P0226

Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch C Circuit Range/Performance

Throttle & pedal position Generic OBD-II High

What it means

P0226 means the ECM sees the "C" throttle- or accelerator-pedal position signal reading outside its expected range, or not tracking the way it should. Because this signal tells the engine how far the throttle is open, a fault often triggers reduced-power mode and jumpy throttle response. It's almost always a sensor, connector, or wiring problem.

High

Can I keep driving? Usually drivable, but the car may drop into reduced-power (limp) mode with sluggish or erratic throttle response — get it checked soon.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

2,759

scans in the past year

Found in

0.4%

of scans

0.8%

of scans that found faults

Appears alongside · share of P0226 scans

P0657in 54.0% of scans

P0335in 35.5% of scans

P0645in 31.3% 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 engine power or limp/failsafe mode
Poor or erratic throttle response, surging or hesitation
Rough or unstable idle

Common causes

Most likely first

Faulty throttle or accelerator-pedal position sensor (the 'C' signal)Likely
Damaged, chafed, or shorted wiring in the sensor circuitCommon
Loose or corroded connector at the sensor or ECMCommon
Failed ECM (rare — verify wiring and sensor first)Less often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Scan and read freeze-frame data to see the conditions when the code set.
Inspect the sensor connector and wiring for damage, corrosion, or loose pins.
Back-probe the sensor and watch its voltage sweep smoothly as the throttle/pedal moves — a dropout or spike confirms a bad sensor.
Replace the throttle or pedal position sensor if its signal is out of range.
Only after wiring and sensor check out, consider the ECM. Clear and re-test.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0226?+

Short trips are usually fine, but the car may limit power or respond unpredictably to the pedal. Have it fixed before relying on the vehicle.

Can I just clear P0226?+

It will come back — often quickly — until the faulty sensor, wiring, or connector is repaired.

Read & clear P0226 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