ECM and the Target number is based on Coolant Temp Signal and Load (a/c - Park/Neutral/Drive). There's nothing to adjust. For something different, you'll need to burn it in. If you want to see what's going on, scan it, post the Data - there's a good chance it's working the way it's suppose to (except for the wiring).
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Old Dec 27, 2009 | 03:15 PM
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Funny how some things will eat at what little brain you have left. Ignition switch has four positions, Acc.--Off--Run--Start.. Electrically there is no difference in voltages in the Run position if the engine is running or not. TPS should have its reference voltage unless S&P does some very strange things in their ignition circuits.
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Old Dec 27, 2009 | 08:43 PM
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I measure mine with one DVM touched to the blue wire and the other to a metal engine ground. Just did it most recently on my son's 96 a few months ago. TPS plugged IN.

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Old Dec 29, 2009 | 12:47 AM
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Originally Posted by AGENT 86
Why not adjust it, while it's running ?
LOL... nobody answered this question, especially if it makes no difference where the ignition switch is as muffin says...
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Old Dec 29, 2009 | 08:37 PM
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Sure - assuming it's adjustable and the ECM is programmed for that; idle range is .56 volts +/- .06 volts or .5 to .62 volts. Below that, it usually conks out. Above it, the IAC pintle will be retracted and a typical TPI will idle somewhere around 1200 to 1500 rpms. If the ECM is set up for a fixed .62 volts, then that's where you want it. I'd still scan it and you might also want to see that the IAC is working: Slightly depress the accelerator and start it. Let it run for 10 seconds. Off for 5 seconds. Restart normally (foot off the pedal) and note the RPMS. Turn it off. Restart again. Idle rpms should be higher than what you noted; but return to that # in a couple of seconds. If so, the ECM is using the IAC to control idle speed and you could assume that the TPS signal is providing the idle voltage.
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Old Dec 29, 2009 | 09:40 PM
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Originally Posted by SunCr
Sure - assuming it's adjustable and the ECM is programmed for that; idle range is .56 volts +/- .06 volts or .5 to .62 volts. Below that, it usually conks out. Above it, the IAC pintle will be retracted and a typical TPI will idle somewhere around 1200 to 1500 rpms. If the ECM is set up for a fixed .62 volts, then that's where you want it. I'd still scan it and you might also want to see that the IAC is working: Slightly depress the accelerator and start it. Let it run for 10 seconds. Off for 5 seconds. Restart normally (foot off the pedal) and note the RPMS. Turn it off. Restart again. Idle rpms should be higher than what you noted; but return to that # in a couple of seconds. If so, the ECM is using the IAC to control idle speed and you could assume that the TPS signal is providing the idle voltage.
I decided to bite the bullet and buy the OBDI cables for my OTC Genesis Scanner. Should be here tomorrow along with my '09 Software updates. I'll have more info then...
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Old Dec 29, 2009 | 11:16 PM
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I had to reset my TPS after I took the throttle body off. I got one of those harness adapters from Mid America so I could plug my multimeter into the TPS sensor to adjust it.
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Old Dec 31, 2009 | 12:55 PM
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Originally Posted by rodj
There is only one correct way to adjust idle (IAC valve ) and TPS. If TPS voltage is set wrong you may not get correct V for WOT performance

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...and+Idle+Speed
I would disagree that there is one correct way. I have been setting by IAC counts. I get the engine hot and shut everything but the motor off. Run the scantool and see how many IAC counts. I open the TB blades up if I want the count to decrease and close it if I want the counts to increase. Every time I make an adjustment I rev the engine and let it settle down before making another adjustment. When it is about 15-20 counts, I check the TPS.

This is all assuming that the timing is spot on and that you have the IAC working and the passages are clean and not sooted up.
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Old Jan 2, 2010 | 04:56 PM
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Adjusting TPS voltage up gives a more rich overall system. TPS voltage down gives a leaner system. If you have too much TPS voltage, you will get check engine light, normally about .62V
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