GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Diagnostic Instructions

    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

DTC Descriptors

DTC P0120: Throttle Position (TP) Sensor 1 Circuit

DTC P0122: Throttle Position (TP) Sensor 1 Circuit Low Voltage

DTC P0123: Throttle Position (TP) Sensor 1 Circuit High Voltage

DTC P0220:  Throttle Position (TP) Sensor 2 Circuit

DTC P0222: Throttle Position (TP) Sensor 2 Circuit Low Voltage

DTC P0223: Throttle Position (TP) Sensor 2 Circuit High Voltage

DTC P2135: Throttle Position (TP) Sensor 1-2 Correlation

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

High Resistance

Open

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

TP Sensor 1 Signal

P0122

P2135

P0122

P0123

P0068, P0121

TP Sensor 1 5-Volt Reference

P0122

P2135

P0122

P0123

--

TP Sensor 1 Low Reference

--

P2135

P0123

--

--

TP Sensor 2 Signal

P0222

P2135

P0223

P0223

P0068, P0121

TP Sensor 2 5-Volt Reference

P0222

P2135

P0222

P0223

--

TP Sensor 2 Low Reference

--

P2135

P0223

--

--

Typical Scan Tool Data

TP Sensor 1

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open

Short to Voltage

Parameter Normal Range: 0.27-4.67 V

TP Sensor 1 Signal

0 V

0 V

5 V

TP Sensor 1 5-Volt Reference

0 V

0 V

5 V

TP Sensor 1 Low Reference

--

5 V

--

TP Sensor 2

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open

Short to Voltage

Parameter Normal Range: 0.31-4.7 V

TP Sensor 2 Signal

0 V

5 V

5 V

TP Sensor 2 5-Volt Reference

0 V

0 V

5 V

TP Sensor 2 Low Reference

--

5 V

--

Circuit/System Description

The throttle actuator control (TAC) system uses 2 throttle position (TP) sensors to monitor the throttle position. The TP sensors 1 and 2 are located within the throttle body assembly. Each sensor has the following circuits:

    • A 5-volt reference circuit
    •  A low reference circuit
    •  A signal circuit

Two processors are also used to monitor the TAC system data. Both processors are located within the engine control module (ECM). Each signal circuit provides both processors with a signal voltage proportional to throttle plate movement. Both processors monitor each other's data to verify that the indicated TP calculation is correct.

Conditions for Running the DTC

P0120, P0122, P0123, P0220, P0222, P0223

    • The system voltage is more than 5.23 volts.
    • The ignition is in the Unlock/Accessory or Run position.
    • DTC P0641 is not set.
    • DTCs P0120, P0122, P0123, P0220, P0222, P0223 run continuously when the above conditions are met.

P2135

    • The system voltage is more than 5.23 volts.
    • The ignition is in the Unlock/Accessory or Run position.
    • DTCs P0120, P0220, P0641, P0651 are not set.
    • DTC P2135 runs continuously when the above conditions are met.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

P0120

TP sensor 1 voltage is less than 0.27 volt or more than 4.67 volts for more than 0.5 second.

P0122

The ECM detects that the TP sensor 1 voltage is less than 0.27 volt for more than 0.4 second.

P0123

The ECM detects that the TP sensor 1 voltage is more than 4.67 volts for more than 0.4 second.

P0220

The TP sensor 2 voltage is less than 0.31 volt or more than 4.7 volts for more than 0.5 second.

P0222

The ECM detects that the TP sensor 2 voltage is less than 0.31 volt for more than 0.4 second.

P0223

The ECM detects that the TP sensor 2 voltage is more than 4.7 volts for more than 0.4 second.

P2135

The difference between the TP sensor 1 and TP sensor 2 exceeds a predetermined value for more than 2 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • DTC P0120, P0122, P0123, P0220, P0222, P0223, and P2135 are Type A DTCs.
    • The control module commands the TAC system to operate in the Reduced Engine Power mode.
    • A message center or an indicator displays Reduced Engine Power.
    • Under certain conditions the control module commands the engine OFF.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

DTC P0120, P0122, P0123, P0220, P0222, P0223, and P2135 are Type A DTCs.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Engine Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference

    •  Engine Controls Connector End Views
    •  Engine Control Module Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Throttle Actuator Control (TAC) System Description

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

DTC Type Reference

Powertrain Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Type Definitions

Scan Tool Reference

    •  Scan Tool Data List
    •  Scan Tool Data Definitions

Circuit/System Verification

  1. Ignition ON, observe the TP sensor 1 voltage parameter. The reading should be between 0.27-4.67 volts and change with accelerator pedal input.
  2. Ignition ON, observe the TP sensor 2 voltage parameter. The reading should be between 0.31-4.7 volts and change with accelerator pedal input.
  3. Observe the TP sensor 1 and 2 parameter. The scan tool should indicate agree.
  4. Clear the DTCs with the scan tool. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC, or within the conditions that you observed from the Freeze Frame/Failure Records.
  5. Verify that DTC P0120 or P0220 are not the only throttle position DTCs set.
  6. If DTC P0120 or P0220 are the only DTCs set, replace the control module.
  7. Verify that DTCs P0641 or P0651 are set.
  8. If DTC P0641 or P0651 is set, refer to DTC P0641 or P0651 .

Circuit/System Testing

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the throttle body. Allow sufficient time for the ECM to completely power down.
  2. Ignition OFF, test for less than 5 ohms of resistance between the low reference circuit terminal C and ground.
  3. If greater than 5 ohms, test the low reference circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  4. Ignition ON, test for 4.8-5.2 volts between the 5-volt reference circuit terminal E and ground.
  5. If less than 4.8 volts, test the 5-volt reference circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
    If greater than 5.2 volts, test the 5-volt reference circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  6. Verify the scan tool TP sensor 1 voltage is less than 0.1 volt.
  7. If greater than 0.1 volt, test the signal circuit terminal D for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  8. Verify the scan tool TP sensor 2 voltage is greater than 4.8 volts.
  9. If less than 4.8 volts, test the signal circuit terminal F for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  10. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal D and the 5-volt reference circuit terminal E of the TP sensor 1, verify the TP sensor 1 voltage is greater than 4.8 volts.
  11. If less than 4.8 volts, test the TP sensor 1 signal circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  12. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal F and the low reference circuit terminal C of the TP sensor 2, verify that the TP sensor 2 voltage is less than 0.1 volt.
  13. If greater than 0.1 volt, test the TP sensor 2 signal circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  14. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the ECM.
  15. Test for less than 5 ohms of resistance on all TP sensor circuits between the following terminals:
  16. • The 5-volt reference circuit terminal E to the corresponding ECM terminal
    • The signal circuit terminal F to the corresponding ECM terminal
    • The signal circuit terminal D to the corresponding ECM terminal
         ⇒If greater than 5 ohms, repair the affected circuit.
  17. Test for infinite resistance between TP sensor 1 signal circuit terminal D and TP sensor 2 signal circuit terminal F.
  18. If less than infinite resistance, repair the short between TP sensor 1 signal circuit and TP sensor 2 signal circuit.
  19. If all circuits test normal, replace the throttle body.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Control Module References
    •  Throttle Body Assembly Replacement