p0121 & p1682 - More troubles

ckowennos

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Nashville, TN
Yesterday when driving jeep it started acting funny. It would rev up to 3000 rpm but it was like it didn’t want to shift to the next gear. I was on residential streets but I couldn’t get it up past 30mph. It felt like I had a weed eater for an engine. I limped it home, broke out the multi-meter, OBDII reader and Google.

1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport
4.0 engine, auto trans.
206,000 miles


I was throwing 2 codes
P0121 - TPS Voltage does not agree with map
P1682 - Charging System Voltage Too Low


Voltage at battery: off is 12 volts & running is 14 volts.

I checked the TPS sensor: outside pins I had 5 volts. When I pushed the throttle cable by hand and checked the middle and black wire it ranged from about .2 Volts closed throttle to 3.9 volts WOT

Pushing on the throttle makes it accelerate but it is kind of shakey and when you let off it dies instead of idleing.

Is the clockspring the next thing to check? My horn recently quit working and my airbag light has been on for quite a while.

I will check the map sensor when I get home from work tonight. Am I headed in the right direction here?
 
I do believe I heard something about the TPS and clockspring relationship. Shared ground perhaps?

Maybe somebody else will chime in here with more definite information.

I wouldn't completely rule out the TPS yet though; testing is not always conclusive.
 
Clockspring?

The voltage regulator is in the computer by 98 IIRC. I would look for ground problem.
 
Were you able to fix this? I have a P1682 code with no CEL on and it just passed smog easily today. I do have a couple of the symptoms you're describing.
 
UPDATE: Problem fixed by replacing the TPS and resetting the CEL codes. Have been driving the jeep for about a week now and it seems to be working well.

BirchlakeXJ was right, testing does not conclusively rule out the TPS being bad.
 
Always begin diagnostics and repairs with the lowest numbered trouble code. Higher number trouble codes are often generated by the same fault causing the low number codes and will clear up by itself when the low number code is repaired.

Your TPS test numbers were a bit low and indicated possible TPS failure. At idle, TPS output voltage should be greater than .26 volts but less than .95 volts. Move the throttle and look for smooth meter response up to the 4.49 at WOT.

TPS Diagnostic

You may have one or more of these Physical Symptoms:

1) The engine loses power and is stalling.
2) The engine will idle, but may die as soon as you press the gas pedal. When driving, it seems as if all power is gone.
3) Sometimes it feels as if the transmission is failed or isn't shifting properly, if at all. If you quickly jump on the gas you might be able to get the transmission to shift, but it won’t shift properly by itself. Shifting manually, the transmission goes through all the gears.

NOTE: The throttle position sensor is also DIRECTLY involved with transmission shifting characteristics. The TPS function should be verified early in the troubleshooting process, when a transmission issue is suspected.

TPS TEST

You should have 5 volts going into the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS). It is best to use an analog meter (not digital) to see if the transition from idle to WOT is smooth with no dead spots. With your meter set for volts, put the black probe on a good ground like your negative battery terminal. With the key on, engine not running, test with the red probe of your meter (install a paper clip into the back of the plug of the TPS) to see which wire has the 5 volts. At idle, TPS output voltage should be greater than .26 volts but less than .95 volts. Move the throttle and look for smooth meter response up to the 4.49 at WOT. The other wire will be the ground and should show no voltage.

Perform the test procedure again and wiggle and/or tap on the TPS while you watch the meter. If you notice any flat spots or abrupt changes in the meter readings, replace the TPS.


The TPS is sensitive to heat, moisture, and vibration, leading to the failure of some units. The sensor is a sealed unit and cannot be repaired only replaced. A TPS may fail gradually leading to a number of symptoms which can include one or more of the following:

-Poor idle control: The TPS is used by the ECU to determine if the throttle is closed and the car should be using the Idle Air Control Valve exclusively for idle control. A fault TPS sensor can confuse the ECU causing the idle to be erratic or "hunting".

- High Idle Speed: The TPS may report faulty values causing the engine idle speed to be increased above normal. This is normally found in conjunction with a slow engine return to idle speed symptom.

-Slow engine return to idle: A failing TPS can report the minimum throttle position values incorrectly which can stop the engine entering idle mode when the throttle is closed. Normally when the throttle is closed the engine fuel injectors will be deactivated until a defined engine RPM speed is reached and the engine brought smoothly to idle speed. When failing a TPS will not report the throttle closed and fueling will continue causing the engine to return to idle very slowly.

-Engine Hesitation on Throttle Application: The TPS is also used by the ECU to determine if the driver has applied the throttle quicker than the Manifold Air Pressure sensor can read. The fueling is adjusted accordingly to cope with the sudden increase in air volume, however a faulty sensor can cause the ECU to ignore this data and the engine will "hesitate" when applying the throttle. In extreme cases with the engine at idle, a sudden application of full throttle can stall the engine.

- Engine Misfire: A faulty TPS can report values outside the acceptable range causing the ECU to incorrectly fuel the engine. This is noticeable as a slight misfire and can trigger the misfire detection software and/or Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) light on the dashboard. Extreme cases can cause excessive misfires resulting in one or more cylinders being shut down to prevent engine and catalytic converter damage.
 
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