P2103

Throttle Actuator A Control Motor Circuit High

Fuel & air metering (drive-by-wire throttle) Generic OBD-II Medium

What it means

P2103 means the PCM detects a higher-than-expected voltage in the circuit that drives the electronic throttle actuator motor — the motor that opens and closes the drive-by-wire throttle plate. It's usually a wiring, connector, or throttle-motor fault, and it commonly forces the engine into a reduced-power or limp mode to keep throttle control safe.

Medium

Can I keep driving? Driveable but often in a limp/reduced-power mode; the throttle may default to a limited opening, so repair it soon.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

305

scans in the past year

Found in

0.1%

of scans

0.1%

of scans that found faults

Appears alongside · share of P2103 scans

P2101in 83.9% of scans

P0122in 76.4% of scans

P0123in 73.4% 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 (forced-idle) mode
Poor or unresponsive throttle response
Rough or unstable idle

Common causes

Most likely first

Wiring shorted to voltage or open in the throttle actuator motor circuitLikely
Faulty throttle actuator (drive-by-wire) motorCommon
Sticking or dirty throttle bodyCommon
Corroded or loose throttle body connectorLess often
Faulty powertrain control module (PCM)Less often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Clean the throttle body and clear the code first — carbon buildup is a common, cheap cause.
Inspect the throttle body connector and wiring for shorts-to-power, opens, or corrosion.
Test the throttle actuator motor's resistance and operation; replace the throttle body if the motor is faulty.
Consider the PCM only after the throttle body and wiring test good.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P2103?+

Only cautiously. Throttle-actuator faults usually force the engine into reduced-power or forced-idle mode, which limits acceleration. Repair it promptly and avoid highway driving until it's fixed.

Can I just clear P2103?+

It will return until the circuit or throttle fault is repaired. Cleaning the throttle body sometimes clears a carbon-related trip, but a wiring or motor fault will bring it back.

Read & clear P2103 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