Sentra Problems PLEASE HELP!!

[DeeDz]

Here's the deal...

I have a 2001 Sentra SE 2.0L. My "service engine soon" light came on in my car. Being cheap I went to Autozone to get a Diagnostic Check. They told me that I was my Throttle Position Sensor. (I also saw the words pedal position but didn't see much more) I'm wondering if this seems like the right thing. My car still runs, the throttle has not given in quite yet. The only thing that I have seen is that my car now idles funny. It fluxes and the engine will die every now and then. No lost in power, no problems with depressing the pedal. The car has a little trouble starting, and in some cases dies after I start it. It all started a week ago after i had turned on my car for the first time after a week. It "shuddered" into a start and the then the service engine soon light came on soon after that.

My ? is this: Is it worth it to take it into the Nissan service center and pay the 100 bucks to have them check it, or just buy the TPS and replace it myself (which i will probably still need to take it in to get the TPS reset.)If I do replace it...how hard is the reset??

Lots of info there, and i'm trying to get my car fixed by the end of this week. I get paid Wednesday, so any help b4 then would be helpful. Thank you all again!!

[nametakennow]

Unless your ECU is bad, there's no reason it'd throw an incorrect code.

Go through your manual and the FSM (found via link in my sig) for procedures on installing the TPS, as well as setting it if that is even necessary in this case. I bet you can do all of the above on your own.

[RED_DET]

Replacing and resetting the TPS can be done in 15-30 mins.

[DeeDz]

Ok. The I downloaded the info on the car. I think I can find the tps and replace it. I'm still having trouble trying to figure out how to reset it? I have manual transmission, the manual shows the reset for a automatic. Any help would be nice. I'm planning on replacing the TPS tomorrow. Thanks again for all the help.

[QUOTE=nametakennow]Unless your ECU is bad, there's no reason it'd throw an incorrect code.

Go through your manual and the FSM (found via link in my sig) for procedures on installing the TPS, as well as setting it if that is even necessary in this case. I bet you can do all of the above on your own.[/QUOTE

[RED_DET]

Before you reset the TPS after the install, you need to make sure the TPS voltages are set. With Key On Engine Off, you need to use a volt meter to see the voltages. You want them to be between .45-.55 volts @ idle. Now once you get those voltages, you need to open the throttle completely and make sure you see around 4v. In order to adjust the TPS voltages, you need to have the two screws loose so you can turn the TPS either direction to get the proper voltages. Then tighten the screws back down.

Now for resetting the ECU. Warm the car up and then rev the motor 3x past 4k RPM's. Shut car off, unplug TPS and start car back up. Let car run for 30 seconds and then plug TPS back in and you are done.

zerothread/145721This sticky will tell you exactly how to check TPS voltages as well.

[DeeDz]

Ok i installed the TPS. I don't have a voltage gauge on me. So I really can't do much there. Any alternatives. I had problems in the begining with the idleing being too high and then studdering. But now i got the idle right. But the car still studders under any type of throttle. I tried to press on the gas and when i do...it jumps a bit when i press on the gas. Haven't really driven the car though. So don't know if it will go. I just press on the gas and it jumps/sputters and the rpm gauge doesn't move very far. Any ideas. All i have on me right now is my tools to install the TPS, nothing electronic. Any help would be handy. Thanks again Guys

[RED_DET]

If you don't get the correct TPS voltages, you car will not run right. Until you do that, there is no need to do anything else.