P0221: Throttle or pedal position sensor B range or performance problem
The signal from throttle or pedal sensor B does not agree with sensor A. Usually a worn sensor, a dirty throttle body or a poor contact.
| Code | P0221 |
|---|---|
| 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 P0221 means
The two sensors should always move in step. Here sensor B is giving values that do not match sensor A or what is expected, even though the signal is present. 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.
Most common causes
- Poor contact or moisture in the sensor connector
- Worn sensor B with dead spots along its travel
- Dirty or carboned up throttle body that does not move smoothly
- High resistance in the wiring due to corrosion
- Faulty throttle body or pedal needing the whole unit replaced
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 P0221?
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, press the accelerator very slowly while watching both position signals live. If one moves in steps or drifts away from the other at some point in its travel, the sensor is worn.
How to read and clear P0221 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 P0221 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
- 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
- P0220 Throttle or pedal position sensor B circuit malfunction
- 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
- P0225 The throttle or pedal position sensor C circuit has a fault
- 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 P0221 mean?
The two sensors should always move in step. Here sensor B is giving values that do not match sensor A or what is expected, even though the signal is present. 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.
Can you drive with P0221?
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 P0221?
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, P0221 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.
