P0223 Throttle or accelerator pedal position sensor B sends a signal that is too high

Throttle/pedal position sensor B circuit high

P0223 in short

P0223 means the computer sees the second throttle or accelerator pedal position sensor signal reading too high. Causes are a worn throttle body or pedal sensor, or wiring faults. Some cars only show the light, but others hesitate or stall, so get it checked soon and stop if the car loses power.

On a drive-by-wire car there is no cable from the pedal to the throttle. The computer reads two sensors on the throttle body, and often two on the pedal, and compares them. P0223 is set when the second sensor, called B, reports a voltage that is too high.

TroubleCodes.net lists damaged or corroded wiring, a defective throttle or pedal sensor, wear in the throttle body and carbon deposits that stop the throttle plate moving as causes, and says the computer itself is rarely at fault.

Symptoms range from nothing but the light to poor acceleration, stalling or no start. Nissan has a bulletin to reprogram the computer on the 2020-2021 Frontier when the code appears without drivability problems.

Most likely causes

  1. Worn or failed throttle body position sensor

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    TroubleCodes.net names defective throttle sensors, throttle body wear and carbon deposits. Owners on a 2008 Altima, 2009 Fusion and 2019 C 300 report throttle-related codes with stalling or no acceleration.
    What would change this
    Rises if the throttle sensor B voltage does not follow the sensor A voltage on a scan tool as the throttle is opened by hand-free command, or the plate sticks. Falls if both throttle sensors agree and the pedal sensors do not.
    How to test the electronic throttle body

  2. Accelerator pedal position sensor

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    The code title covers the pedal sensor as well as the throttle, and TroubleCodes.net lists defective pedal sensors as a cause. A 2019 C 300 owner reports pedal sensor and throttle body failures together.
    What would change this
    Rises if pedal sensor voltages disagree or jump while the pedal is moved slowly. Falls if they track smoothly and agree.
    How to test the accelerator pedal position sensor

  3. Damaged, corroded or shorted wiring or connectors

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    TroubleCodes.net says a wiring short to positive is the typical fault location for a high-input code, and corroded wiring and connectors are first on its cause list.
    What would change this
    Rises if the connector shows corrosion or the signal reads at reference voltage when the sensor is unplugged. Falls if wiring tests normal and the sensor itself shifts.

  4. Engine computer software (2020-2021 Nissan Frontier)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Nissan's bulletin has the ECM part number checked and reprogrammed if applicable when P0223 appears with no drivability concerns. The summary is unverified.
    What would change this
    Rises on a 2020-2021 Frontier with a light only and no drivability problem. Falls if the truck hesitates or stalls, or the software is current.
    How to test the engine control module (ecm / pcm)

What to test first

Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.

  1. Read all stored codes and freeze-frame data. Note whether the car has stalled, hesitated or lost power, and any other throttle or pedal codes such as P0122, P0123 or P2135.

    Low riskTool: OBD-II scan tool

  2. With a scan tool, watch the throttle sensor A and B and pedal sensor voltages while the key is on and the pedal is pressed slowly through its travel.

    Use cautionTool: scan tool with live data

    Warning:Do this with the engine off and the car in park with the parking brake on, so the throttle cannot move the car, and keep fingers away from the throttle plate, which can move when the key is on.

    • IfThe throttle sensor B voltage is high, jumps or does not match sensor A

      It meansThe throttle body sensor or the wiring to it is at fault.

      Go to step 3

    • IfThe pedal sensor voltages disagree or jump

      It meansThe pedal sensor is the suspect.

      Points to: Accelerator pedal position sensor

    • IfAll readings track and agree

      It meansThe fault may be intermittent; wiggle test the wiring.

      Go to step 3

  3. Check the throttle body and pedal connectors and wiring for corrosion, damage and short to power, and look for carbon on the throttle plate.

    Best left to a shopTool: digital multimeter, wiring diagram

    Warning:Throttle body cleaning or replacement may need a relearn procedure. An incorrect repair can leave the throttle stuck open or closed, so a shop should do it.

Symptoms

  • Check engine light
  • Poor acceleration or hesitation
  • Rough idle or hard starting
  • Engine stalls or loses power while driving Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.

