P1516: Throttle actuator control (TAC) module fault (GM)
P1516 throttle actuator control module (GM)
Severity: Inspect soon
GM bulletins pair P1516 with reduced engine power, so the truck or car may lose power while driving; get it checked soon.
It gets more serious if:
- Stop: Stop driving if engine power drops sharply in traffic or the vehicle will not keep speed safely.
P1516 in short
On Chevrolet and GMC vehicles, P1516 is a throttle actuator control (TAC) module code that GM bulletins pair with a Service Engine Soon light and reduced engine power. Causes in bulletins include intermittent faults and a frozen throttle body in cold weather. Get it checked soon.
Throttle-by-wire GM engines use a TAC module to move the throttle. GM bulletins list P1516 as a TAC module code and pair it with reduced engine power, along with P0120, P0220, P1518 and others.
GM 3040 says the 2003 truck condition is normally very intermittent. An Aveo bulletin traced P1516 with P2106 and P2110 to a throttle body frozen shut in cold weather. A 2006-2007 bulletin lists P1516 with P2108 and U0107.
Pick your make
P1516 is a manufacturer-specific code: its meaning depends on who built the car.
Other makes: meaning not verified. Check with a scan tool that reads manufacturer definitions.
Most likely causes
Cause 1: Intermittent fault in the throttle actuator control system
Supported by vehicle data- Why it ranks here
- GM bulletins 3040 and 3089 describe P1516 with reduced engine power on 2003-2006 trucks and note the condition is normally very intermittent.
- What would change this
- Rises if the fault comes and goes with reduced power. Falls if it is steady.
Cause 2: Throttle body frozen in cold weather (Aveo)
Supported by vehicle data- Why it ranks here
- GM 06-06-04-050 ties P1516 with P2106/P2110 to a throttle body frozen shut on 2006-2007 Aveo.
- What would change this
- Rises on an Aveo in freezing weather. Falls in warm weather.
Cause 3: Throttle actuator control module
Supported by vehicle data- Why it ranks here
- GM 06-06-04-042 lists P1516 among TAC module codes with reduced engine power on 2006-2007 trucks.
- What would change this
- Rises if a bulletin covers the VIN. Falls if the throttle body tests faulty.
What to test first
Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.
Step 1: Ask a dealer whether a GM bulletin applies to your VIN for P1516, and have the throttle body and its wiring checked.
IfIt is a cold-start problem on an Aveo
It meansFrozen throttle body may apply.
IfThe fault is intermittent with reduced power
It meansAn intermittent throttle control fault is likely.
Points to: Intermittent fault in the throttle actuator control system
IfA TAC module bulletin applies
It meansThe module may be at fault.
Symptoms
- Service Engine Soon light
- Reduced engine power message
- Poor acceleration in cold weather
- Sharp loss of power in traffic Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.
How to fix
Step 1: Ask a dealer whether your VIN has an open GM bulletin for P1516.
On your vehicle
ChevroletYour car
2003 · Silverado
Supported by vehicle dataGM 3040 pairs P1516 with a Service Engine Soon light or reduced engine power on 2003 trucks; the bulletin says the condition is normally very intermittent. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.
2006–2007 · Aveo
Supported by vehicle dataGM 06-06-04-050 ties P1516 with P2106 and P2110 to a frozen or stuck-closed throttle body in cold weather. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.
3040Status unverified
Service Engine Soon and/or reduced engine power, P0120, P0220, P1516, P1518
2003avalanche, silverado, suburban · NHTSA 10009377
Condition is normally very intermittent.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
3089Status unverified
Service Engine Soon and reduced engine power with P1516
2003–2006avalanche, corvette, express · NHTSA 10009520
Covers reduced engine power with P1516; P0120, P0220, P1514, P1515, P1518 and P2135 may also be present.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
060604042Status unverified
TAC module codes P2108, P1516, U0107, reduced engine power
2006–2007silverado-1500, tahoe, suburban-1500, express-1500 · NHTSA 10020880
Covers TAC module codes with reduced engine power.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
060604050Status unverified
Poor acceleration, throttle body frozen shut, P1516, P2106, P2110
2006–2007aveo · NHTSA 10020863
Cold-weather frozen or stuck closed throttle body.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
GMCYour car
2003 · Sierra
Supported by vehicle dataGM 3040 pairs P1516 with a Service Engine Soon light or reduced engine power on the 2003 Sierra. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.
3040Status unverified
Service Engine Soon and/or reduced engine power, P0120, P0220, P1516, P1518
2003avalanche, silverado, suburban · NHTSA 10009377
Condition is normally very intermittent.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
Related codes
P1516 questions
Is it safe to drive with P1516?
It can drop the engine into reduced power. Get it checked soon and avoid driving in traffic if power falls sharply.
Sources and review
- GM 3089: Service Engine Soon and reduced engine power with DTC P1516
- GM 3040: Service Engine Soon and/or reduced engine power, DTCs P0120, P0220, P1516 and/or P1518
- GM 06-06-04-050: Poor acceleration, throttle body frozen shut or stuck closed, DTCs P1516, P2106 and/or P2110
- GM 06-06-04-042: Throttle actuator control (TAC) module codes, MIL/SES DTCs P2108, P1516, U0107, reduced engine power
- What Does The P1516 Code Mean?
- DTC P1516, P2101, P2119 or P2176 (Saab 9-4X workshop information)
- Last reviewed
- Written by
- Saurabh K.
- Editorial review
- Pending
- Technician review
- Technician review pending
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