Throttle Position Sensor Question

[LTJGWorth]

I just replaced the TPS (again) on my 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 5.9L. I first went to Autozone and picked on up and brought it back. When I went to put it on, I realized it was exactly the same as my old one except that the connection was different. Took it back to Autozone to get a different one. He said he had another one listed on the computer, but it had to be ordered. Then he thought that he'd check a year newer and checked for a 1998 Ram. They had one in stock and he went back and got it and it was exactly the same as mine. Is there any reason that a TPS for a 1998 will fit on my 97 but the one for the 97 won't?

[fredjacksonsan]

It may depend on when your truck was built and what parts they had on hand. So if built late in 97 when the 98's were almost ready to come out, they may have run out of the 97 design, or decided to use the upgraded part. I once had an 80 Mopar that had a complete 81 rear axle/brakes/etc in it.

[LTJGWorth]

I kind of thought that maybe the truck was a 97 1/2. That makes sense.

[fredjacksonsan]

What made the TPS go out? Was it all that stuf with the fuses awhile back you think?

[LTJGWorth]

The first time it went out the truck wouldn't idle. This time, it would work for a while, then idle too high, then the CEL came on and wouldn't go off. I could still drive the truck, but the RPMs were random. Not sure what made it go out. The new one came with more gaskets than the old one had, so that could have something to do with it. Then again, these things go out often.

[BleedDodge]

That's odd. Do you have the new or old style dash?

My truck has the build date on a label stuck to the steel beside the door latch on the driver's side.

[fredjacksonsan]

Crazy. Here's hoping it stays fixed for awhile, anyway.

[LTJGWorth]

Yea it's got the old dash (94-97 style). I don't know about the build date. I'll have to check that out. I thought it was odd. It will make me think more when I go to buy new parts for this thing. Especially mechanical and electrical.

[BleedDodge]

It should be a white label with a black ram head logo that says something along the lines of "Built with pride by the people of Dodge"...

[LTJGWorth]

You have a newer truck don't you Bleed? I didn't see any lable at all on my driver's door. Must have not started putting them in there until after 1997. I'm looking at my Haynes manual, but it doesn't say anything about the exact build date on these things. I'm going to try to find out how to find out the build date, because I should be able to tell by looking at the VIN.

[LTJGWorth]

Ok, this is all I got from my VIN number:
Mexico; Dodge; Truck; 6,001 - 7,000 lbs; Ram Cab Chassis/Ram Pickup 4x2; Ram 1500; 1994-1997 CC 2 Door; 5.9L 8cyl MPI-LDC; Check Number 2; 1997; Lago Alberto
Nothing about the exact build date. Oh well.

[BleedDodge]

Mine is a 1997, on the white label it says 8/96, so August of 1996 was when it was built, for the 1997 model year.

[LTJGWorth]

Where exactly is the lable at? Maybe I just overlooked it.

[BleedDodge]

Open your driver side door, and look beside the latch.

[LTJGWorth]

Nope, it's not there. No lable of any kind on either door. I even checked all the lables in the engine compartment as well.