The throttle (or accelerator pedal) position sensor's signal is reading lower than it should — the computer sees this as an implausible/low voltage condition. On drive-by-wire cars especially, this can affect how the engine responds to your right foot.
Symptoms
- Reduced engine power or the car entering a "limp mode" with capped RPM/speed
- Hesitation or a delayed response when pressing the accelerator
- Rough or unstable idle
- In some cases, the engine may not rev past idle at all until the fault clears
Likely causes
- Corroded, damaged, or loose connector at the throttle body or pedal sensor
- A failed throttle position sensor or pedal position sensor
- A short circuit to ground somewhere in the sensor's wiring harness
How to diagnose it
- Check the connector at the throttle body (or under the accelerator pedal) for corrosion or a loose fit first
- Test the sensor's voltage output across its full range of motion with a multimeter or scan tool
- Check the wiring harness for a short to ground if the sensor itself tests within spec
Typical fixes & cost
- Replace the throttle position or pedal position sensor60–250 EUR
- Repair a shorted wiring harness section or damaged connector80–250 EUR
Code names are compiled from open/standardized SAE and ISO references. Explanations, symptoms, causes and fixes are original. Covers generic (P0/C0/B0/U0) codes only — manufacturer-specific codes are planned for a future update.
AS
Reviewed by Artyom SemenovAutomotive Editor · Fact-checked by Yauheni Kapliarchuk, Editor-in-Chief