P0222

Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch B Circuit Low

Throttle / pedal position Generic OBD-II High

What it means

P0222 means the ECM sees an abnormally low voltage on the "B" throttle or accelerator pedal position sensor circuit. Because the engine relies on this signal to know how far the throttle is open, the ECM often drops into a reduced-power limp mode until the reading is trustworthy again. It points to a sensor, wiring, or connector fault rather than a mechanical engine problem.

High

Can I keep driving? Usually driveable but expect reduced power or limp mode — the ECM restricts the throttle to protect the engine when it can't trust the sensor.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

5,145

scans in the past year

Found in

0.8%

of scans

1.4%

of scans that found faults

Appears alongside · share of P0222 scans

P0123in 53.2% of scans

P0122in 45.9% of scans

P0300in 12.3% of scans

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
Reduced power or limp mode (throttle capped)
Hesitation, surging, or erratic acceleration
Rough or unstable idle

Common causes

Most likely first

Faulty throttle position or accelerator pedal position sensor (B channel)Likely
Short-to-ground or open in the sensor signal wiringCommon
Corroded or loose sensor connectorCommon
Damaged 5V reference or ground circuitLess often
Faulty ECM (least likely)Less often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Read freeze-frame data and inspect the throttle/pedal sensor B connector for damage or corrosion.
Backprobe the signal wire while operating the throttle/pedal and watch for a dropout or short to ground.
Check the sensor's 5V reference and ground against spec.
Replace the throttle or pedal position sensor if the signal is out of range with good wiring.
If wiring and sensor test good, suspect the ECM. Clear and re-test.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0222?+

The car will usually still run, but often in reduced-power limp mode with poor throttle response. Fix it promptly — sudden power loss in traffic is a safety risk.

Can I just clear P0222?+

It returns as soon as the ECM sees the low signal again. The sensor or its wiring has to be repaired first.

Read & clear P0222 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