P2118: Throttle actuator control motor current range or performance
The current drawn by the throttle motor is not what the ECU expects. Often a dirty throttle that is hard to move, the wiring or the throttle body.
| Code | P2118 |
|---|---|
| System | Engine and transmission |
| Group | P21xx, Throttle, injection and emissions |
| Type | Generic: it means the same on every make |
| Can you keep driving? | With care |
What P2118 means
The ECU keeps an eye on how much current the throttle motor draws. If it draws much more or much less than normal, something is wrong: a sticky throttle pushes the current up, and a poor contact pulls it down. For safety it usually limits power.
Most common causes
- Carbon on the throttle plate forcing the motor to work harder
- Loose or corroded throttle body connector
- A damaged wire or poor contact in the circuit
- Low battery voltage or loose battery terminals
- The motor inside the throttle body worn or shorted
- A fault in the engine ECU, which is uncommon
Symptoms
- Engine or throttle warning light on
- Reduced power or limp mode
- Unstable idle
- Slow throttle response
Can you drive with P2118?
With care You can drive with care, but the car may drop into limp mode at any time. Have it checked soon.
Open the bonnetthe in-depth explanation
How to check it
With the key removed, check the inside of the throttle body for carbon. If you clean it, a throttle relearn may be needed to get a steady idle back.
How to read and clear P2118 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 P2118 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
- P2114 The minimum pedal position throttle or sensor C stop gives readings outside the
- P2115 The minimum pedal position throttle or sensor D stop gives readings outside the
- P2116 The minimum pedal position throttle or sensor E stop gives readings outside the
- P2117 The minimum pedal position throttle or sensor F stop gives readings outside the
- P2119 Throttle actuator control throttle body range or performance
- P211A The throttle actuator B control system has got stuck
- P211B Actuator B of the electronic throttle is stuck closed
- P211C The throttle actuator B control motor current gives readings outside the normal
- P2100 Throttle actuator A control motor circuit open
- P2101 Throttle actuator A control motor circuit range or performance
- P2102 Throttle actuator A control motor circuit low
- P2104 Throttle control system: forced idle
What does code P2118 mean?
The ECU keeps an eye on how much current the throttle motor draws. If it draws much more or much less than normal, something is wrong: a sticky throttle pushes the current up, and a poor contact pulls it down. For safety it usually limits power.
Can you drive with P2118?
You can drive with care, but the car may drop into limp mode at any time. Have it checked soon.
How do you clear P2118?
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, P2118 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.
