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For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Pontiac 🢒 2005 🢒 Wave 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Controls - 1.4L SOHC 🢒 DTC P1121

Circuit Description

The throttle position (TP) sensor circuit provides a voltage signal that changes relative to throttle blade angle. The TP sensor sends a voltage signal back to the engine control module (ECM) relative to the throttle plate opening. The voltage signal will vary from approximately 0.33 volts at closed throttle, to over 4.3 volts at wide open throttle (WOT).

The TP signal is used by the ECM for fuel control and for most of the ECM controlled outputs. The TP signal is one of the most important inputs used by the ECM for fuel control and most of the ECM controlled outputs. If the ECM detects a TP signal that is intermittently above the range of the TP sensor, diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P1121 will be set.

DTC Descriptor

This diagnostic procedure supports the following DTC:

DTC P1121 Throttle Position (TP) Sensor Circuit Intermittent High Voltage

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The TP sensor voltage indicates a throttle voltage intermittently greater than 4.9 volts.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets
    • The malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) will not illuminate.
    • The ECM will store conditions which were present when the DTC set as Failure Records data only. This information will not be stored as Freeze Frame data.
    • A history DTC is stored.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC
    • A history will clear after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles in which the diagnostic runs without a fault.
    • DTCs can be cleared by using the scan tool.
    • Disconnect the ECM battery feed for more than 10 seconds.

Diagnostic Aids

Check for the following conditions:

    • A poor connection at the ECM--Inspect harness connectors for backed-out terminals, improper mating, broken locks, improperly formed or damaged terminals, and a poor terminal-to-wire connection.
    • A damaged harness--Inspect the wiring harness for damage. If the harness appears OK, observe the throttle position display on the scan tool while moving connectors and wiring harnesses related to the TP sensor. A change in the display will indicate the location of the fault.

If DTC P1121 cannot be duplicated, reviewing the Failure Records vehicle mileage since the diagnostic test last failed may help determine how often the condition that caused the DTC to be set occurs. This may assist in diagnosing the condition.

Test Description

The number below refers to the step number on the diagnostic table:

  1. This test will determine an intermittent faulty TP sensor utilizing the MIN MAX 100 millisecond capture mode on the DMM.

Step

Action

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Engine Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Engine Controls Connector End Views

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Engine Controls?

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Engine Controls

2
  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the throttle position (TP) sensor electrical connector.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. Measure the voltage from the 5-volt reference circuit of the TP sensor to a good ground with a DMM.
  5. Lightly touch and move the related engine wiring harnesses and connectors for all 5-volt reference circuits while observing voltage. Any change in voltage indicates the area where a short to voltage may be found. Refer to Testing for Electrical Intermittents and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 3

3
  1. Measure the voltage from the signal circuit of the TP sensor to a good ground with a DMM.
  2. Lightly touch and move the related engine wiring harnesses and connectors while observing voltage. Any change in voltage indicates the area where a short to voltage may be found. Refer to Testing for Electrical Intermittents and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 4

4
  1. Measure the resistance from the low reference circuit of the TP sensor to a good ground with a DMM.
  2. Lightly touch and move the related engine wiring harnesses and connectors while observing resistance. Any change in resistance indicates the area where an open or high resistance may be found. Refer to Testing for Electrical Intermittents , Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 5

5

Test for poor connections at the TP sensor harness connector. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 6

6

Test for poor connections at the engine control module (ECM) harness connector. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 7

7

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Measure the resistance between the TP sensor signal terminal and the low reference terminal at the TP sensor using the MIN MAX function on the DMM.
  3. Slowly depress the accelerator pedal to the wide open throttle (WOT) position, then release the pedal back to the closed throttle position several times.

Did you observe a MAX value of infinite ohms or a MIN value of 0 ohms?

Go to Step 8

Go to Intermittent Conditions

8

Replace the TP sensor. Refer to Throttle Position Sensor Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 9

--

9
  1. Clear the DTCs with a scan tool.
  2. Turn OFF the ignition for 30 seconds.
  3. Start the engine.
  4. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that you observed from the Freeze Frame/Failure Records.

Did the DTC fail this ignition?

Go to Step 2

Go to Step 10

10

Observe the Capture Info with a scan tool.

Are there any DTCs that have not been diagnosed?

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List

System OK