P2102: Throttle actuator A control motor circuit low
The ECU sees too low a voltage in the circuit of the motor that moves the throttle. Usually a wire shorted to ground, the connector or throttle body.
| Code | P2102 |
|---|---|
| System | Engine and transmission |
| Group | P21xx, Throttle, injection and emissions |
| Type | Generic: it means the same on every make |
| Can you keep driving? | Better not |
What P2102 means
On cars with an electronic accelerator, a small electric motor moves the throttle plate that lets air in. This code means the voltage in that motor circuit is lower than possible, almost always from a wire touching ground, a poor contact or a shorted throttle motor. The ECU usually cuts power.
Most common causes
- Dirty, loose or corroded throttle body connector
- A throttle motor wire chafed through and touching ground
- Low battery voltage or a poor engine ground
- The motor inside the throttle body shorted
- A fault in the engine ECU, which is uncommon
Symptoms
- Engine or throttle warning light on
- Power heavily limited or limp mode
- High or fixed idle speed
- The engine may stall
Can you drive with P2102?
Better not With poor throttle control the car may stop responding at the worst moment. Only drive if you must, straight to a garage.
Open the bonnetthe in-depth explanation
How to check it
Check the battery condition and that its terminals and the engine ground strap are tight. With the ignition off, look for chafed wires at the throttle body connector.
How to read and clear P2102 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 P2102 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
- P2100 Throttle actuator A control motor circuit open
- P2101 Throttle actuator A control motor circuit range or performance
- P2103 The throttle actuator A control motor gives a higher signal than normal
- P2104 Throttle control system: forced idle
- P2105 Throttle control system: forced engine shutdown
- P2106 Throttle control system: forced limited power
- P2107 Throttle actuator control module processor fault
- P2108 Throttle actuator control module performance
- P2110 Throttle control system: forced limited RPM
- P2111 Throttle control system stuck open
What does code P2102 mean?
On cars with an electronic accelerator, a small electric motor moves the throttle plate that lets air in. This code means the voltage in that motor circuit is lower than possible, almost always from a wire touching ground, a poor contact or a shorted throttle motor. The ECU usually cuts power.
Can you drive with P2102?
With poor throttle control the car may stop responding at the worst moment. Only drive if you must, straight to a garage.
How do you clear P2102?
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, P2102 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.
