So for the second day, I spent about 30 minutes checking and rechecking my TPS about 5 different times. I am dead certain my TPS is perfect.

'88 GXL Automatic

Symptoms:
Rarely, though currently more commonly, the idle will drop to almost a stall at red lights after which my car lurches forward. Very annoying when I'm braking lightly right behind someone. This is most common closer to when I've just started the car.

Recently, idle surge in park at 1500 RPM. Doesn't change with warm-up.
Throttle surge at the cusp of cruise and acceleration at any speed. Doesn't change with warm-up.
I hear a hiss in the engine bay (in park) that starts at about 1k RPM and gets louder as I rev higher. Doesn't change with warm-up.

Recent changes:
All new belts. Tension is correct - checked and rechecked. I shorted the positive on my alternator to ground for a split second, though no problems with any electrical system since then. I disconnected and reconnected the positive wire on my battery.

Questions:
Any obvious things I missed?
Can I use brake cleaner to hunt for a vacuum hose problem or would it eat my old rubber?
Also, when checking the TPS, the plug is arranged like so:
a
--
| |
c b

I tested a-b as 1k at idle, 5k at WOT.
a-c reads 5k at idle, 0.5k at WOT. Is the a-c reading a problem? No one mentions it in TPS threads, though the FSM says it should read 5k at idle, 5k at WOT, which makes no sense anyway since then a simple resistor, not a pot, would make more sense.

Thanks,
Goofy

 

Check your TPS settings at the ECU. On stubborn cars, that is the only way to get it right

 

Well, she's running fine again. Stupid gremlins. If she acts up then I'll check it at the ECU. Thanks for putting up with me, Icemark.