P0124: Throttle or pedal position sensor A: intermittent signal
The signal from throttle or pedal sensor A drops out or jumps now and then. Usually a poor contact in the connector, a chafed wire or a worn sensor.
| Code | P0124 |
|---|---|
| System | Engine and transmission |
| Group | P01xx, Air and fuel metering |
| Type | Generic: it means the same on every make |
| Can you keep driving? | With care |
What P0124 means
The ECU needs to know how far the throttle valve (the flap that lets air into the engine) is open, or how far you are pressing the accelerator, to meter air and fuel. Which sensor counts as sensor A is decided by each manufacturer, although it is usually the throttle one. This code means the signal comes and goes: sometimes it is fine and sometimes it disappears or jumps.
Most common causes
- Loose sensor connector or corroded terminals
- Chafed wire that only makes contact with vibration or bumps
- Worn sensor track in the most used area
- Faulty throttle body with built-in sensor
- Loose or dirty engine earth
Symptoms
- Engine warning light coming on and going off
- Brief losses of power or occasional limp mode
- Jerking for no obvious reason
- Idle speed rising and falling
Can you drive with P0124?
With care You can drive, but the car may suddenly lose power when it drops into limp mode. Get it to a garage soon and avoid overtaking and fast roads in the meantime.
Open the bonnetthe in-depth explanation
How to check it
With the ignition on and the engine off, watch the position in live data while you press the pedal very slowly and gently move the wiring loom: if the value jumps when you touch a certain spot, that is where the poor contact is.
How to read and clear P0124 with Final OBD
Plug an OBD2 scanner in under the steering wheel, switch the ignition on and open Final OBD. Under Faults you’ll see P0124 with its description and whether it’s confirmed, pending or permanent.
If the engine stores it over standard OBD, with FREE you read this code with its explanation for nothing and clear it. With PRO you also read the faults of every control unit and clear them in all of them.
Clearing the code only turns the light off: if the cause is still there, it comes back. Clear it once it’s fixed, and not right before an inspection. It’s all in how to read and clear fault codes and in inspections and OBD.
Similar codes
- P0120 Throttle or pedal position sensor A: circuit fault
- P0121 Throttle or pedal position sensor A: out of expected range
- P0122 Throttle or pedal position sensor A: low signal
- P0123 Throttle or pedal position sensor A: high signal
- P0125 Engine takes too long to warm up for fuel mixture control
- P0126 The coolant temperature is too low for stable engine operation
- P0127 The intake air temperature is above normal
- P0128 Thermostat: coolant not reaching normal operating temperature
- P0100 Mass or volume air flow sensor circuit fault
- P0101 Air flow sensor range or performance problem
- P0102 Air flow sensor circuit low input
- P0103 Air flow sensor circuit high input
What does code P0124 mean?
The ECU needs to know how far the throttle valve (the flap that lets air into the engine) is open, or how far you are pressing the accelerator, to meter air and fuel. Which sensor counts as sensor A is decided by each manufacturer, although it is usually the throttle one. This code means the signal comes and goes: sometimes it is fine and sometimes it disappears or jumps.
Can you drive with P0124?
You can drive, but the car may suddenly lose power when it drops into limp mode. Get it to a garage soon and avoid overtaking and fast roads in the meantime.
How do you clear P0124?
With an OBD2 scanner and an app like Final OBD, which clears it for free if it’s stored by the engine control unit. But clearing it only turns the light off: if the cause isn’t fixed, P0124 comes back.
Read it on your car
Final OBD reads and clears engine faults through standard OBD for free, each one explained in plain English. With PRO it also reads the faults of every control unit, each make’s own codes included, and clears them in all of them.
