I have a 1997 F-150 Xlt 4x4 4.6 and the check engine light is on. The code i got is the throttle positioning sensor. Well i have some wiring issues as well. My tail lights (brake, blinkers, 4 ways, running lights) dont work half the time. Sometimes they work but most times they dont. My radio turns on and off by itselfs. The truck locks and unlocks by itself. Same goes for the head lights. Now when i start the truck, it revs up, then down, then up, then stalls. Sometimes it stays running sometimes it dont. If i drive down the road, and i stop. It will rev up or hop sometimes it will stall and sometimes it wont. Now thats telling me that it does need the TPS replaced. But I dont want to change it if infact its a wiring issue. Any idea what could be causing my problems? Need to get it to pass inspection but cant with no lights and check engine light on.

 

Almost sounds like you have a wet condition around your fuse block. Is this intermitent problem happen when it rains?

 

It happens all the time, my driver side floor pan is rotted threw. Not really looking to replace the fuse box or the GEM module if thats not what it is. Not sure if the winshield leaks. Havent had much time to get the ohm meter out and check to see if the tps is bad, but if it is bad then how do i explain my wiring issue?

 

Sir, I think its time for you to sit down, breath deep and get your hands dirty, fixing these trucks is more than taking a pill, it takes work, your work, its in front of you, we only read your tales of woe. Step back and work on one issue at a time, it fun, frustrating at times, but rewarding at the end.

 

Sounding like your Idle Air Control is going t/u. Time to run a OBD scan and see what's up with the idle air system. The underhood problem is totally a separate harness than the taillights, or radio. The tail lights are probably in the turnsignal switch assy. That or broken wires underneath.

 

i have no problem with my idle air system, like i said only code i have is for the tps. The turn signal assy doesn`t effect my running tail lights or brake lights. So i know its not that. Ive looked all over underneath i cant see any broken wires. Only thing i can think of is a bad wire on the floor or under the dash but i cant seem to find any. I do see 3-4 wires under my driver seat(power seat) that are spliced into each outher. Now the seat dont move at all, could this be the problem to zero lights in the rear?

 

Intermittent lights are almost always a ground problem, sometimes loose wires if the loss is synchronized with vibration. Vehicle wide issues suggest a bad connection between battery (-) and the chassis. I'd get a good service manual, then use it to find and inspect all ground straps. Give them all a good cleaning to remove corrosion and replace any which are broken or frayed.

The service manual will also give you specs and a test procedure to test the TPS using a multimeter.

Hope that helps.

 

If i had a bad connection between the battery and the chassis whouldnt my truck not run? My truck starts up and the headlights come on, windows work, mirrors work, radio sometimes works(mostly just makes a loud buzzing sound). None of the taillights work(occasionally they will though). Cant start the truck up to see what else works and doesn`t because my battery went dead. Tomorrow im changing the TPS and will keep everyone updated.

As far as the driver seat, im a tall guy. The seat is currently stuck forward. Whould this also be caused by a bad ground somewhere? Really need to push the seat back. (i hate power seats they are for lazy people)

 

The vehicle will still run and start with a bad connection, but not correctly. There will be enough amps to keep it running, but just barely. You definetly have a ground issue, rust causes bad connections. Start with the battery and work your way throught the wiring grounds.

 

I replaced the TPS it runs alot better but still not right, after 10minutes of running the check engine light came back on so im going to read the codes again. Ive looked all over for a bad wire and cant seem to find one. The only bad wires i see is under the driver seat where someone spliced into the wires(maybe for power seat). All my ground wires are nice and tight and clean from front to back. I hear a noise now behind my glove box. Whats back there that could cause wiring issues? It sounds like a buzzing sound or clicking sound.

UPDATE: I just replaced the IAC Valve, still runs like crap. Just got a code for low air imput, gatta run now when i get back i`ll check the code number and post it. Tail lights, found some broken wires behind the rear tail lights. Will fix those tomorrow, have a relay behind my glove box thats clicking. Anyone got a wire diagram so i know what the relay is for? i know what one it is just not what its for. Im hoping its for my heater blower since that doesnt turn on.

How do i disable my alarm? not sure if its factory installed or not. But everytime i turn the key on or start the truck the lights flash and door locks. I started the truck today and shut the door forgetting to put the window down because of the alarm. Then the dang doors locked on me while the truck was running. So i had to leave in my outher vehicle run downtown and pay 100$ for a slimjim to get my door unlocked to turn the truck off.