TPS

[Mitchen]

How durable are throttle position sensors? I know you can drill a hole in one that's playing up to clear all the gunk and oil, but does that resolve most problems?

Reason I'm asking, is that I've just found out the TPS for my car is NLA, therefore if at any stage, whether it be now or in 5 years time, it breaks completely. I have no option but to buy a second hand 25 year old replacement. Crazy how such an important part could be discontinued.

[jimbom30cab]

It is just a simple leaf contact switch, nothing complicated at all. You can therefore get non-BMW ones which to be fair will do the job fine.

[Mitchen]

Really? Apparently my one's different to the bog standard three pin one, because I've got an EH gearbox, which means my TPS has a six pin socket and works with the auto gear box ECU as well.

[jimbom30cab]

oh yer sorry i forgot you had an auto. On the plus side there should be plenty of spare second hand ones about.

[Brianmoooore]

It is just a simple leaf contact switch, nothing complicated at all. You can therefore get non-BMW ones which to be fair will do the job fine.

Wide open throttle part is a simple leaf switch, but the idle switch is a miniature microswitch. It's the idle switch that gives the most problems, and I think this is an industry standard size that can be replaced, if you can open up the casing to do so.

If the EH combined switch/pot. becomes unavailable, it shouldn't be too difficult to replace it with a conventional pot. (as used on the E30 iS and a multitude of later cars) to keep the gearbox happy, and to add a couple of electronic voltage operated switches, triggered by the same pot. to control the M1.3 ECU.

[Mitchen]

It is just a simple leaf contact switch, nothing complicated at all. You can therefore get non-BMW ones which to be fair will do the job fine.

Wide open throttle part is a simple leaf switch, but the idle switch is a miniature microswitch. It's the idle switch that gives the most problems, and I think this is an industry standard size that can be replaced, if you can open up the casing to do so.

If the EH combined switch/pot. becomes unavailable, it shouldn't be too difficult to replace it with a conventional pot. (as used on the E30 iS and a multitude of later cars) to keep the gearbox happy, and to add a couple of electronic voltage operated switches, triggered by the same pot. to control the M1.3 ECU.

I would be well out of my depth doing that!

But it just so happens in the depths of google I've managed to find one.. but it's also about 3 times the price of the normal one .. at least I know it's in existence though

http://www.mister-auto.co.uk/en/throttl ... 0!402.html

[jimbom30cab]

The mister-auto stuff is good also, i buy everything i can from them, their customer service is also excellent.

[Mitchen]

Yeah I've not had any problems with them.. sometimes they can be expensive, and others they're cheaper than ECP.. but at that price I won't be buying this sensor from them anytime soon though... lets hope brake cleaner does the job