P0226🔧 Throttle position and accelerator pedal sensorsStop and fix promptly

P0226: Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor C Range/Performance (Meaning, Causes, Fixes)

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

What P0226 means

The throttle position sensor (TPS) on the throttle body is a potentiometer that tells the powertrain control module (PCM) how far the throttle is open. The PCM feeds it a 5 volt reference and usually a ground. OBD-Codes.com gives a general reading of about 0.5 volts at idle and about 4.5 volts at full throttle. If the PCM sees that the throttle angle is greater or less than it should be for a specific RPM, it sets P0226. This is a 'range/performance' code, so unlike P0227 (signal too low) or P0228 (signal too high), the voltage may still be inside its limits but doesn't agree with how the engine is running, which often means an intermittent dropout. RepairPal's page covers both the TPS on the throttle body and the pedal position sensor in the accelerator pedal assembly, and says the PCM sets the code when it detects a problem with either sensor or its circuit. RepairPal titles the code simply 'C Circuit' rather than 'Range/Performance'. Which sensor counts as 'C' depends on the vehicle, so check its service information. Searches for this code mention Nissan, Infiniti, Mercedes and Renault, and the OBD-Codes.com forum has a Dacia Duster owner asking about it.

Severity: can I keep driving?

Stop and fix promptly

Fix it soon and drive carefully. RepairPal rates P0226 'Urgent' and says the engine computer may limit the vehicle to 20 mph or less in limp home mode. OBD-Codes.com lists stumbling on acceleration, black smoke and even a no start.

Common symptoms

Likely causes

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

  1. Throttle position sensor with an intermittent internal open or short (OBD-Codes.com), or TPS failure (RepairPal)
  2. Accelerator pedal position (APP) assembly failure (RepairPal)
  3. Wiring harness rubbing and causing an open or short (OBD-Codes.com), or another wiring issue (RepairPal)
  4. Bad connection at the TPS (OBD-Codes.com)
  5. Water or corrosion in the connector or sensor (OBD-Codes.com)
  6. Bad PCM, the least likely cause (OBD-Codes.com, RepairPal)

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. Look over the wiring and connectors at the throttle body and the accelerator pedal for rubbing, loose pins, corrosion or water. OBD-Codes.com specifically lists water in the connector.
  3. If you have a scan tool, compare the TPS reading at idle and at wide open throttle with the rough 0.5 V and 4.5 V figures OBD-Codes.com gives. If they are well off, the sensor is the likely problem.
  4. Wiggle the connector and harness gently while watching the live reading. A dropout while you wiggle points to the sensor or that section of wiring.
  5. If the car goes into limp mode, stumbles 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

  • OBD-Codes.com says a scan tool can miss an intermittent dropout because it samples many readings over one or two data lines. Use an oscilloscope on the TPS signal: it should sweep up and down smoothly with no dropouts or spikes.
  • If the scope pattern looks clean, do a wiggle test on the connector and harness while watching the trace. If it drops out, replace the TPS and re-check.
  • If there is no TPS signal at all, check for the 5 V reference at the connector, then check the ground circuit for opens or shorts.
  • Make sure the signal circuit never shows battery voltage (12 V). If it does, trace the circuit for a short to voltage and repair it.
  • The sources differ: OBD-Codes.com describes P0226 as a range/performance problem where throttle angle doesn't match RPM, with no severity rating. RepairPal titles it a 'C' circuit problem covering both the TPS and the pedal sensor, rates it 'Urgent' and warns of limp home mode at 20 mph or less.

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 P0226?

It isn't a good idea. RepairPal rates it 'Urgent' and says the car may be held to 20 mph or less in limp home mode, and OBD-Codes.com lists stumbling on acceleration and a possible no start.

What is the difference between P0226 and P0225, P0227 or P0228?

All four are about throttle or pedal position sensor circuit 'C'. P0225 is the general circuit fault, P0227 means the signal voltage is too low, P0228 means it is too high, and P0226 means the reading doesn't make sense for how the engine is running, often from an intermittent dropout.

Why can't my scan tool see the problem?

OBD-Codes.com explains that scan tools sample data and can miss a brief dropout in the TPS signal. An oscilloscope shows the full sweep and will catch a glitch.

Sources

  1. OBD-Codes.com: P0226 Throttle Position Sensor C Circuit Range/Performance
  2. RepairPal: P0226 Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch C Circuit (rated Urgent)

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