For 1990-2009 cars
Engine Data Sensors
OBD II Symbol Description Notice
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice

### Circuit Description

The throttle position (TP) sensor is a potentiometer whose resistance value changes along with the throttle valve position. The powertrain control module (PCM) provides a 5 volt reference voltage to the TP sensor. The PCM reads the voltage across the TP sensor and uses the voltage to calculate the percentage of throttle valve opening. The TP sensor resistance decreases as the throttle valve opening increases. When the TP sensor resistance decreases the voltage being monitored by the PCM increases. The TP sensor resistance increases when the throttle valve opening decreases, therefore the voltage being monitored by the PCM will decrease.

### Conditions for Running the DTC

• | Engine speed is less than 3,500 RPM.

• | The MAF sensor is indicating that the maximum flow rate -- minimum flow rate is more than or equal to 25.5 g/s.

• | The MAP sensor is less than 26 kPa and throttle valve opening is less than 35 degrees.

• | The MAP sensor is more than 67 kPa and throttle valve opening is more than 35 degrees.

### Conditions for Setting the DTC

• | Difference between expected TP sensor and actual input is more than a specified value.

• | The above conditions are present for at least 3 seconds.

### Action Taken When the DTC Sets

• | The PCM illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) after two consecutive ignition cycles in which the diagnostic runs with the fault active.

• | The PCM records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. This information will be stored in the Freeze Frame buffer.

### Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

• | The MIL will turn OFF after three consecutively passing cycles without a fault present.

• | A History DTC will clear after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles without a fault.

• | DTCs can be cleared by using a scan tool or by disconnecting the PCM battery feed.

### Diagnostic Aids

Check for any of the following conditions:

• | If a DTC P0122 or P0123 are also set, diagnose those DTCs first.

• | A damaged wiring harness -- Inspect the wiring harness for damage. If the harness appears to be OK, observe the TP display on the scan tool while moving connectors and wiring harnesses related to the TP sensor. A change in the TP display will indicate the location of the fault.

• | A binding or sticking throttle plate could cause a DTC P0121 to set.

If a DTC P0121 is intermittent, driving the vehicle under the following conditions can verify whether the fault is present. Perform the scan tool Clear DTC Information function. Road test the vehicle while monitoring the DTC P0121 diagnostic on the scan tool under the Not Ran Since Code Cleared selection in the DTC Information menu. If a DTC P0121 appears in the Not Ran Since Code Cleared list, the P0121 diagnostic has not yet run. When the DTC P0121 does not appear in the Not Ran Since Code Cleared list, the P0121 diagnostic has run. If the MIL is NOT ILLUMINATED, and there is no PENDING DTC Status in DTC Information, the P0121 diagnostic has passed. DTCs MUST BE CLEARED in order to view the CURRENT STATUS of the Not Ran Since Code Cleared list. DO NOT FORGET that the Not Ran Since Code Cleared list only indicates that the test has run, not whether the test passed or failed. The DTC Information screen must be checked for CURRENT or PENDING status, in order to determine the outcome of the diagnostic test involved.

An intermittent malfunction may be caused by a fault in the TP sensor electrical circuit. Inspect the wiring harness and components for any of the following conditions:

• | Backed out terminals

• | Improper mating of terminals

• | Broken electrical connector locks

• | Improperly formed or damaged terminals

• | Faulty terminal to wire connections

• | Physical damage to the wiring harness

• | A broken wire inside the insulation

• | Corrosion of electrical connections, splices, or terminals

If you cannot duplicate the DTC P0121, the information included in the Freeze Frame data can be useful in determining vehicle operating conditions when the DTC was first set.

### Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers in the diagnostic table.

1. The Powertrain OBD System Check prompts the technician to complete some basic checks and store the Freeze Frame data on the scan tool if applicable. This creates an electronic copy of the data taken when the fault occurred. The information is then stored in the scan tool for later reference.

2. This step checks whether the malfunction that caused the DTC P0121 is still present. Driving the vehicle under these conditions will verify whether the fault is present. After performing the scan tool Clear DTC Information function, the DTC P0121 diagnostic can be monitored on the scan tool under the Not Ran Since Code Cleared selection in the DTC Information menu. If a DTC P0121 appears in the Not Ran Since Code Cleared list, the P0121 diagnostic has not yet run. When the DTC P0121 does not appear in the Not Ran Since Code Cleared list, the P0121 diagnostic has run. If the MIL is NOT ILLUMINATED, and there is no PENDING DTC Status in DTC Information, the P0121 diagnostic has passed. DTCs MUST BE CLEARED in order to view the CURRENT STATUS of the Not Ran Since Code Cleared list. DO NOT FORGET that the Not Ran Since Code Cleared list only indicates that the test has run, not whether the test passed or failed. The DTC Information screen must be checked for CURRENT or PENDING status, in order to determine the outcome of the diagnostic test involved.

3. This step inspects the TP sensor performance. If there are any breaks, dips, or fixed values observed in the resistance readings while opening and closing the throttle, the TP sensor is faulty.

Step | Action | Value(s) | Yes | No
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
1 | Did you perform the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check? | -- | Go to Step 2 | Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check
2 | Is a DTC P0122 or P0123 set? | -- | Go to DTC P0122 Throttle Position (TP) Sensor Circuit Low Voltage or DTC P0123 Throttle Position (TP) Sensor Circuit High Voltage | Go to Step 3
3 |

1. Operate the engine until normal operating temperatures are reached.
2. Turn ON the ignition, leaving the engine OFF.
3. Install a scan tool.
4. Observe the TP sensor voltage parameter on the scan tool.

Is the TP sensor voltage within both specified values?

0.5-1.2 volts with the throttle at idle position

3.4-4.7 volts with the throttle at wide open position

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 5

4 |

1. Turn ON the ignition, leaving the engine OFF.
2. Perform the scan tool Clear DTC Information function.
3. Operate the vehicle within the Freeze Frame conditions as specified or until the DTC P0121 diagnostic has run.

Is a DTC P0121 set?

--

Go to Step 5

Go to Diagnostic Aids

5 |

1. Turn OFF the ignition.
2. Disconnect the TP sensor electrical connector.
3. Connect a DMM between terminal 1 and terminal 3.
4. Measure the resistance between the TP sensor terminals 1 and 3 with a DMM.

Is the resistance within the specified values?

4-6k ohms

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 8

6 |

1. Check that the throttle plate is closed (at idle).
2. Connect a DMM between terminal 1 and terminal 2.
3. Measure the resistance between the TP sensor terminals 1 and 2 with the DMM.

Is the resistance within the specified values?

0.5-1.0k ohms

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 8

7 |

1. Leave the DMM connected between terminal 1 and terminal 2.
2. Slowly move the throttle from closed to open while observing the DMM.

Does the resistance value change smoothly from low to high, while staying within the specified values?

0.5-6.0k ohms

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 8

8 | Replace the TP sensor. Refer to Throttle Position Sensor Replacement . Is the action complete? | -- | Go to Step 11 | --
9 |

1. Inspect the TP sensor electrical circuits for any of the following conditions:

• | A short to ground

• | A short to voltage

• | High electrical resistance

• | An intermittent or poor connection -- Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems.

2. Repair as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Was a repair necessary?

--

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 10

10 | Important: The replacement PCM must be programmed. Replace the PCM. Refer to Powertrain Control Module Replacement/Programming . Is the action complete? | -- | Go to Step 11 | --
11 |

1. Perform the scan tool Clear DTC Information function and road test vehicle within Freeze Frame conditions that set the DTC.
2. Review the scan tool data and check for DTCs. The repair is complete if no DTCs are stored.

Are any DTCs displayed on the scan tool?

--

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List

System OK