Compare with: Check engine light with loss of power

How to fix

  1. Ask a dealer whether your VIN has an open bulletin or software update for throttle position codes.

  2. Write down every code and whether the car stalled, and share it with the shop, since the throttle and pedal share several codes.

Parts and cost context

  • Electronic throttle body:A 2008 Altima owner reports replacing the throttle body twice and the pedal once without a fix, so test the pedal, wiring and throttle before buying parts. Labor varies; get a quote.
  • Accelerator pedal position sensor:The pedal sensor is a separate part from the throttle body on most cars.

Labor varies by vehicle and shop; get a quote before you approve a repair.

Compare used part prices on PartPriceGuide

On your vehicle

Nissan

  • 2020–2021 · Frontier

    Supported by vehicle data

    Nissan bulletin NTB21-080 reprograms the ECM if applicable when P0223 sets with no drivability concerns. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • 2008 · Altima

    Supported by vehicle data

    A 2008 Altima owner reports P0223, P0123 and P2135 with a gas pedal that sometimes did not accelerate; the throttle body was replaced twice and the pedal once and it continued.

  • NTB21-080Status unverified

    MIL on with P0223, P0507 and/or P2135

    2020–2021frontier · NHTSA 10202255

    For a light with these codes and no drivability concerns, confirm the ECM part number and reprogram the ECM if applicable.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Ford

  • 2009 · Fusion

    Supported by vehicle data

    A 2009 Fusion owner reports stalling on the highway with P0122, P0223 and P0110, with the throttle actuator control system found faulty.

Cadillac

  • 2003 · CTS

    Possible — needs testing

    GM bulletin 01108A covers intermittent no power and stalling with throttle position and TAC codes including P0223 on the 2003 CTS.

  • 01108AStatus unverified

    Intermittent no power, stall, MIL with TPS and TAC codes

    2003cts · NHTSA 10005466

    Covers intermittent no power and stalling with throttle and actuator control codes that include P0223. The summary does not give the fix.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • P2135Two throttle or pedal position sensor signals (A and B) that should agree with each other don't

    Shares causes Supported by vehicle data

    P2135 is the throttle or pedal sensor A and B correlation fault. Nissan's Frontier bulletin names P0223 and P2135 together, and several complaints show both.

  • P0123The throttle position sensor A signal voltage is above its normal range

    Shares causes Supported by vehicle data

    P0123 is the matching high input code for sensor A. Complaints on the Altima and C 300 show P0123 and P0223 together.

  • P0122The throttle position sensor A signal voltage is below its normal range

    Same system Supported by vehicle data

    P0122 is the sensor A low input code. A 2009 Fusion and a 2019 C 300 show it together with P0223.

All Electronic throttle and accelerator pedal codes

P0223 questions

What is the difference between P0223 and P0123?

Both are high input faults. P0123 is for the first throttle or pedal sensor, and P0223 is for the second, called B. Many cars set both.

Is it safe to drive with P0223?

It depends on the symptoms. Some cars only show the light, but others hesitate or stall, so get it checked soon and stop driving if the car loses power.

Sources and review

  1. P0223 throttle position sensor B / accelerator pedal position sensor B high input — TroubleCodes.net
  2. Nissan NTB21-080: MIL on with P0223, P0507 and/or P2135 (2020-2021 Frontier) — Nissan North America
  3. NHTSA complaint ODI 11467242, 2009 Ford Fusion: stalled on the highway; codes P0122, P0223 and P0110, throttle system fault — NHTSA
  4. NHTSA complaint ODI 11747712, 2019 Mercedes-Benz C 300: engine shuts off with throttle body and pedal sensor codes including P0223 — NHTSA
  5. NHTSA complaint ODI 10874118, 2008 Nissan Altima: gas pedal fails to accelerate; P0223, P0123 and P2135 with throttle body replaced twice — NHTSA
  6. GM 01108A: intermittent no power or stall with TPS and TAC codes including P0223 (2003 CTS) — General Motors
  7. On-Board Diagnostic Trouble Codes (generic code title list) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
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