P0223

Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch B Circuit High

Throttle / pedal position Generic OBD-II High

What it means

P0223 means the ECM sees an abnormally high voltage from the 'B' throttle- or accelerator-pedal position sensor. Because the ECM relies on this signal to judge how far the throttle is opened, a bad reading usually drops the engine into a reduced-power "limp" mode with poor or erratic throttle response, and can cause hesitation or stalling.

High

Can I keep driving? Drive with caution — a bad throttle/pedal signal often forces reduced-power limp mode and can cause stalling or hesitation; fix promptly.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

1,041

scans in the past year

Found in

0.2%

of scans

0.3%

of scans that found faults

Appears alongside · share of P0223 scans

P0123in 79.7% of scans

P0222in 40.9% of scans

P0122in 35.7% 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 / limp mode
Hesitation or surging
Poor or erratic acceleration
Possible stalling at idle

Common causes

Most likely first

Failed 'B' throttle- or accelerator-pedal position sensorLikely
Short-to-voltage or open in the signal wiringCommon
Corroded or damaged connectorCommon
Faulty 5V reference or ground to the sensorLess often
Rarely, a failing ECMLess often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Read both throttle/pedal position signals in live data and watch for the high or erratic one.
Wiggle-test and inspect the connector and wiring for shorts to power or breaks.
Verify the 5V reference and ground at the sensor.
Replace the pedal assembly or throttle body sensor if the signal is faulty.
Clear the code and re-test through the full pedal range.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0223?+

Only carefully and briefly. The car will likely go into reduced-power limp mode and may stall or respond erratically, which is unsafe in traffic. Get it fixed promptly.

Can I just clear P0223?+

It returns as soon as the ECM sees the high signal again. The sensor or its wiring has to be repaired before the throttle response is trustworthy.

Read & clear P0223 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