Electrical problem fixed ***EVERYONE LOOK***

paulhagedorn · 01-27-2002, 01:30 PM

If anyone has ever had a problem with stumbling a little, or slow throttle response you might want to read the following.

I had been having problems with acceleration in my car. It would stumble sometimes at higher rpm with relatively no load other than engine. It would start to run poorly when going on a long trip. It would especially run like a dog and misfire when I turned the lights on.

Assuming your charging system and ignition system is working properly, you may want to check on something. The TPS, throttle positioning sensor, plays a big role in how the car acts at constant rpm's, acceleration, etc, as I am sure most of you know. With a part being 32 years old at maximum, you would expect some wear. Mine was worn quite a bit, and you could see a groove in the phenolic block and along the contacts on the board. An EASY, and FREE, FIX to the problem is to move the contact that is attached to the rotating arm just a little bit up or down(I moved mine down a little because of where it had been sitting initially) so it makes contact on a new area. Also, clean the contacts with alcohol.

The car now runs wonderfully. I am still kind of embarrassed that I didn't think to do this when I had it apart the first time. Yes, the arm has a chance of moving back to the original position, but it really shouldn't unless a bad vibration starts occurring.

Days like this make me love the teener! It finally runs correctly.

Paul

Otto · 01-27-2002, 01:37 PM

If you would have read my post earlier this year you would have fixed this problem sooner. OTTO

paulhagedorn · 01-27-2002, 01:40 PM

Guess I missed it...but I was having problems with my charging system for a long time. The alternator had always been a little weak. I had only had the misfiring problem for 2 weeks or so.

Wish I had seen your post, though! Would have taken a lot of guesswork out of it.

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

That is one of the classic 914 throttle switch symptoms.

BTW, your bending of the wiper is not a permanent fix. The bend doesn't seem to "take" completely, and the arm will find its way back to the worn parts of the PC board relatively soon. BTDT--it took about a week and a half, I think, in my case the first time. About a half-week the second time. After that, I corrected the problem.

The permanent fix is buying a new switch.

--DD