symptoms - idle bounces around at idle when cold, high when warm.

checked reference voltage with a meter - 4.8 volts, bounces up and down like .1 or .2 volts, but seems to bounce around more the longer i keep the wires connected

at idle - .3 -.7 VERY erratic when not rotating the throttle and the voltage does not raise smoothly when i rotate the throttle.

need some opinions before i spend the money... bad tps?

 

i think i fixed it?

so i found a ground wire that looked like it wasnt doing too good that was hooked to the maf sensor, so i replaced it. let it run, still didnt fix the issue.

tested the TPS, still not good. same readings as before

so.. i basically unplugged the TPS, tested it straight from the computer, and what do ya know.. perfect readings. no jumps, constant 4.88 volts. the other was like .27 or something.. low? but no erratic voltage jumps.

so i plugged it in.. tested it again, and again PERFECT. wtf??

so i started it and let it run for about 10mins to let it warm up, and realized i had forgotten to plug the iac valve in (which explains why it was idling really low?) so i shut the engine off, plugged it back in, and now.. the idle in park stays at 650-700rpms, and drops maybe 200 when put in drive!

did i reset the computer not knowing it? maybe a loose connection within the TPS that i fixed by playing with the wires? just thinking outloud. maybe im stumped cause im not a mechanic or stumped cause im an idiot (probably both) but still seems strange to me

hopefully all is well in the morning