Throttle Position Sensor Problems - Possibly Rain?

Question

My Jeep (TJ) was left out last night and we got about half an inch of rain. Of course, my top was open and it got a little wet. Not a huge deal except that today my check engine light is on. I had it checked out and it appears to have error codes: P0121 and P0123 which both indicate that the throttle position sensor is open or shorted internally. It tells me to replace the component.

I'm assuming that with the rain last night this sensor simply got wet and is shorting out. Here's the catch: the Jeep drives just fine. It appears that the TPS is functioning normally except for the fact that it's throwing these two error codes.

Is it possible that the TPS just needs to dry out and will stop throwing these errors? If not, I don't have a problem replacing it but I would sure appreciate it if somebody could tell me where it is. My Jeep didn't come with a manual and I'm still learning where all the parts are as they need replaced.

I'm hoping it just needs to dry out...

LYNN W · Accepted Answer

If it was due to it being wet, after it has had time to dry out reset your computer by unplugging both battery terminals for about 10 minutes. The check engine light should now be off...however if the check engine light returns you will know that the TPS will have to be replaced. Good Luck! I cannot help you with telling you where the TPS is located without knowing the exact model and year of your Jeep.

EDIT: The TPS is located on the throttle-body assembly on top of the intake manifold.

Serial Stunter RIDE LIKE SIN!!! · Answer

TPS's are very well sealed from factory so If it was because of rain it needs replaced anyway. Clear codes run er' again, check all wiring around tps and if you still get codes ...replace it (remember some of these need to be sort of twisted up into place). Don't twist the wrong way you'll break it just watch very carefully how the old one comes out. The tps is always on the end of the throttle valve usually a 3 wire sensor.

Anonymous · Answer

Jeep Tps Sensor

apoorapothecary · Answer

Time to go and get meticulous - grab a roll of paper towels and a can of WD40. Hunt down all the wiring harness connections, sensor connections and spray them, followed by a wipe down of the excess spray with the paper towels. When you hit the TPS, be sure to clean up as much of the WD40 as you can, not just for the sake of a good reading, but for the sake of not having too much lube on the unit - I found with my 4.0, excess lube gave me a very soft feel with the throttle pedal after I went crazy on the throttle and TPS unit one time. 

Then reset the error codes and see if they come back.

URI (from Canada) · Answer

TPS is bad. It has a bad spot in it. Replace it and the problems will go away.

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Throttle Position Sensor Problems - Possibly Rain?

5 Answers