Throttle valve switch woes..., little to no idle... Options

[stateofidleness]

to precede.... i have an idle issue where the car either has VERY low idle (like 200, or 100) or no idle at all (tach won't even move). also, once i drive the car for a few minutes, whenever i have to go back into first, it just dies.. does not return to idle..

with that said, i've been directed to check the TPS or Throttle valve switch..

finally found the switch, and using the Pelican tech article ive gotten to the point where i connect common to common (middle prong) and positive to "idle" prong.

..and... shouldn't it give me a reading?? i have it set to audible (the ohm meter) and i hear nothing once the two connections are made.. i even tried either side of the common prong to make sure it was on the right one...

does this mean dead TPS? i know they're NLA and i don't really want to fork out the $$ to fix it as the car is for sale.. is there a way to keep my idle normal and still keep it drivable? dying at every stop sign or intersection takes all the fun out of 914 ownership as you can imagine..

[roadster fan]

You say you set the TPS in the "midde". Not really sure what that means but the Clymer manual gives a specific procedure for adjusting the TPS: it involves the Throttle valve being completely closed, adjusting the switch till it closes (reads 0 ohms across pins 14 and 17) then rotating the switch counterclockwise one major graduation on the scales next to the slotted holes (2 degrees). Tighten the screws up and put it all back together.

Since it is all apart, I would remove the four screws holding the TPS switch cover on and make sure all is clean inside and that the switch hasn't worn a grove completely thru the contacts in the switch. The downside to the location of the TPS on a 1.7 is you cannot adjust it with the throttle body mounted in the car.

Hope this helps. The hunting idle is usually a symptom of vacuum leaks. I am going to go back and look at your symptoms again not sure the TPS is your problem.

Jim