My 00 TJ has deveolped a new nasty habit. It will randomly throw the check engine light and code for the TPS. I have installed 2 TPS to no avail. I have also spent over $300 at "mechanic" to "fix" the problem. Still to no avail. When it throws the code the engine will be all over the map idleing from 400 rpms to 2000 rpms. It will also surge and lurch going down the road. I can get the code reset and it will run just fine. I am at a loss, any help would be appriciated.  

um instead of wasting your money getting it removed, just unhook the battery for 20 mins., as to why its doing it, i have no idea, it must be an electrical current problem. all this sensor does is reads how much the butterfly is open, and sends a voltage to the computer, so check to make sure your volage is right, it tells you how to do it with a voltmeter in chiltens and haynes repair manuals. also check to see if your voltage regulater is working right, not over charging your battery. its sounding like the computer is telling you its bad, and not being bad. computer bad? wireing bad? something.. goodluck with it, and im sorry, i hate electrical probs.  

I've done the battery thing, that won't reset the code. It comes right back. AUTOZONE will reset the code for free. Just a hassle, I stop at AUTOZONE twice a week now.  

im not sure whats going on with it, im sorry for not helping the prob, but i dont know.  

The problem has been found and came from a most un expected place. The clockspring, yes the clockspring. It turns out that the voltage for the TPS sensor is routed through the clockspring on the steering wheel. When the jeep got caught in the rain with it's top down the clockspring must have got wet causing it to short out on occasion. I have had the clockspring replaced and even to the dealer's surprise it fixed the problem.  

nice find, how did you find that?  

Nice! Good find! Weird problem... lol  

The way I eventually found this out was that after I replaced a third TPS sensor and paid my second $75 computer-hook up fee, the problem took about a 3 day rest. During that time I found a blog somewhere where someone else had the exact same problem. The next day I attempted to sound the horn but it sounded like a wounded duck. Instantly all of my symptoms and the "check engine" light came back on. I knew then exactly what it was.  

Hey just wandering but does anybody know how this clock spring works? After sinking my '99 TJ in a river I was told by the dealership mine was bad. But because I had to many other sensors to replace at the time I chose not to fix it! Its been a year now and I haven't had any problems yet.

Just curious as to what this thing does and how it does it!

-Cliff  

I don't know how it works, but for some reason it controls the voltage for the TPS sensor from the Computer. Why, I have no idea why Jeep decided to run that wire to the steering wheel and back to the motor. It is probably the cheapest thing to replace with the labor running as high as the part. (unless you wish to brave your airbag) Mine went bad because of a rain storm, but they do just wear out too. Infact, all but one vehicle I have ever owned as had to have it replaced. Although all the others the signs were the loss of curise control and air bag light.  

I read this thread and realized my clockspring has been an ongoing problem for nearly 6 months, a coil, battery, computer and 3 shops later I discovered the symptoms were all leading to the clock spring.  I pulled the airbag, pulled the steering wheel and removed the clock spring.  On the outside it states "not a servicabel part" I disagree.  6 torx screws later I removed the cover to the mysterious clockspring and found a simple 6 conductor ribbon wire.  Mine was broken about 3 inches from the connector that leads to the airbag.  I simply cut the ribbon wire pulled the broken section off (the "welds" broke easily) and soldered the ribbon back onto the connector.  COntinutiy tested it and reinstalled it.  30 minutes after removing the battery connection to begin the project i was done. The horn works and the airbag light went off..... easy.