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For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Oldsmobile 🢒 1997 🢒 Aurora 🢒 DTC 🢒 DTC P0121 TP Sensor Circuit Insufficient Activity

Object Number: 13308 Size: SF
ESD Notice
IAT/ ECT/ TP/ MAP Sensors
Engine Controls Components
OBD II Symbol Description Notice
ESD Notice

Circuit Description

The Throttle Position sensor is potentiometer. A 5 volt reference is provided on CKT 605 and ground is provided on CKT 808. The TP sensor signal CKT 417 varies between ground and 5 volts based on the position of the throttle plates. At low throttle angle, the TP sensor signal voltage is low. The PCM uses TP sensor information to determine idle, Wide Open Throttle (WOT), deceleration enleanment and acceleration enrichment. This diagnostic test is designed to determine when the throttle position sensor reading is too high out of its estimated range for its current operating engine speed. The PCM does this by monitoring changes in TP sensor within a certain period of time. If the change is 0.6 degrees or less within 0.1 second, the PCM compares the current throttle position with a stored throttle position that is considered acceptable for the current engine speed. If the current throttle position is greater than the stored value the TP sensor is considered stuck and DTC P0121 will set.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

Test Conditons

    •  DTCs P0106, P0107, P0108, P0122, and P0123 not set.
    •  Engine speed 400 RPM or greater.
    •  Throttle position changes less than 0.6 degrees in 0.1 second.
    •  Manifold absolute pressure is less than or equal to 60.3 kPa.
    •  Traction control not active.
    •  All 8 cylinders are enabled.
    •  Engine overheat not present.

Failure Condition

The throttle position sensor input is not within its expected range.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets
    •  PCM disables the torque converter clutch.
    •  The PCM will illuminate the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) when the diagnostic runs and fails.
    •  The PCM will record operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. This information will be stored in the Freeze Frame and Failure Records.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

    •  The PCM will turn the MIL OFF after three consecutive drive trips that the diagnostic runs and does not fail.
    •  A Last Test Failed (current) DTC will clear when the diagnostic runs and does not fail.
    •  A History DTC will clear after forty consecutive warm-up cycles with no failures of any emission related diagnostic test.
    • Use a scan tool to clear DTCs.
    • Interrupting PCM battery voltage may or may not clear DTCs. This practice is not recommended. Refer to Clearing Diagnostic Trouble Codes in PCM Description and Operation.

Test Description

Number(s) below refer to the step number(s) on the Diagnostic Table.

  1. Observe the TP Sensor display voltage for a condition in which the TP sensor is rotated but the TP sensor display voltage stays steady. This stuck condition could occur anywhere in the TP sensors range. Perform this check several times. If the TP Sensor display matches the TP sensor rotation then perform the MAP sensor diagnosis since the expected TP sensor reading is based on the MAP sensor input.

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

Was the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check performed?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to A Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check

2
  1. Turn the key ON
  2. Connect a scan tool.
  3. View the TP sensor display.

Is the TP sensor reading greater than the value specified?

.01 volts

Go to Step 3

Go to DTC P0122 Throttle Position (TP) Sensor Circuit Low Voltage

3
  1. Check the TP Sensor display while slowly depressing the accelerator from closed throttle to wide open throttle.
  2. Check the TP Sensor display for a stuck condition. Refer to Test Descriptions .

Was a stuck condition observed?

--

Go to Step 4

Go to P0106 diagnosis.

4

Replace the Throttle Position sensor. Refer to TP Sensor Replacement .

Is the replacement complete?

--

Go to Powertrain Control Module Diagnosis for Verify Repair

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