GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

DTC P1272 Without RPO CTF

Table 1: APP Sensor Position Table

Circuit Description

The accelerator pedal position (APP) sensor is mounted on the accelerator pedal control assembly. The sensor is made up of 3 individual sensors within 1 housing. Three separate signal, low reference, and 5-volt reference circuits are used in order to interface the APP sensor with the engine control module (ECM). Each sensor has a unique functionality to determine pedal position as shown in the table below. The ECM uses the APP sensor to determine the amount of acceleration or deceleration desired by the person driving the vehicle via fuel injector control. This DTC sets if the ECM determines an out of range condition with the APP sensor.

APP Sensor Position Table

APP Sensor

Actual Pedal Position

% Depressed as Observed on a Scan Tool

Voltage as Observed on a Scan Tool

1

Pedal at rest

0

.52 - .80

1

Pedal at full travel

100

2.12 - 2.78

2

Pedal at rest

0

4.25 - 4.53

2

Pedal at full travel

100

2.24 - 2.93

3

Pedal at rest

0

3.95 - 4.13

3

Pedal at full travel

100

2.69 - 3.16

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • The ignition switch is in the crank or run position.
    • The ignition voltage is between 7-16 volts.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • The APP sensor 2 and APP sensor 3 are more than 10 percent out of range of each other.
    • The above condition is present for less than 1 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.
    • If one or more APP sensor DTCs are set for a single APP sensor, 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.
    • If all three APP sensors are out of range, the APP indicated angle is limited to 0 percent. The control module only allows the engine to idle.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

    • A current DTC Last Test Failed clears when the diagnostic runs and passes.
    • Clear the DTC with a scan tool.

Step

Action

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Engine Controls Schematics

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check-Engine Controls?

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Engine Controls

2

  1. Observe the Freeze Frame/Failure Records data for this DTC.
  2. Turn OFF the ignition for 30 seconds.
  3. Start the engine.
  4. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC as specified in the supporting text or as close to the Freeze Frame/Failure Records data that you observed.

Does the DTC fail this ignition?

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Select the diagnostic trouble code (DTC) option using the scan tool.
  2. Lightly touch and move the related APP wiring harnesses and connectors while monitoring the DTC Information.

Did this DTC fail this ignition, during the above test?

Go to Step 4

Go to Intermittent Conditions

4

Is DTC P1271 also set?

Go to DTC P1271

Go to Step 5

5

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the APP sensor harness connector.
  3. Turn ON the ignition.
  4. With a test lamp connected to ground, test for voltage at the APP sensor 3, 5-volt reference circuit.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 8

6

With a test lamp connected to ground, test for voltage at the APP sensor 3 signal circuit.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 9

7

Connect a test lamp between the APP sensor 3, 5-volt reference circuit and the APP sensor 3 low reference circuit.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 10

8

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the ECM harness connector that contains the APP sensor 3, 5-volt reference circuit.
  3. With a DMM, test the APP sensor 3, 5-volt reference circuit for high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 13

9

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the ECM harness connector that contains the APP sensor 3 signal circuit.
  3. Turn ON the ignition.
  4. With a DMM, test the APP sensor 3 signal circuit for high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 13

10

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the ECM harness connector that contains the APP sensor 3 low reference circuit.
  3. With a DMM, test the APP sensor 3 low reference circuit for high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 13

11

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 15

Go to Step 12

12

Replace the APP sensor assembly.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 15

--

13

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the ECM. 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 15

Go to Step 14

14

Replace the ECM. Refer to Engine Control Module Replacement/Restore Fuel Rate Data .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 15

--

15

  1. Use a scan tool to clear the DTCs.
  2. Turn OFF the ignition for 30 seconds.
  3. Start the engine.
  4. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC as specified in the supporting text.

Does the DTC run and pass?

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 2

16

With a scan tool, observe the stored information, Capture Info.

Does the scan tool display any DTCs that you have not diagnosed?

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List

System OK