GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Saturn 🢒 2006 🢒 VUE - FWD 🢒 DTC 🢒 DTC P1516

Circuit Description

The commanded throttle position is compared to the actual throttle position. Both values should be within a calibrated range of each other. The engine control module (ECM) continuously monitors the commanded and actual throttle positions. If the ECM detects that the difference in these values are greater than the calibrated range, DTC 1516 will set.

DTC Descriptor

This diagnostic procedure supports the following DTC:

DTC P1516 Throttle Actuator Control (TAC) Module Throttle Actuator Position Performance

Conditions for Running the DTC
    • The ignition is ON.
    • The ignition voltage is greater than 8 volts.
    • The system is not in Battery Saver Mode.
    • The engine is running.
    • DTC P0068 is not set.
    • DTC P1516 runs continuously when the above conditions are met.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The difference between the predicted and the actual throttle position is more than a calibrated amount for more than 0.5 second.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets
    • The control module illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) when the diagnostic runs and fails.
    • The control module records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. The control module stores this information in the Freeze Frame and/or the Failure Records.
    • The control module commands the TAC system to operate in the Reduced Engine Power mode.
    • A message center or an indicator displays Reduced Engine Power.
    • Under certain conditions the control module commands the engine OFF.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC
    • The control module turns OFF the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) after 3 consecutive ignition cycles that the diagnostic runs and does not fail.
    • 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 emission related diagnostic.
    • Clear the MIL and the DTC with a scan tool.

Test Description

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

  1. The throttle valve is spring loaded in a slightly open position and should move in either direction without binding. The throttle valve should always be under spring pressure.

    2.

  2. When the ignition is turned ON, the ECM operates the throttle control motor to verify the integrity of the system prior to start-up. This can be seen by the momentary flash of the test lamp as the ignition is turned ON.

Step

Action

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Engine Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Engine Controls Connector End Views or Engine Control Module Connector End Views

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle

2

Are DTCs P0120, P0220, P2120, P2125, P2135, P2138, P1275 and P1280 also set?

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle

Go to Step 3

3

Important: The throttle angle and pedal angle may not correspond during this procedure.

  1. Turn ON the ignition with the engine OFF.
  2. Observe the TP sensor 1 and 2 angle parameters.
  3. Apply and release the accelerator pedal several times.

Does the TP sensor 1 and 2 angle parameters increase as the pedal is applied and decrease as the pedal is released?

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 5

4
  1. Observe the Freeze Frame/Failure Records for this DTC.
  2. Start the engine.
  3. 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 5

Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections

5
  1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  2. Probe both sides of the ETC fuse with a test lamp.

Does the test lamp illuminate on both sides of the fuse?

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 16

6
  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Probe both sides of the ETC fuse with a test lamp.

Does the test lamp illuminate on both sides of the fuse?

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 7

7
  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the engine control module (ECM) connector containing the ETC ignition 1 voltage circuit.
  3. Turn ON the ignition.
  4. Probe the ignition 1 voltage circuit with a test lamp.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 23

8

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Inspect the throttle body for the following conditions:
    3. • A throttle valve that is NOT in the rest position
    • A throttle valve that is binding open or closed
    • A throttle valve that is free to move open or closed WITHOUT spring pressure.

Did you find any of these conditions with the throttle body?

Go to Step 24

Go to Step 9

9

Important: The test lamp may momentarily flash when testing these circuits. This is considered normal.

  1. Disconnect the throttle body harness connector.
  2. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  3. Probe the throttle actuator control (TAC) motor control 1 and 2 circuits with the test lamp connected to ground.

Did the test lamp illuminate and remain illuminated on either circuit?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 10

10

Important: The test lamp may momentarily flash when testing these circuits. This is considered normal.

Probe the TAC motor control 1 and 2 circuits with the test lamp connected to battery positive.

Did the test lamp illuminate and remain illuminated on either circuit?

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 11

11

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Connect the test lamp between the TAC motor control 1 and battery ground.
  3. Observe the test lamp as you turn ON the ignition.

Does the test lamp flash ON and then turn OFF?

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 15

12
  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Connect a test lamp between the TAC motor control 2 circuit and battery ground.
  3. Observe the test lamp as you turn ON the ignition.

Does the test lamp flash ON and then OFF?

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 15

13
  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the ECM connector that contains the TAC motor control circuits.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. Probe the TAC motor control 1 and 2 circuits with the test lamp connected to ground.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 20

Go to Step 19

14
  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the ECM connector that contains the TAC motor control circuits.
  3. Probe the TAC motor control 1 and 2 circuits with the test lamp connected to battery positive.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 19

15
  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the ECM connector that contains the TAC motor control circuits.
  3. Test the TAC motor control 1 and 2 circuits for an open or for high resistance.
  4. Repair the circuit as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 26

Go to Step 19

16

Test the ETC ignition 1 voltage circuit for a short to ground. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 26

Go to Step 17

17

Test the motor control 1 circuit for a short to ground. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 26

Go to Step 24

18

Test for a poor connection or terminal tension at the throttle body connector. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 26

Go to Step 24

19

Test for a poor connection or terminal tension at the ECM. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 26

Go to Step 22

20

Repair the short to voltage on the circuit where the test lamp remained illuminated. Refer to Wiring Repairs s.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 26

--

21

Repair the short to ground on the circuit where the test lamp remained illuminated. Refer to Wiring Repairs .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 26

--

22

Repair the short to voltage on the ETC ignition 1 voltage circuit. Refer to Wiring Repairs .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 26

--

23

Repair the open or the high resistance in the ignition 1 voltage circuit. Refer to Wiring Repairs .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 26

--

24

Replace the throttle body assembly. Refer to Throttle Body Assembly Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 26

--

25

Replace the ECM. Refer to Control Module References for replacement, setup, and programming.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 26

--

26
  1. Clear the DTCs with a scan tool.
  2. Turn OFF the ignition for 90 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 27

27

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

System OK