GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Circuit Description

The throttle position (TP) sensors 1 and 2 are located within the throttle body assembly. Each sensor has the following circuits:

    • A 5-volt reference circuit
    • A low reference circuit
    • A signal circuit

The TP sensor provides the engine control module (ECM) with a signal voltage proportional to the throttle plate movement. The TP sensor 1 signal voltage at closed throttle is near the 5-volt reference and decreases as the throttle plate is opened. The TP sensor 2 signal voltage at closed throttle is near the low reference and increases as the throttle plate is opened. When TP sensor 1 signal voltage is not within the predicted range, this DTC will set.

DTC Descriptor

This diagnostic procedure supports the following DTC:

DTC P0120 Throttle Position (TP) Sensor 1 Circuit

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • The ignition switch is in the crank or run position.
    • DTC P0641 is not set.
    • The ignition voltage is greater than 2.25 volts.
    • DTC P0120 runs continuously when the above conditions are met.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

TP sensor 1 voltage is less than 0.27 volt or more than 4.67 volts 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.

Step

Action

Values

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

  1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  2. Observe the throttle position (TP) sensor voltage with the accelerator pedal in the rest position with a scan tool.

Does the scan tool indicate voltage less than the first value or greater than the second value?

0.27 V

4.67 V

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 3

3

Is DTC P2135 also set?

--

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle

Go to Step 4

4

  1. Observe the Freeze Frame/Failure Records for this DTC.
  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.

Does the DTC fail this ignition?

--

Go to Step 5

Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections

5

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the throttle body harness connector.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. Observe the TP sensor 1 voltage parameter with a scan tool.

Does the scan tool indicate that the voltage is less than the specified value?

0.25 V

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 11

6

  1. Connect a fused jumper wire between the TP sensor 5-volt reference circuit and the TP sensor signal circuit at the throttle body harness connector.
  2. Observe the TP sensor 1 voltage parameter with a scan tool.

Does the scan tool indicate the TP sensor 1 voltage is more than the specified value?

4.8 V

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 8

7

  1. Turn OFF the ignition for 90 seconds.
  2. Allow the engine control module (ECM) to completely power down. This can be verified by the loss of communication on the scan tool.
  3. Measure the resistance from the low reference circuit of the TP sensor to the ECM case with the DMM.

Is the resistance less than the specified value?

5 ohms

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 13

8

Measure the voltage of the TP sensor 1 5-volt reference circuit with a scan tool.

Does the DMM indicate voltage more than the specified value?

4.8 V

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 9

9

Does the DMM indicate voltage less than the specified value on the TP sensor 1 5-volt reference circuit?

5 V

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 16

10

Test the TP sensor 1 signal circuit for an open or for high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 12

11

Test the TP sensor 1 signal circuit for a short to voltage. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 19

12

Test the TP sensor 1 signal circuit for a short to ground. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 19

13

Test the TP sensor 1 low reference circuit for an open or for high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 19

14

Test the TP sensor 1 5-volt reference circuit for an open or high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 15

15

Test the TP sensor 1 5-volt reference circuit for a short to ground. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 19

16

Test the TP sensor 1 5-volt reference circuit for a short to voltage. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 21

--

17

Inspect for poor connections at the throttle body harness connector. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 18

18

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

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 21

--

19

Inspect for poor connections at the ECM harness connector. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 20

20

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

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 21

--

21

  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 22.

22

Important: Be aware that repairing one individual condition may correct more than one DTC.

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