93 transsport 3.8L - Throttle Position sensor

Here are the symptoms....
Van starts and idles ok, but when I get up to hiway speeds, the check engine light comes on and I lose power. Dumping the codes I got 21 and 22, both related to the TPS.
what i would like to do....
I have purchased a new TPS and would like to install it. The problem is, the two small screws that hold the TPS in place are in the most awkward location. I know it can be done if I remove the throttle body, but I was hoping to avoid this out of fear of creating more problems. I am hoping that someone out there has done this before and can tell me the "trick" to doing this painlessly. I have the the service manual but it does not cover TPS replacement.

any help would be greatly appreciated.

Removing the throtle body is no risk and I did it once to clean the MAF sensor hot wire that had accumulated some clay and responded very slowly ....but I have also removed the TPS once without the throttle body. I used pliers from the side to loosen the screws and after less than one turn executed bit by bit , both came off easily. I think they had to stay with the TPS while I removed the unit. installing it back was done similarly. Position something under to avoid loosing the screws.

Removing the throtle body is no risk and I did it once to clean the MAF sensor hot wire that had accumulated some clay and responded very slowly ....but I have also removed the TPS once without the throttle body. I used pliers from the side to loosen the screws and after less than one turn executed bit by bit , both came off easily. I think they had to stay with the TPS while I removed the unit. installing it back was done similarly. Position something under to avoid loosing the screws.

Thanks LMP. I'll try the long nose vise grip trick first, if that does not work, I will remove the throttle body. quick question... Did you have to replace a gasket or any o-rings when you put the throttle body back on? If there is a gasket, would automotive silicone be a suitable replacement? I ask because the only place around here that would carry those kind of parts would be the dealer....(very inconvenient)

Thanks again

I did not replace anything nor use silicone.
BTW, I paid a look to TPS on my car and it made me remember that I used a short screwdriver bit --that I worked with the pliers-- to loosen the far side screw....that was several years ago. Honest, I think it is more simple to take that throttle body out.

How the heck do you get the throttle body off? I removed all the nuts (4) that i saw/felt and the thing felt like it was still attached. Is there another bracket or nut? Thanks

I guess I must have used some polite hammer blow with a piece of wood between hammer and body to unstick the gasket....
www.avigex.ca/xport/throttlebody.jpg

How the heck do you get the throttle body off? I removed all the nuts (4) that i saw/felt and the thing felt like it was still attached. Is there another bracket or nut? Thanks

If I don't remember wrong, one bolt is like doublebolt. first there is a nut holding some bracet and then you have to remove the bolt itself. I might remeber this wrong :frown:, but I remeber having problems removing throttle body.

Thanks... I seen the double nut but it just spun on the other side... I got got it off fairly easy by removing the thermostat housing and unloosened the screws with vise grips...