P0124

Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch A Circuit Intermittent

Q: Is it safe to drive with P0124?

Drive with caution. The car may surge, hesitate, or drop into reduced-power mode without warning, which can be unsafe in traffic. Repair it promptly.

Q: Can I just clear P0124?

It will return while the fault is intermittent. Trace the loose connector, worn sensor, or damaged wire causing the dropout.

Throttle control Generic OBD-II High

What it means

P0124 means the throttle or pedal position sensor "A" signal is dropping out or jumping intermittently. This sensor tells the ECM how far the throttle is open, so an unstable signal can cause surging, hesitation, erratic idle, and on drive-by-wire systems a protective reduced-power mode. It usually traces to a loose connector or a worn sensor.

High

Can I keep driving? Drivable but unpredictable — an intermittent throttle signal can cause surging, hesitation, or a sudden drop into reduced-power/limp mode, so repair promptly.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

scans in the past year

Found in

<0.1%

of scans

<0.1%

of scans that found faults

Figures reflect only diagnostic scans recorded through our own apps and tools. Cars are typically scanned because a symptom or warning light prompted it, so these counts describe our scan records — not the incidence of faults in any model, and not the quality, reliability, or safety of any vehicle. No comparison between manufacturers or models is implied. All trademarks belong to their respective owners; no affiliation or endorsement is implied.

Common symptoms

What you'll notice

Check-engine light on
Jerky or hesitant throttle response
Surging or unexpected changes in RPM/idle
Reduced-power or limp-home mode
Possible stalling

Common causes

Most likely first

Worn or faulty throttle/pedal position sensorLikely
Loose or corroded sensor connectorCommon
Chafed or intermittently shorting signal wiringCommon
Less commonly, an ECM/PCM faultLess often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Scan and read freeze-frame data, then monitor the live throttle/pedal position signal for dropouts or spikes.
Wiggle-test the connector and harness while watching the live value.
Inspect and clean the connector; repair damaged wiring.
Replace the throttle or pedal position sensor if the signal is erratic, then clear and retest.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0124?+

Drive with caution. The car may surge, hesitate, or drop into reduced-power mode without warning, which can be unsafe in traffic. Repair it promptly.

Can I just clear P0124?+

It will return while the fault is intermittent. Trace the loose connector, worn sensor, or damaged wire causing the dropout.

Read & clear P0124 yourself

Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.

▶ Get it on Google Play

✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX