Circuit Description
The accelerator pedal position (APP) sensor is mounted on the accelerator pedal assembly. The sensor is actually 3 individual APP sensors within 1 housing. Three separate signal, low reference and 5-volt reference circuits connect the APP sensor assembly to the throttle actuator control (TAC) module. Each sensor has a unique functionality. The APP sensor 1 signal is pulled up to the reference voltage as the accelerator pedal is depressed, from below 1 volt at 0 percent pedal travel, with the pedal at rest. To above 2 volts at 100 percent pedal travel, with the pedal fully depressed. The APP sensor 2 signal is pulled down to the low reference from above 4 volts at 0 percent pedal travel to below 2.9 volts at 100 percent pedal travel. The APP sensor 3 signal is pulled down to low reference from above 3.8 volts at 0 percent pedal travel to below 3.1 volts at 100 percent pedal travel. TP sensor 1 and APP sensor 1 share a 5 volt reference circuit that is connected within the TAC module. TP sensor 2 and APP sensor 2 share a 5-volt reference circuit that is connected within the TAC module. If only 1 APP sensor DTC is set, the redundant APP systems allow the TAC system to continue operating normally. One APP sensor DTC will not cause the Reduced Engine Power message to be displayed. Two APP sensor DTCs for the same sensor also will not cause the Reduced Engine Power message to be displayed.
This DTC incorporates 3 different diagnostic tests:
| • | APP sensor 1 to APP sensor 2 correlation and APP sensor 1 to APP sensor 3 correlation |
| • | Accelerator pedal minimum position correlation between APP sensor 1 and APP sensor 2, and between APP sensor 1 and APP sensor 3 |
| • | APP sensor 1 signal shorted to a 5-volt reference, ground or the APP sensor 2 signal |
If the PCM detects one or more of the APP sensor 1 tests are out of range, DTC P2121 sets.
DTC Descriptor
This diagnostic procedure supports the following DTC:
DTC P2121 Accelerator Pedal Position (APP) Sensor 1 Performance
Conditions for Running the DTC
| • | DTCs P0606, P2108, or U0107 are not set. |
| • | The ignition switch is in the crank or run position. |
| • | The ignition voltage is greater than 5.23 volts. |
| • | DTC P2121 runs continuously once the above conditions are met. |
Conditions for Setting the DTC
| • | APP sensor 1 disagrees with APP sensor 2 by more than 10.5 percent and APP sensor 1 disagrees with APP sensor 3 by more than 13 percent. |
| • | All of the above conditions are present between 0.14-1.0 second. |
Action Taken When the DTC Sets
| • | The control module stores the DTC information into memory when the diagnostic runs and fails. |
| • | The malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) will not illuminate. |
| • | The control module records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. The control module stores this information in the Failure Records. |
| • | If one or more APP sensor DTCs are set for a single APP sensor, the following occurs: |
| - | The control module will not command Reduced Engine Power mode. |
| - | The control module will use the remaining two APP sensors to calculate throttle response. |
| • | If certain multiple APP sensor DTCs are set for more than one APP sensor, the following occurs: |
| - | The control module commands Reduced Engine Power mode. |
| - | The APP indicated angle is limited to a predetermined value to limit the amount of throttle control. |
| - | The message center displays Reduced Engine Power. |
| • | If all three APP sensors are out of range, the following occurs: |
| - | The control module commands Reduced Engine Power mode. |
| - | The APP indicated angle is limited to 0 percent. The control module only allows the engine to idle. |
| - | The message center displays Reduced Engine Power. |
Conditions for Clearing the DTC
| • | A current DTC Last Test Failed clears when the diagnostic runs and passes. |
| • | A history DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles, if no failures are reported by this or any other non-emission related diagnostic. |
| • | Clear the DTC with a scan tool. |
Diagnostic Aids
| • | Inspect the TAC module connectors for signs of water intrusion. When water intrusion occurs, multiple DTCs could be set with no DTC circuit or component conditions found during diagnostic testing. |
| • | When the TAC module detects throttle movement with a DTC P2120 set, a DTC P2121 also sets. |
| • | When the TAC module detects a condition within the TAC system, more than 1 TAC system related DTC may set. This is due to the many redundant tests that run continuously on this system. Locating and repairing 1 individual condition may correct more than 1 DTC. Disconnecting components during testing may set additional DTCs. Keep this in mind when reviewing the Capture Info. |
| • | For an intermittent, refer to Intermittent Conditions . |
Test Description
The numbers below refer to the steps numbers in the diagnostic table.
