Throttle position sensor
QI have a 2005 Fiat Panda 1248cc diesel which has been sitting on my drive for five months. I start the engine and let it warm-up to temperature (heaters hot) at least once a week. The engine management light has come on and when checking the codes P0226 is showing, which my Autel MS509 Maxiscan is reading as ‘throttle/pedal position sensor c circuit range/performance.’
I have cleared the code quite a few times, but it comes back. The vehicle has a new battery fitted and I have sprayed electrical switch cleaner on pedal electrics. Will I need to change the full pedal unit to fix this fault?
Is it a ‘plug and play’? Thank you for any info/help you can give.
Steve Wooldridge
A
The code P0226 is as you have correctly discovered flagged-up due to a problem with the throttle position (TP) sensor and is indicating a problem with the accelerator pedal position (APP) sensor or a range/performance problem.
This is often due to the pedal unit itself but can also be due to a wiring fault and the first check would be to ensure the multi-plug going to the pedal is clean and free of damp or dirt. There are a set of six wires which run between the ECU and the pedal and so a problem in the loom or at the ECU should be considered. This would include removing and cleaning the ECU multi-plugs to ensure that all the terminals are clean and conducting fully.
One other point is that if the engine has been started-up but the vehicle has not been driven, the fault may simply be down to the fact that the ECU is detecting an anomaly in the set parameters in which it finds itself operating.
If not done so and if the vehicle is taxed then it may be that a drive cycle will correct the problem and I would hesitate to replace any components until this had been carried out. If the pedal unit is replaced this will be plug and play, but again a driving cycle will be needed to complete the ECU adaptation process.
A reply from Steve informed me that…
He found that a (169) Panda 1242cc accelerator pedal is the same as the one fitted to his 2005 Fiat Multijet. After purchasing one for £20 and fitting it, the Panda is running fine and feels more responsive. The P0226 DTC and EML dash light are now gone.