P2101
The engine computer sees a problem in the throttle actuator motor circuit or the motor's response, so actual throttle position doesn't match what was commanded
Severity: Inspect soonElectronic throttle and accelerator pedal codes
On most modern cars the accelerator pedal is not connected to the throttle by a cable. A pedal sensor reports how far the pedal is pressed, and the engine computer opens the throttle with an electric motor while two throttle position sensors report where it actually is. Because unwanted throttle opening is a safety risk, the computer cross-checks the sensors and, if they disagree, limits power (often called limp mode).
How these codes differ
- Throttle position sensor codes come in two groups: P0120 to P0124 for sensor A and P0220 to P0229 for sensor B, each with circuit, low, high and range or performance versions. Pedal position sensors have their own codes (P2120 to P2134 for sensors D, E and F).
- Correlation codes (P2135 for throttle sensors A and B, P2138 for pedal sensors D and E) mean both signals are present but disagree with each other. Both sensors usually sit in one housing and share a connector, so the whole sensor assembly and its connector are the common lead, rather than one wire.
- Throttle actuator codes (for example P2101 motor circuit range or performance, P2111 and P2112 stuck open or closed, P2119 closed-position performance, and P0638 range or performance) are about the motor and the throttle plate moving as commanded.
- The pedal and throttle sensors are checked for plausibility against each other because the throttle must always be able to return to idle when the driver lifts off the pedal; that is why these faults often bring reduced power or a raised idle rather than a light alone.
Codes that show up together
- A throttle or pedal sensor code together with a sensor reference voltage code (P0641 or P0651): these sensors run on the computer's 5-volt reference supply, so a supply problem can make them look faulty. Check the supply before replacing the throttle body or pedal.
Electronic throttle and accelerator pedal codes
P2104
The engine computer has forced the engine to idle as a fail-safe because of a throttle control fault
Severity: Inspect soonP2106
The engine computer has limited engine power as a fail-safe because of a throttle control fault
Severity: Inspect soonP2111
The engine computer commanded the electronic throttle to close further but saw it stay more open than expected
Severity: Inspect soonP2112
The engine computer commanded the electronic throttle to open but saw it stay more closed than expected
Severity: Inspect soonP2119
The electronic throttle body's actual position doesn't match the position the engine computer expects
Severity: Inspect soonP2122
The signal from accelerator pedal position sensor D (usually the first pedal sensor) is lower than its normal range
Severity: Inspect soonP2135
Two throttle or pedal position sensor signals (A and B) that should agree with each other don't
Severity: Inspect soonP2138
Two accelerator pedal position sensor signals (D and E) that should agree with each other don't
Severity: Inspect soonP0121
The throttle position sensor A signal doesn't agree with what the engine computer expects, even though the voltage is within range
Severity: Inspect soonP0122
The throttle position sensor A signal voltage is below its normal range
Severity: Inspect soonP0123
The throttle position sensor A signal voltage is above its normal range
Severity: Inspect soonP2110
The engine computer has deliberately limited engine speed because of a fault it found in the electronic throttle system
Severity: Inspect soonP2127
The signal from the second accelerator pedal position sensor (sensor E) is below its normal range
Severity: Inspect soonP0068
The airflow measured by the MAF or MAP sensor doesn't match the airflow the computer expects for the current throttle opening
Severity: Inspect soonP0222
The second throttle (or pedal) position sensor signal is reading lower than its circuit should ever allow, so the computer treats it as an open or shorted circuit
Severity: Inspect soonP0638
The electronic throttle is not reaching the position the engine computer asked for, so the throttle actuator control on bank 1 is out of its expected range
Severity: Inspect soonP2172
The engine computer has seen a sudden jump in airflow that the throttle position can't account for, which usually means air is leaking in somewhere
Severity: Inspect soonP2173
The engine computer has seen more airflow into the engine that the throttle position can't account for, which usually means air is leaking in somewhere
Severity: Inspect soonP1295
On Kia, the electronic throttle is in a power-management (limited power) fault
Severity: Inspect soonP2118
Throttle motor drawing the wrong amount of current
Severity: Inspect soonP2128
Accelerator pedal or throttle sensor E signal reading too high
Severity: Inspect soonP2176
Throttle closed position has not been learned
Severity: Inspect soonP1516
Throttle actuator control (TAC) module fault (GM)
Severity: Inspect soonP2107
The throttle actuator control module has reported an internal processor fault
Severity: Inspect soonP2121
The accelerator pedal or throttle position sensor "D" signal does not make sense compared with the other throttle signals
Severity: Inspect soonP0120
Throttle or pedal position sensor A signal outside its normal range
Severity: Inspect soonP0221
Throttle or pedal position sensor B signal outside its normal range
Severity: Inspect soonP1125
On Chevrolet, the accelerator pedal position sensors are faulty or disagree
Severity: Inspect soonP0124
Throttle or pedal position sensor A signal dropping out intermittently
Severity: Severity not verifiedP0220
The engine computer sees a signal from throttle or pedal position sensor B that does not make sense
Severity: Inspect soonP0223
Throttle or accelerator pedal position sensor B sends a signal that is too high
Severity: Inspect soonP0224
The engine computer sees a signal from throttle or pedal position sensor B that does not make sense, on and off
Severity: Inspect soonP0225
The computer sees a signal from the third throttle or pedal position sensor (C) that does not make sense for the conditions, so it flags a circuit fault.
Severity: Inspect soonP0226
The signal from the third throttle or pedal position sensor (C) is in range but does not match what the engine is doing.
Severity: Inspect soonP0227
The signal from the third throttle or pedal position sensor (C) is lower than the circuit should ever produce.
Severity: Inspect soonP0228
The signal from the third throttle or pedal position sensor (C) is higher than the circuit should ever produce.
Severity: Inspect soonP0229
The signal from the third throttle or pedal position sensor (C) drops out or jumps now and then rather than staying wrong.
Severity: Inspect soonP2100
The computer has detected an open circuit in the control wiring of the throttle motor
Severity: Inspect soonP2103
The computer sees a high voltage condition in the circuit that drives the throttle motor
Severity: Inspect soonP2108
The throttle actuator control module reports that its performance is not what the engine computer expects
Severity: Inspect soonP2299
Brake pedal and accelerator pedal signals disagree with each other
Severity: Severity not verified
Sources and review
- Final Regulation Order: 13 CCR §1968.2, Malfunction and Diagnostic System Requirements (OBD II), 2004 and subsequent model-year passenger cars, light-duty trucks and medium-duty vehicles (2015 amendments)
- 49 CFR 571.124, Standard No. 124: Accelerator control systems
- Accelerator pedal sensor: function and design
- TPS sensor: function and troubleshooting
- Automotive Polygamy (shared 5-volt sensor reference circuits)
- Last reviewed
- Written by
- Saurabh K.
- Editorial review
- Pending
- Technician review
- Technician review pending
This page explains what a code usually means; it is not a substitute for a professional inspection. How we source and review · Report an error