-
This step determines if a communication condition exists.
-
This step isolates an internal APP sensor failure. The condition may only occur at a certain accelerator pedal position. Monitoring the APP angles for sensor 2 and sensor 3 is an accurate way of verifying the actual position of the pedal. The APP angles for all 3 sensors should be within a few percentages of each other. When the pedal is at rest, the APP angle for all 3 sensors should be 0 percent. When the pedal is fully depressed, all APP angles should be 100 percent.
-
The APP sensor 1 shares a common 5-volt reference circuit with the TP sensor 1. Monitoring the TP sensor 1 voltage aids in diagnosing the APP sensor 5-volt reference and the low reference circuits. If the scan tool displays near 0 volts then the circuits are OK.
-
With the TAC module still connected, this test will help determine a short to the signal circuit either within the TAC module or the wiring.
-
This step determines whether the TAC module or a shorted circuit is causing the condition.
-
When the TAC module detects a condition within the TAC system, more than 1 TAC system related DTC may set. This is due to the many redundant tests that run continuously on this system. Locating and repairing 1 individual condition may correct more than 1 DTC. Disconnecting the components during testing may set additional DTCs. Keep this in mind when reviewing the Capture Info.
Step | Action | Values | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Schematic Reference: Engine Controls Schematics Connector End View References: Powertrain Control Module Connector End Views , , or Engine Controls Connector End Views | ||||
1 | Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle? | -- | Go to Step 2 | Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle in Vehicle DTC Information |
Is DTC U0107 also set? | -- | Go to DTC U0107 | Go to Step 3 | |
3 |
Important: Do not depress the accelerator pedal.
Did any other throttle actuator control (TAC) module or accelerator pedal position (APP) sensor DTC set except P1125? | -- | Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle in Vehicle DTC Information | Go to Step 4 |
4 | Observe the APP sensor Agree/Disagree parameters, with a scan tool. Does the scan tool indicate Disagree for any of the APP Agree/Disagree parameters? | -- | Go to Step 6 | Go to Step 5 |
Does the scan tool indicate APP sensor 1 angle within 10.5 percent of the APP sensor 2 angle and APP sensor 1 angle within 13 percent of the APP sensor 3 angle during the above test? | -- | Go to Diagnostic Aids | Go to Step 6 | |
Does the scan tool indicate TP sensor 1 voltage at the specified value? | 0.0 V | Go to Step 7 | Go to Step 11 | |
7 |
Does the scan tool indicate TP sensor 1 voltage at specified value? | 0.0 V | Go to Step 8 | Go to Step 12 |
8 |
Does the scan tool indicate APP sensor 1 voltage near the specified value? | 5.0 V | Go to Step 14 | Go to Step 9 |
Test for a short between the APP sensor 1 signal circuit and all other APP circuits at the APP sensor harness connector, with a DMM. Does the DMM indicate a short to another circuit? | -- | Go to Step 10 | Go to Step 13 | |
Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | Go to Step 18 | Go to Step 15 | |
11 |
Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | Go to Step 18 | Go to Step 15 |
12 |
Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | Go to Step 18 | Go to Step 15 |
13 |
Did you find an open or high resistance? | -- | Go to Step 18 | Go to Step 15 |
14 | Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the APP sensor. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Repairing Connector Terminals in Wiring Systems. Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | Go to Step 18 | Go to Step 16 |
15 | Inspect for poor connections at the harness connectors of the TAC Module. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Repairing Connector Terminals in Wiring Systems. Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | Go to Step 18 | Go to Step 17 |
16 | Replace the APP sensor assembly. Refer to Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor Replacement . Did you complete the replacement? | -- | Go to Step 18 | -- |
17 | Replace the TAC module. Refer to Electronic Throttle Actuator Control Module Replacement . Did you complete the replacement? | -- | Go to Step 18 | -- |
18 |
Did the DTC fail this ignition? | -- | Go to Step 2 | Go to Step 19 |
Observe the Capture Info with a scan tool. Are there any DTCs that have not been diagnosed? | -- | Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle in Vehicle DTC Information | System OK | |
