Timing & TPS question

[Mercury_Hg]

With my TPS disconnected, my timing hovers at 20degrees.

With my TPS connected, my timing jerks around from 10-15degrees.

My car runs like s*** (rich, unburned fuel, engine hot, etc). My timing seems retarded.

Why do people recommend setting the timing with the TPS disconnected? It seems like I'm getting a pretty accurate reading with it plugged in, to be honest.

[LoserCard]

Maybe your TPS is bad. Did you follow all the steps for setting the timing correctly?

[S13_RB25]

^ and check for codes!

[Hijacker]

check the temp sender I've seen similar issues caused by one being bad/wrong

[corn322]

Turning the car on with the TPS unplugged sets the car into idle/timing adjust mode. It sets the idle air valve at 50% and keeps the ignition timing at a set value. This allows you to adjust the timing and idle speed to the appropriate value.

[Mercury_Hg]

check the temp sender I've seen similar issues caused by one being bad/wrong

Oh f*** oh f*** oh f***. It read at .3KOhms. and I'm getting 4.88v from the harness. That means it's at least 176 degrees. Is that bad? If so, my dash gauge isn't working all the way. The needle goes up to about halfway after it's warmed up.

Turning the car on with the TPS unplugged sets the car into idle/timing adjust mode. It sets the idle air valve at 50% and keeps the ignition timing at a set value. This allows you to adjust the timing and idle speed to the appropriate value.

How would a vacuum leak affect this? I've got one somewhere around my intake manifold, might be an EGR hose. It only really affects the engine when I open the throttle. After I let go of the throttle, instead of it falling back to idle the RPMs sort of floats down really slow to 750.
Also, what should the RPMs be at for the adjust mode? I think mine were at 1k if I remember right.

^ and check for codes!

I'm doing that now. I know I've had a knock sensor error.
EDIT: Nevermind. Code 55 and no check engine light at any given point.

Maybe your TPS is bad. Did you follow all the steps for setting the timing correctly?

Well I did initially, but it was still running like crap. Yesterday I set it with it disconnected (I disconnected it before I turned the car on) to 20degrees, and it had no power at all. Like I wouldn't be able to drive the car in traffic, it was accelerating that slow (I turned the car off, reconnected the TPS, and started it again before test driving it). Then I set it at idle with the TPS connected and it was best at 20degrees. Not 15-19 or 21-25, but 20.

Please help this noob. I love my car. Don't let me destroy it.

I read this on another forum:

timing can also cause really high head temps is its too far advanced, like what can happen if you try to set timing without disconnecting the tps. check that s***.

Why would my car run fine so far advanced but run like crap when set normally?

Also, what're the symptoms of a jumped chain? Like a link or two? Just curious.
If I were to take off my valve cover, how would I check to see if the chain jumped?

[Gabes13]

Turning the car on with the TPS unplugged sets the car into idle/timing adjust mode. It sets the idle air valve at 50% and keeps the ignition timing at a set value. This allows you to adjust the timing and idle speed to the appropriate value.

Yup. Everyone calls it the tps, but its really the Throttle Valve Switch. The "real" Throttle Position Sensor is the 3 wire, oval connector.