Throttle position sensor failure symptoms

Smeegles · 05-26-2006, 02:33 AM

Hi folks
what sort of symptoms does the bike exhibit with throttle position sensor problems?
98 r1100s

Smeegles · 05-26-2006, 04:26 AM

Anyone?

gigantic · gigantic's Garage

what are the symptoms of your bike?

Smeegles · 05-26-2006, 04:40 AM

At 100kmh (60mph for you non conformists) in top gear at times the bike loses power and lurches.
I suspected a dirty fuel filter but it only happens intermittently and always at those speeds in top gear.
after about 10-15 seconds or if i roll back the throttle the bike picks up again.
On hard accelration from stop to go it pulls hard and no problem.
It starts up every time and idles as it should.
It's just at cruising speed if I want to give it some at that particular speed the hesitation and lurching starts.

Is that a typical TPS problem?
Thanks

DavidSoine · 05-26-2006, 05:04 AM

Check the sensor with a voltmeter...Might show a dead spot or something. That failure should definitely set a code - you could get the codes read.

I don't think the bike will run without TPS input - so it kind of fits the description...but it should be any gear at that particular throttle opening...

best,

Dave
99 R11S

roger albert · 05-26-2006, 05:25 AM

Could be a TPS. Bike will definitley run w/o one, but with a very poor throttle reponse. Mostly as Dave says though, I'd get the codes pulled and see what you see. Wouldn't rule out your own idea of the filter either. Might be within an inch of correct there. Keep us posted. I'm curious.

nonconformingly yours
roger

Moybin · 05-26-2006, 05:44 AM

100 kph in 6th gear? Dogging it a little, aren't you? Here where the speed limit is 65 mph (nonconformism is healthy) I rarely get into 5th gear, let alone 6th gear.

Anton · 05-26-2006, 05:48 AM

Listen to Moybin, run at a higher RPM. Most likely your just falling off the torque curve.

roger albert · 05-26-2006, 05:54 AM

Good point. No power in 6th at 60.
The lurching still gives me pause though.

Smeegles · 05-26-2006, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Anton
Listen to Moybin, run at a higher RPM. Most likely your just falling off the torque curve.

The bike has never had a problem like lurching and losing all throttle power unless i back it off b4
this is rather unsettling because you give it the berries and nothing!

bikerfish1100 · 05-26-2006, 08:42 AM

life begins at 5k. there is a glimmer of existance at 4k. it's barely breathing at 3k. it is comatose below that.

roger albert · 05-26-2006, 08:51 AM

If the man is seeing something new, then we can't just write it off to 'normal behavior' Something has changed, and apparently not for the better.

Still need to check all the basics before blaming TPS of course.
Valve-clearance, sync, fuel-pressure, injectors, moisture-in-fuel, etc. This isn't a commonly reported deal, so it will be interesting what it proves to be. Not having seen this before, I'd just be blowing smoke if I said I knew what it was, but symptom seems to be about what I'd expect with a faulty sensor.

Moybin · 05-26-2006, 03:01 PM

What roger albert just said, and look at the spark plugs. No one has said much about those, but they are a wonderful indicator of what has happened recently in the combustion chamber.

Eliminate all the Usual Suspects before tinkering with the TPS.

Smeegles · 05-26-2006, 10:28 PM

plugs are perfect.

ExarKunONe · 05-26-2006, 10:57 PM

If the TPS were funky wouldnt it affect more than just a particular rpm? its just a rheostat (or however you spell it) right? Does your bike run fine at the same rpm the problem happens in neutral or in sixth gear on the center stand?

roger albert · 05-27-2006, 03:28 AM

No, it is several parallel tracks, and a dirty spot can lift a wiper arm only at some positions. Ever had a noisy volume control on an old stereo that was static-y at some settings, and not others?
Very common.

ExarKunONe · 05-27-2006, 05:01 PM

ah ok that makes a lot os sense

Smeegles · 05-27-2006, 11:47 PM

Would a shot of WD40 help it?

bikerfish1100 · 05-28-2006, 05:28 AM

some electrical contact spray cleaner might do a good thing for it. used to use that on my old SAAB 99EMS whenever the contacts got funky.

Moybin · 05-28-2006, 07:59 AM

WD40 is a mixed "cure". The kerosene in the formula is murder on rubber components, particularly neoprenes and Buna-N. It attracts dust and once you start using it you really can never stop.

Better to follow bikerfish1100's advice and use electrical contact spray and a healthy dose of shop air.