TCS Prob

[johnl]

I had turned off the TCS when exiting a hand car wash this morning. When on the street I goosed it a little to dry the soap and stuff of the tires. The tires spun a bit and when they got traction. Serv Trac Ctrl Sys came on and then reduced engine power.
I pulled into a gas station and checked the codes.
Other than misc. H codes, the 4 most notable were:
10-PCM P1220 H C
P1221 H
P1271 C
P1272 C
28-TCS I forgot this one. I’ll post it when I get the car back.. (I wrote them all down and gave them to the Service manager at the dealer.)

All the codes would clear except for the P1220.
I think I either broke something or the tire spin caused TCS fail to set, and it needs clearing. (I’ll let you know when I hear)

After having sat for 1/2 hr or so waiting for the tow, it fired up and ran OK until about ½ way onto the flatbed. Then the Reduced Engine Power came back on. After taking it off the tow at the dealer it fired up and ran full power right up to the service bay.

I was just going to drop off JC at kindergarten, get the car hand washed. So there I am semi-dead car, no cell phone, 2 dollars in my pocket.

Fortunately I was about 4 blocks from a friend of mines shop. North Main Tow. Also one of his flatbeds was just pulling in. He drove me back to the car, I drove it up onto the tow, and took it right to the dealer.
The dealer probably won’t get to look at it today, so I guess I’ll get a lot of the yard work I’ve been putting off done this weekend.

 

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
The 1220 shows a throttle position sensor circuit that has an error.
It could be caused by a few things. You could have a bad sensor, or the wiring going to it.
On the drivers side, where the wiring passes around the end of the fuel rail. There is a bracket there that may be rubbed through, creating the condition.
Check the wiring first, and then check the sensor.
Allthebest, c4c5
PS, your TCS codes was probably a 1278, which is a byproduct of the throttle position sensor code.

 

[johnl]

The 1220 shows a throttle position sensor circuit that has an error.

Is this guy amazing or what?
Paul, you hit it on the dead. The dealer just called. "BadThrottle Position Sensor".

 

[johnl]

I got my car back today, the 28-TCS code was indeed C1278.
Sensor replaced, running great again.
J
Once again a good call from the master :BOW

 

[cruzer99]

We need to kidnap or clone C4C5 and put him on the west coast.

Three day drive is a long way to go for service.

 

[missmoneypenny]

Don't you dare think about leaving me c4c5
I need you on the east coast!!!!!

 

[atmmac]

what dealer are you at c4c5 im mad at my dealer they have really made me mad. Next time i need service im coming to you! It wouldnt be Maritime Motors in Connecticut would it thats where my car was sold.

 

[c4c5specialist]

Nope, not Maritime.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[atmmac]

It remains a mystery?

 

[johnl]

He's actually a secret govt. project. He could tell ya.....but then he'd have to kill ya.

 

[johnl]

"This is like deja vu all over again."

Would you believe the exact time of day, the exact place, and the exact same thing happened again today?
Codes:
10-PCM P-1220 HC
P-1221 HC
P-1575 H
P-1571 H
28-TCS C-1278

60-IPC B-0521 H
80-Radio U-1016 H

My question is, might they just have installed a defective TPS? Or is something else broken that is killing the TPS?

On the drivers side, where the wiring passes around the end of the fuel rail. There is a bracket there that may be rubbed through, creating the condition.

I mentioned this to them this time too.

 

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
I would still check that wiring.
I would also check the connector at the TPS, to make sure any terminals have not spread open.
Allthebest, and please keep me posted, c4c5

 

[64VETTE]

The TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) is actually two sensors (1 & 2) housed in one assembly. Each is a variable resistor with a "wiper" mechanically linked to the throttle shaft. A reference voltage (5volts) and a common are applied to the ends with the "wiper" providing the signal source. DTC P1221 indicates an out of range signal for sensor 1 and DTC P1220 indicates an out of range signal for sensor 2. Its somewhat unlikely that they would both fail at the same time unless they shared something in common. The TAC (Throttle Actuator Control) module is the source and receiving end for the TPS. Take a look first at the connectors at the TPS end and the TAC end then at the TAC itself.

If the technician that did the repair had done a little signal tracing with a DVM I'm pretty sure he would have nailed the problem the first time around.

Goodluck,

LEC

 

[johnl]

Thanks for that info. I’ll pass it onto the Tech. This is not the shop I usually use. (It is in Menlo Park 80 miles away and across one of 3 bridges). But when it breaks you need to get it to the closest shop.
If both are failing I suspect c4c5’s suggestion that the wiring harness has been compromised is correct. Especially since replacing the TPS fixed it temporarly.