SFI SYSTEM, Diagnostic DTC:P2121

DTC Code DTC Name
P2121 Throttle / Pedal Position Sensor / Switch "D" Circuit Range / Performance

DESCRIPTION

Tech Tips

This DTC relates to the accelerator pedal position sensor.

Refer to DTC P2120 Click here.

DTC No. DTC Detection Condition Trouble Area
P2121

Either of following conditions 1 or 2 met for 0.5 seconds (1 trip detection logic):


  • 1. Difference between VPA and VPA2 is less than 0.4 V, or more than 1.2 V. (learned value of accelerator off position)

  • 2. Difference between VPA and VPA2 is greater than or equal to the specified value.

  • Accelerator pedal sensor assembly

  • ECM

MONITOR DESCRIPTION

The accelerator pedal position sensor is mounted on the accelerator pedal bracket. The accelerator pedal position sensor has 2 sensor elements and 2 signal outputs: VPA and VPA2. VPA is used to detect the actual accelerator pedal angle (used for engine control) and VPA2 is used to detect malfunctions in VPA. When the difference between the output voltages of VPA and VPA2 deviates from the standard, the ECM determines that the accelerator pedal position sensor is malfunctioning. The ECM illuminates the MIL and stores the DTC.

MONITOR STRATEGY

Required Sensors/Components Accelerator pedal sensor assembly
Frequency of Operation Continuous

CONFIRMATION DRIVING PATTERN

A01G97ZE03

  1. Connect the GTS to the DLC3.

  2. Turn the engine switch on (IG) and turn the GTS on.

  3. Clear the DTCs (even if no DTCs are stored, perform the clear DTC procedure).

  4. Turn the engine switch off and wait for at least 30 seconds.

  5. Turn the engine switch on (IG) and turn the GTS on [A].

  6. Wait for 5 seconds after turning the engine switch on (IG).

  7. Operate the accelerator pedal in accordance with the following procedure [B].


    1. Enter the following menus: Powertrain / Engine / Data List / All Data / Accel Sens. No. 1 Volt %, and Accel Sens. No. 2 Volt %.

    2. Slowly depress the accelerator pedal until Accel Sens. No. 1 Volt % is approximately 30% and Accel Sens. No. 2 Volt % is approximately 46%, then slowly release the accelerator pedal.

  8. Enter the following menus: Powertrain / Engine / Trouble Codes [C].

  9. Read the pending DTCs.

    Tech Tips


    • If a pending DTC is output, the system is malfunctioning.

    • If a pending DTC is not output, perform the following procedure.

  10. Enter the following menus: Powertrain / Engine / Utility / All Readiness.

  11. Input the DTC: P2121.

  12. Check the DTC judgment result.

    GTS Display Description
    NORMAL

    • DTC judgment completed

    • System normal
    ABNORMAL

    • DTC judgment completed

    • System abnormal
    INCOMPLETE

    • DTC judgment not completed

    • Perform driving pattern after confirming DTC enabling conditions
    N/A

    • Unable to perform DTC judgment

    • Number of DTCs which do not fulfill DTC preconditions has reached ECU memory limit

    Tech Tips


    • If the judgment result shows NORMAL, the system is normal.

    • If the judgment result shows ABNORMAL, the system has a malfunction.

    • If the judgment result shows INCOMPLETE or N/A, perform steps [B] and [C] again.

FAIL-SAFE

The accelerator pedal position sensor has 2 (main and sub) sensor circuits. If a malfunction occurs in either of the sensor circuits, the ECM detects the abnormal signal voltage difference between the 2 sensor circuits and switches to fail-safe mode. In fail-safe mode, the functioning circuit is used to calculate the accelerator pedal opening angle to allow the vehicle to continue driving. If both circuits malfunction, the ECM regards the opening angle of the accelerator pedal as being fully closed. In this case, the throttle valve remains closed as if the engine is idling.

If a pass condition is detected and then the engine switch is turned off, the fail-safe operation stops and the system returns to normal.

WIRING DIAGRAM

Refer to DTC P2120 Click here.

INSPECTION PROCEDURE

Tech Tips

Read freeze frame data using the GTS. The ECM records vehicle and driving condition information as freeze frame data the moment a DTC is stored. When troubleshooting, freeze frame data can help determine if the vehicle was moving or stationary, if the engine was warmed up or not, if the air fuel ratio was lean or rich, and other data from the time the malfunction occurred.

PROCEDURE


  1. CHECK ANY OTHER DTCS OUTPUT (IN ADDITION TO DTC P2121)


    1. Connect the GTS to the DLC3.

    2. Turn the engine switch on (IG).

    3. Turn the GTS on.

    4. Enter the following menus: Powertrain / Engine / Trouble Codes.

    5. Read the DTCs.

      Result
      Result Proceed to
      DTC P2121 is output A
      DTC P2121 and other DTCs are output B

      Tech Tips

      If any DTCs other than P2121 are output, troubleshoot those DTCs first.


    B

    GO TO DTC CHART Click here

    A

  2. READ VALUE USING GTS (ACCEL SENSOR OUT)

    A01G51GE02
    Text in Illustration
    *a Fully Depressed
    *b Fully Released

    1. Connect the GTS to the DLC3.

    2. Turn the engine switch on (IG).

    3. Turn the GTS on.

    4. Enter the following menus: Powertrain / Engine / Data List / All Data / Accel Sensor Out No. 1 and Accel Sensor Out No. 2.

    5. Read the values displayed on the GTS.

      Standard Voltage
      Accelerator Pedal Operation Accel Sensor Out No. 1 Accel Sensor Out No. 2
      Fully Released 0.5 to 1.1 V 1.2 to 2.0 V
      Fully Depressed 2.6 to 4.5 V 3.4 to 4.75 V

    NG

    REPLACE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR ASSEMBLY Click here

    OK

    CHECK FOR INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS Click here

  3. REPLACE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR ASSEMBLY


    1. Replace the accelerator pedal sensor assembly Click here.


    NEXT

  4. CHECK WHETHER DTC OUTPUT RECURS (DTC P2121)


    1. Connect the GTS to the DLC3.

    2. Turn the engine switch on (IG).

    3. Turn the GTS on.

    4. Clear the DTCs Click here.

    5. Turn the engine switch off and wait for at least 30 seconds.

    6. Turn the engine switch on (IG) and turn the GTS on.

    7. Drive the vehicle in accordance with the driving pattern described in Confirmation Driving Pattern.

    8. Enter the following menus: Powertrain / Engine / Trouble Codes.

    9. Read the DTCs.

      Result
      Result Proceed to
      DTC P2121 is output A
      DTC is not output B

    B

    END

    A

    REPLACE ECM Click here