P2119: Throttle actuator control throttle body range or performance
The throttle plate does not return to its rest position or does not move normally. Usually dirt, ice, the return spring or the throttle body itself.
| Code | P2119 |
|---|---|
| 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 P2119 means
When you are off the accelerator, the throttle plate should sit in a fixed rest position held by a spring, and move smoothly when commanded. This code means the ECU sees it failing to reach that position or moving abnormally. The throttle body is almost always to blame: dirty, frozen or worn.
Most common causes
- Carbon slowing the plate or stopping it returning to rest
- Ice inside the throttle body on frosty days
- A weak throttle return spring
- Loose or corroded throttle body connector
- Worn position sensors inside the throttle body
- A failed motor or gears in the throttle body
Symptoms
- Engine or throttle warning light on
- Reduced power or limp mode
- Idle too high, too low or hunting up and down
- The engine stalls when stopping
Can you drive with P2119?
With care You can usually drive with care, though with little power and a risk of stalling. Get it to a garage soon.
Open the bonnetthe in-depth explanation
How to check it
Use a live data reader to watch throttle position at idle with your foot off the pedal: it should be low and steady. If it jumps about or will not drop, the throttle body is the first suspect.
How to read and clear P2119 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 P2119 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
- 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
- P2118 Throttle actuator control motor current 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
- P211D The electronic throttle body B gives readings outside the normal range
- 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
To understand it properly
We explain how that system works, with drawings and no waffle, in our mechanics guide: Accelerator.
What does code P2119 mean?
When you are off the accelerator, the throttle plate should sit in a fixed rest position held by a spring, and move smoothly when commanded. This code means the ECU sees it failing to reach that position or moving abnormally. The throttle body is almost always to blame: dirty, frozen or worn.
Can you drive with P2119?
You can usually drive with care, though with little power and a risk of stalling. Get it to a garage soon.
How do you clear P2119?
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, P2119 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.
