P0220: The engine computer sees a signal from throttle or pedal position sensor B that does not make sense
Throttle/pedal position sensor B circuit malfunction
Severity: Inspect soon
Throttle sensor faults can cut engine power or cause stalling, so the car should be checked soon.
P0220 in short
P0220 means the engine computer found a problem in the circuit of throttle or pedal position sensor B. Damaged wiring, a worn sensor or carbon in the throttle body are the listed causes. Expect poor acceleration or rough idle, so get it checked soon.
Throttle and pedal position sensors tell the computer how far the driver is asking the throttle to open. P0220 is set when sensor B's signal does not match what the computer expects for the engine speed.
TroubleCodes.net lists damaged or corroded wiring, defective sensors, misadjusted or worn sensors, carbon blocking the throttle plate and, rarely, the computer as causes.
TroubleCodes.net says the code applies to drive-by-wire systems. The Delaware DMV list gives the same title.
Most likely causes
These are general causes for this code across vehicles. None is specific to one make or model.
Cause 1: Damaged, corroded or short-circuited wiring or connector
Common general cause- Why it ranks here
- Listed first by TroubleCodes.net; easy to check.
- What would change this
- Rises if wiggling the harness or a damaged connector changes the reading. Falls if the wiring tests fine.
Cause 2: Defective or worn throttle or pedal position sensor
Common general cause- Why it ranks here
- The sensor is the source of the signal and wear makes it erratic.
- What would change this
- Rises if sensor voltage jumps or does not rise smoothly. Falls if the voltage is smooth and in range.
Cause 3: Carbon deposits or wear in the throttle body
Common general cause- Why it ranks here
- TroubleCodes.net lists carbon blocking throttle plate movement.
- What would change this
- Rises if the throttle plate is sooty or sticks. Falls if it is clean and moves freely.
What to test first
Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.
Step 1: Inspect the wiring and connectors, check nothing is blocking the pedal (such as a floor mat), and read other stored codes.
IfDamaged wiring or an obstruction
It meansFix it first.
Points to: Damaged, corroded or short-circuited wiring or connector
IfAll looks fine
It meansWatch the sensor output.
Step 2: Watch the sensor voltage on a scan tool while slowly pressing the pedal; it should rise smoothly with no spikes or dips.
Warning:The engine may rev or the car may move if the throttle is operated with it in gear; secure the vehicle and keep it in park.
IfVoltage jumps or drops out
It meansThe sensor or its wiring is suspect.
Points to: Defective or worn throttle or pedal position sensor
IfVoltage is smooth but the throttle is sticky or sooty
It meansClean and inspect the throttle body.
Symptoms
- Check engine light
- Poor acceleration or power loss
- Rough idle, hesitation or stalling
- Hard starting
How to fix
Parts and cost context
- Electronic throttle body:Carbon buildup can be cleaned; sensors that test bad are replaced. Get a quote.
- Accelerator pedal position sensor:Test sensor voltage before replacing the sensor.
Labor varies by vehicle and shop; get a quote before you approve a repair.
Compare used part prices on PartPriceGuideOn your vehicle
ChevroletYour car
2003 · Silverado 1500
Supported by vehicle dataGM bulletin 030604032 covers a check engine light with no drivability concerns and P0120, P0220, P1516 or P1518 set, on 2003 Silverado 1500 and related GM trucks. Whether it is still current is not verified.
2003 · Tahoe
Supported by vehicle dataGM bulletin 030604032 covers a check engine light with no drivability concerns and P0120, P0220, P1516 or P1518 set, on 2003 Tahoe and related GM trucks. Whether it is still current is not verified.
030604032 (chevrolet)Status unverified
Check engine light with no drivability concerns and P0120, P0220, P1516 or P1518
2003silverado-1500, tahoe, avalanche, suburban · issued · NHTSA 10002859
GM bulletin for 2003 Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban and Tahoe with the check engine light on, no drivability concerns, and P0120, P0220, P1516 or P1518 set. Only the NHTSA summary was read; it does not give the repair.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
GMCYour car
2003 · Sierra 1500
Supported by vehicle dataGM bulletin 030604032 covers a check engine light with no drivability concerns and P0120, P0220, P1516 or P1518 set, on 2003 Sierra 1500 and related GM trucks. Whether it is still current is not verified.
2003 · Yukon
Supported by vehicle dataGM bulletin 030604032 covers a check engine light with no drivability concerns and P0120, P0220, P1516 or P1518 set, on 2003 Yukon and related GM trucks. Whether it is still current is not verified.
030604032 (gmc)Status unverified
Check engine light with no drivability concerns and P0120, P0220, P1516 or P1518
2003sierra-1500, yukon · issued · NHTSA 10002859
GM bulletin for 2003 Sierra 1500 and Yukon with the check engine light on, no drivability concerns, and P0120, P0220, P1516 or P1518 set. Only the NHTSA summary was read; it does not give the repair.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
CadillacYour car
2003 · Escalade
Supported by vehicle dataGM bulletin 030604032 covers a check engine light with no drivability concerns and P0120, P0220, P1516 or P1518 set, on 2003 Escalade. Whether it is still current is not verified.
2003 · CTS
Supported by vehicle dataGM bulletin 01108A covers intermittent no power, stall and the MIL on with throttle position, TAC and TCM codes, P0220 among them, on 2003 CTS. Whether it is still current is not verified.
030604032 (cadillac)Status unverified
Check engine light with no drivability concerns and P0120, P0220, P1516 or P1518
2003escalade · issued · NHTSA 10002859
GM bulletin for 2003 Escalade with the check engine light on, no drivability concerns, and P0120, P0220, P1516 or P1518 set. Only the NHTSA summary was read; it does not give the repair.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
01108AStatus unverified
Intermittent no power and stall with throttle position, TAC and TCM codes including P0220
2003cts · issued · NHTSA 10005466
GM bulletin for 2003 CTS with intermittent no power, stalling and the MIL on with throttle position, throttle actuator control and TCM codes, P0220 among them. Only the NHTSA summary was read; it does not give the repair.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
Related codes
P0220 questions
What does P0220 mean?
The engine computer found a problem in the circuit of throttle or pedal position sensor B.
Sources and review
- P0220 – Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch B Circuit Malfunction
- On-Board Diagnostic Trouble Codes (generic code title list)
- Chevrolet bulletin 030604032: Check engine light with no drivability concerns and P0120, P0220, P1516 or P1518
- Gmc bulletin 030604032: Check engine light with no drivability concerns and P0120, P0220, P1516 or P1518
- Cadillac bulletin 030604032: Check engine light with no drivability concerns and P0120, P0220, P1516 or P1518
- Cadillac bulletin 01108A: Intermittent no power and stall with throttle position, TAC and TCM codes including P0220
- Last reviewed
- Written by
- Saurabh K.
- Editorial review
- Pending
- Technician review
- Technician review pending
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