Fuel and air

P0222 — Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor B Circuit Low Input

Severity: medium Drive with care, to a shop

What P0222 means

The engine computer constantly reads voltage from the throttle and accelerator pedal position sensors to know how much power the driver wants. P0222 sets when the signal from sensor B drops below the expected minimum. The usual culprits are a short to ground or open in the wiring, a poor connector contact, or a failed sensor.

Symptoms

  • Check Engine light on
  • Limp mode or reduced engine power
  • Hesitation or jerky acceleration
  • Unresponsive or erratic throttle
  • Rough or surging idle, possible stalling
  • Little or no response to the pedal

Possible causes

  1. Failed accelerator pedal or throttle position sensor (circuit B)
  2. Signal wire shorted to ground, open, or corroded
  3. Loose or corroded sensor connector
  4. Lost 5 V reference supply to the sensor
  5. Dirty throttle body affecting sensor readings
  6. Faulty PCM (rare)

How to diagnose

  1. Scan for codes and freeze-frame data, and look for other throttle/pedal or 5 V reference codes
  2. Inspect the harness and connectors at the pedal and throttle for chafing, moisture and corrosion
  3. Watch live data while slowly pressing the pedal and confirm the sensor channels change smoothly and agree
  4. Use a multimeter to check for 5 V reference and a good ground at the connector
  5. Test the signal wire for opens and shorts to ground with the connector unplugged
  6. Inspect and clean the throttle body and make sure the plate moves freely
  7. If wiring tests good, replace the sensor, and suspect the PCM last

Common fixes

  • Repair wiring or replace a damaged connector
  • Clean connector terminals and the throttle body
  • Replace the pedal position sensor or throttle body assembly
  • Reflash or replace the PCM if confirmed faulty

Questions and answers

What does P0222 mean?

It means the voltage in the throttle or pedal position sensor B circuit is too low. The PCM can't reliably tell pedal position, so it may limit engine power.

Can I drive with P0222?

Only briefly and carefully, to get to a shop. The engine may go into limp mode or lose power, which is risky in traffic.

How do I fix P0222?

Check the wiring, connector and sensor supply, and clean the throttle body. If those are fine, the pedal or throttle sensor usually needs replacing.

This is general information about the code. The meaning can differ between makes and models: a scan tool and the repair manual for your car will show the exact cause.