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  #1  
Old 11-07-2010, 09:02 AM
Fordzilla80 Fordzilla80 is offline
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Default Stuck Throttle Positioning Sensor Screws.

Hey guys, along with my Ranger, i'm also working with a friend's 02 Ranger with 3.0. The TPS is giving off all kinds of intermittent readings, so she wants me to replace it. There's two stupid screws that hold it on to the TB, and they won't budge. I looked it up, and it seems this is a common problem on Fords, from Mustangs to Escorts.

So, anybody know of any ways to get this thing off? I don't want to completely destroy the TPS just to get it off. Once I get this off, I refuse to put screws back in it, so what kind of fastener should I get to replace the screws?

Thanks guys.
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  #2  
Old 06-12-2011, 08:47 PM
jdavila jdavila is offline
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Default Re: Stuck Throttle Positioning Sensor Screws.

xv
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Old 06-13-2011, 05:28 AM
Clinton Clinton is offline
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Default Re: Stuck Throttle Positioning Sensor Screws.

Drill them out then get new screws from the dealership, they are cheap enough. They tend to rust out pretty bad. You could try using stainless ones from a hardware store as well.
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Old 06-14-2011, 07:42 PM
Fordzilla80 Fordzilla80 is offline
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Default Re: Stuck Throttle Positioning Sensor Screws.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Clinton View Post
Drill them out then get new screws from the dealership, they are cheap enough. They tend to rust out pretty bad. You could try using stainless ones from a hardware store as well.
lol, I fixed the truck in question a long time ago Clinton.

There are two ways to remove the screws from the TPS.

1. Drive the truck around and get it nice and warmed up first. Then when you come home, unplug the connector from the TPS, and then grab a pair of vice grips, and something to cut the heads off of the screws, be it a grinder, or a Dremel like tool. Cut the heads off of the screws, and then pull the TPS off of the screw shafts. Once the TPS is off, get a good tight grip on the screw shafts, and turn them loose. The screws have a gracious amount of locktite on them from factory, and warming the truck up is necessary to deactivate the glue due to the heat. If the engine is cold, then the glue is active and will not let go.


2. For those without access to a grinder, the easiest way to remove stuck and/or stripped out screws from the TPS, is to drive the truck around and get it nice and warmed up first. Then, when you come home, unplug the connector from the TPS, grab a pair of vice grips, and clamp then down onto the screw heads. Once this is done, turn the screws loose. The vise grips will probably make contact with the TPS body. If you can, turn the vise grips right through the body of the TPS. If the vise grips do not remove enough of the TPS body plastic, you will probably have to knock some of the old TPS off with a screwdriver. It is cheap plastic, so it should break easily. Eventually you should be able to get the screw out.

As Clinton said, you can get replacement screws pretty easily.
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Old 03-05-2018, 01:32 PM
gralea gralea is offline
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Default Re: Stuck Throttle Positioning Sensor Screws.

I realize this thread is REALLY old, but there might be someone (like me) out there that may benefit from this.

My 1999 Ranger XLT with the 2.5 inline 4 was demonstrating TPS issues. Got a new sensor and -- yep -- two phillips head screws wouldn't budge. Hot engine - wouldn't move. Heat - wouldn't move. On the 2.5, there isn't a lot of room back there for grinders or vice-grips, so I loosened the 4 bolts holding the throttle body assembly (removed all of the associated sensor connectors and hoses) and carefully removed the throttle body assembly from the engine.

With the throttle body off, I could take it to the bench and have full access to the two stubborn TPS screws. Gentle persuasion with a small pair of vice-grips and each screw popped loose. Able to save and reuse them both. Reassembly was a piece of cake.

Just an FYI...
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