I've searched and I have found some information but my question is still sorta unanswered so I'm going to ask so I do this right.

Sometimes while driving all warning lights (not brake) will flash dimly. Sometimes after 1st start up, it'll idle fine, then chug and die. Also, once, while pulling out of a parking lot, my car didn't die but my check engine popped on and I was unable to steer. Also, my clock sometimes will disappear until I gently hit above it a few times. I asked my friend about all this and he said his car does the same and it's the TPS.

I'm wondering if anyone has a link (or could provide the pictures) to pictures, and an explaination on what to adjust and how to adjust it? Thanks!

 

I doubt it is your tps. Search Hailers threads and that will tell you how to adjust if you feel you must. Sounds like electrical gremlins to me.

 

He said the dying once or twice after starting it and the steering issue was most likely the TPS.

 

sounds like a failing alternator, battery, or bad connection at the battery terminals (since your power steering likely died - hence why you were "unable" to steer)

 

The steering has nothing to do with the TPS, so he was bullshitting you. Test the TPS with an Ohm meter and see if it is within spec. The ONLY time I have ever seen all the warning lights come on is when the key is to the On position, or when my alternator belt has snapped indicating an alternator failure. Your clock not working is because of bad solder joints and is easily fixable covered in the FAQ. I would test the alternator or have a parts store test it to see if it is putting out what it should.

 

All I did to fix the steering was take it out of 1st and put it back in.

 

your steering column and what gear the car is in have nothing to do with each other, just like your steering and your TPS...

have you tried to pull codes? If your CEL came on then the codes will be stored into memory. if you don't know how to do that, check here

let us know what pops up.

 

Also, screw the Ohm check for TPS it will cause you to go mad. Do the volt check by back probing the proper place on the TPS connector, Narrow should be 1v and Full should be .88v or close to .8v. I just used a small paperclip stuck inside the plug till I hit the metal and got a signal, was much easier and much much less confusing/time consuming.

 

Okay, I was driving last night and it happened again, when the steering went out. My car died, I had to turn it off and back on. I was when I was turning out of my drive way. Any suggestions now?

 

Sounds electrical to me, like perhaps a bad wire or bad ground. Especially with it being intermittent like it is. Or even perhaps the power steering CPU?

 

No don't "screw the Ohm check" I was talking about checking it for a clean sweep and to see if it was within spec. Setting the TPS should be done by the volt method.

 

this will happen if battery voltage drops to a certain level or if the alternator is unplugged