Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting CEL P1120, P1121

I was driving along today and the CEL came on and it gave code P1120, which translates to Throttle Position Sensor out of range, and P1121 which means Throttle Position Sensor Inconsistent with Mass Air Flow Sensor. I reset them and it went away for a while but its back now and only P1120 has returned.Any recommendations at what needs to be done about this, ex tps replacement... Also the transmission hasn't been downshifting when you go from drive to 2nd, without giving it some gas, fluid is full, clean, not burnt and is not brown at all. Any recommendations on either subject would be great.

Could be the TPS...it's a cheap part ($25) so I'd replace it anyway.

I dealt with a 1993 Ford Escort that was giving a code that means something similar to P1121 -- problem turned out to be two things: a vacuum leak (someone replaced the PVC hose with heater hose and it didn't last long with a 90 degree bend and split) and a messed up mass air flow sensor (had a piece of hair on the sensor wire).

I could have removed the hair, but I just got a $25 MAF at a wrecking yard.

You can ohm it out if you have access to a meter and know how to do this. The TPS is simply a potentiometer that tells the strategy the throttle angle.

Typical symptoms of a bad TPS is erratic idle or pulsing at low speeds. If you have been seeing this, I'd change it for sure.

I also had to gun the engine to get it to shift when my TPS was bad.

Alright just called Ford they have one, hopefully get it replaced today. Can you replace it w/o removing the throttle body? It looks like you can, what can I expect to see when I pull the old one off?

It's really, really easy to change a TP sensor. The part is right on the trottle body and is easy access. There are 2 screws and 1 connector. You may want to consider changing it yourself.

The TB does not need to be removed. When you pull the TPS off, you will see a small tab sticking out (looks kind-of like a flat-head screwdriver). The TPS is spring loaded and simply slips on the tab, then, with a twist to realign the holes, the screws and connector go back on.

Oh I will do it my self, just couldn't find the procedure in my ford service cd. Thanks, I'll post the results.

Sometimes the TPS screws are on really tight so you may want to use a 1/4" socket, a ratchet, and a phillips bit to get it off.

Yeah I noticed that , well got it done and no more CEL, still have the stupid tranny thing though, perhaps the range selector is goin out..?

If you haven't done it since replacing the TPS, disconnect the battery for a few minutes to reset the computer and see if that makes the transmission shift correctly.