Erratic Idle - one solution

[7hills]

I have chased an erratic high idle for the last couple of weeks. I have checked and re-checked sensors, idle control valve and every other part I could find that had anything to with idle speed. I would get readings that were within specs one time and out of specs the next. I searched through this forum and others several times and chased many ideas, all without success until this afternoon.

I had checked connections to be sure the clips were on and the connectors were tight, but always with the engine off. Today I happened to bump the connector for the TPS sensor while the engine was running and was able to re-create my erratic idle! My lightning quick powers of deduction took me right back to the connection and plugs to find the problem

In my search to find the "terrible gremlin" I had overlooked the most simple of things. Ten minutes with the electrical contact cleaner and $1.00 worth of dielectric grease later, the erratic idle is gone and the car runs smoother than it has in six months.

Sorry this is so long, but maybe it will help someone to remember to check even the simplest things before trying to find the most obscure problem.

Rance