Another TPS Symtom

HansO

Not Taking Life Too Seriously
Joined
Apr 4, 2010
Messages
13,447
Location
Batemans Bay, NSW, Aus
Ride
08 Rocket III R.I.P now TEX Triumph Explorer
Over the last year and a bit I have had this tiny little flat spot (a bit of a reverse surge you might say as it felt like somebody was lightly applying the brakes) that only occasionally would show itself around the 3,000rpm mark, sometimes just above or below, it was just like somebody was backing off the throttle and after a split second would come back again or a light touch of brakes, sometimes repeatedly.
but would only do it while holding a light steady throttle so I tried to correct it with fueling but the PCV AT trims were fine so I started to think it must be an ignition map glitch and figured I would have to wait till I could get her to Neville.
Well the other week I was having issues with the injectors getting blocked by a dirty fuel load and I checked the stepper motor and TPS after I finished putting the injectors back in (just in case they move while mucking around with the injectors) and all was as it should be but when I went for a ride the "flat spot" was worse and doing it stuff but worse, more like a surge so out came TuneECU and I checked everything and did a 12 min tune while watching the screen I noticed the TPS voltages was moving up and down so after the 12 min tune I just used the TuneECU screen to watch things while playing the throttle and low and behold the TPS voltage was jumping all over the place when I got to the trouble some area. I happen to have a blue inerds TPS sitting on the shelve (as I knew eventually my black inerds one would give me touble so put it in did the tests and took it for a ride Eureka all is good.
So now apart from the well known issues of high idle and and erratic idle there is another symptom to be aware of
 
TuneECU is the coolest most practical free thing I have ever seen. Glad you got it sorted out without spending a lot of money. I got a lot of miles out of the black innards TPS, I was surprised how long it lasted before it gave up the ghost.
 
Some bikes report vibration at these RPM, maybe it effects the TPS at that point?
Good point Pete but I have never had vibration at around that area it actually runs quite smooth, I was just pointing out that there are other symptoms to look out for with a potentially failing TPS in case someone else out there was starting to get the symtom.
I am a fussy prick and like to get to the bottom of even the slightest abnormality.
It should be noted that my bike is a late 08 build so there may be 09's out there with the "black inerds" problematic TPS, I was under the impression that the "black inerds" TPS had been discontinued after 07, so just a point for ALL owners to keep an eye on!!
 

I think you are right there Hanso, my 09 model needed a TPS at 27months (4.5k miles). I don't know if its innards were black or blue as it was changed under warranty.

Useful post by the way - knowledge is power as is said.
 
The TPS is basically a rheostat. Since most of us cruise in the 2500-3000 rpm range, the rheostat develops a flat spot for lack of a better description. I had it happen to a black innards TPS and about 3000 miles ago I had to change out the blue innards one. While much better, the blue innards will also eventually wear. Since most of my riding is at highway speed, I can't avoid running in the target rpm range.
 
Good Point