P0220: Throttle or pedal position sensor B circuit malfunction
The ECU is not getting a valid signal from the second throttle or accelerator pedal position sensor. Usually a connector or the wiring.
| Code | P0220 |
|---|---|
| System | Engine and transmission |
| Group | P02xx, Fuel and injectors |
| Type | Generic: it means the same on every make |
| Can you keep driving? | With care |
What P0220 means
This code means the signal from sensor B is missing or inconsistent. On cars with an electronic throttle, both the throttle body and the accelerator pedal carry two position sensors that cross-check each other for safety. Whether sensor B belongs to the throttle or the pedal is up to each manufacturer. Having lost one of the two, the ECU cannot double check what your foot is asking for, so it limits power.
Most common causes
- Loose, dirty or corroded throttle body or pedal connector
- Broken or chafed wire in the sensor harness
- Worn or faulty position sensor B (usually built into the throttle body or pedal)
- Problem with the 5 volt supply it shares with other sensors
- ECU fault (rare)
Symptoms
- Engine or throttle warning light on
- Limp mode with reduced power
- Car does not respond properly to the accelerator
- Rough or slightly high idle
Can you drive with P0220?
With care You can drive with care, but the car often goes into limp mode with little power and may respond poorly to the throttle. Get it to a garage soon.
Open the bonnetthe in-depth explanation
How to check it
With the ignition on and the engine off, watch both pedal position signals live (and the throttle ones, if the reader shows them) while pressing the pedal slowly. Both should rise smoothly together; if one drops out or jumps, that part is the suspect.
How to read and clear P0220 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 P0220 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
- P021C The cylinder 9 injection timing is not working properly
- P021D The cylinder 10 injection timing is not working properly
- P021E The cylinder 11 injection timing is not working properly
- P021F The cylinder 12 injection timing is not working properly
- P0221 Throttle or pedal position sensor B range or performance problem
- P0222 Throttle or pedal position sensor B circuit low
- P0223 Throttle or pedal position sensor B circuit high
- P0224 The circuit of throttle or pedal position sensor B fails intermittently
- P0200 Injector circuit malfunction
- P0201 Injector circuit malfunction, cylinder 1
- P0202 Injector circuit malfunction, cylinder 2
- P0203 Injector circuit malfunction, cylinder 3
What does code P0220 mean?
This code means the signal from sensor B is missing or inconsistent. On cars with an electronic throttle, both the throttle body and the accelerator pedal carry two position sensors that cross-check each other for safety. Whether sensor B belongs to the throttle or the pedal is up to each manufacturer. Having lost one of the two, the ECU cannot double check what your foot is asking for, so it limits power.
Can you drive with P0220?
You can drive with care, but the car often goes into limp mode with little power and may respond poorly to the throttle. Get it to a garage soon.
How do you clear P0220?
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, P0220 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.
