P0224🔧 Throttle position and accelerator pedal sensorsStop and fix promptly

P0224: Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor B Circuit Intermittent (Meaning, Causes, Fixes)

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Based on 2 cited source(s)

What P0224 means

The throttle position sensor (TPS) is usually a potentiometer that the powertrain control module (PCM) feeds with a 5 volt reference. As the throttle opens, contacts inside the sensor move across a circuit board and the signal voltage changes. OBD-Codes.com gives a typical range of about 0.5 volts at closed throttle to about 4.5 volts at wide open throttle. The PCM uses this signal for fuel delivery, ignition timing, EGR and engine load. If it sees a certain number of intermittent or erratic signals from the 'B' sensor circuit over a set time and under set conditions, it stores P0224 and may turn on the check engine light. RepairPal's page covers both the TPS on the throttle body and the pedal position sensor in the accelerator pedal assembly, and defines the code as an erratic or intermittent voltage signal from either one. Which sensor counts as 'B' depends on the vehicle, so check its service information. OBD-Codes.com names Dodge, Chrysler, Hyundai, Jeep and Mazda among the makes that use this generic code.

Severity: can I keep driving?

Stop and fix promptly

Fix it soon and drive carefully. RepairPal rates P0224 'Urgent' and says the engine computer may limit the vehicle to 20 mph or less in limp home mode. OBD-Codes.com says it should be addressed with some degree of urgency because the throttle position sensor matters so much to how the engine drives.

Common symptoms

Likely causes

Roughly most to least common, based on the sources below. Your vehicle may differ.

  1. Defective or misadjusted throttle position sensor (OBD-Codes.com), or a defective throttle or pedal position sensor (RepairPal)
  2. Open or shorted 'B' sensor wiring or connectors (OBD-Codes.com), or faulty or corroded sensor wiring or connections (RepairPal)
  3. Binding or damaged throttle plate (OBD-Codes.com)
  4. Torn or jammed floor mats interfering with the accelerator pedal (RepairPal)
  5. Bad PCM or a PCM programming error (OBD-Codes.com)

Diagnostic steps you can do

⚠ Before you start

Work on a cool engine, parked on level ground with the parking brake set. Never work under a car supported only by a jack.

  1. Check for technical service bulletins for your year, make and model first, since the issue may be known with a known fix.
  2. Make sure the floor mat isn't torn, bunched up or catching the accelerator pedal. RepairPal lists this as a cause and a common reason pedal sensors get replaced for nothing.
  3. Look over the wiring and connectors at the throttle body and the accelerator pedal for chafing, loose pins or corrosion.
  4. Look at the throttle plate for carbon build-up or damage. RepairPal warns that a TPS is often replaced when the real problem is a dirty, carbon-filled throttle body.
  5. Write down the codes and freeze frame data, clear the codes and drive normally. If the code doesn't come back right away, OBD-Codes.com notes the fault may need to get worse before it can be pinned down.
  6. If the car goes into limp mode, hesitates badly or won't start, have it diagnosed before driving it in traffic.

Typical fixes

Repair costs vary widely by vehicle, region, parts brand and shop, so we don't quote prices. Get a written estimate after diagnosis.

🛠 When to call a pro

  • Narrow the scan tool data stream to just the throttle and pedal position data so it refreshes faster, and watch for glitches while slowly opening the throttle (OBD-Codes.com).
  • If the scan tool shows nothing, connect a DVOM (digital volt/ohmmeter) to the TPS signal and ground circuits and sweep the throttle slowly from closed to wide open. The voltage should move smoothly from about 0.5 V to about 4.5 V. Any glitch points to a defective or misadjusted sensor (OBD-Codes.com).
  • If P0224 comes back after a new TPS, look up the TPS adjustment specs for the vehicle and use the DVOM on the signal and ground circuits to set it accurately (OBD-Codes.com).
  • Before replacing a sensor, rule out a poor connection, chafed wiring, a carbon-filled throttle body and damaged floor mats, which RepairPal lists as common misdiagnoses.
  • The sources differ: OBD-Codes.com treats P0224 mostly as a throttle position sensor problem and says to address it 'with some degree of urgency', while RepairPal covers both the throttle and pedal sensors, rates it 'Urgent' and warns of limp home mode at 20 mph or less. RepairPal also says many cars show no symptoms beyond the warning light.

Where to buy

Plain search links. Always match parts to your exact year, make, model and engine.

OBD2 scanners on Amazon Parts at Advance Auto Parts catalog at RockAuto

FAQs

Can I drive with P0224?

It isn't a good idea for long. RepairPal rates it 'Urgent' and says the car may be held to 20 mph or less in limp home mode, though it also says many cars show no symptoms besides the warning light. OBD-Codes.com lists hesitation, black smoke and hard starting.

What is the difference between P0224 and P0220, P0222 or P0223?

All are about throttle or pedal position sensor circuit 'B'. P0220 is the general circuit fault, P0222 means the signal voltage is too low, P0223 means it is too high, and P0224 means the signal is erratic or comes and goes.

Can a floor mat really cause P0224?

RepairPal says yes: torn or jammed floor mats are listed as a cause, and replacing the pedal sensor when the real problem is the floor mat is one of its common misdiagnoses.

Sources

  1. OBD-Codes.com: P0224 Throttle Position Sensor/Switch B Circuit Intermittent
  2. RepairPal: P0224 Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch B Circuit Intermittent (rated Urgent)

Last reviewed 2026-10-26. Code definitions and repair steps can vary by manufacturer. Confirm with your vehicle's service information.