The acceleration pedal position sensor is an important component in modern vehicles, which sends information about its position to the ECM when the driver presses the accelerator pedal so that the ECM can control the throttle body according to the position of the accelerator pedal, thereby achieving successful acceleration. Can be given more strength. and engine performance. it happens.
In this post, we will discuss the acceleration pedal position sensor in detail. For example, what is the acceleration pedal position sensor, how does it work, symptoms and causes, and replacement cost?
What Is Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor?
The accelerator pedal position sensor is a key component used in the accelerator system of modern vehicles, measuring the position of the accelerator pedal and sending information to the vehicle’s engine control module (ECM).
Thus, the throttle body controls the butterfly according to the accelerator pedal position and controls the air flow in the air intake, thereby successfully providing optimum power and performance to the engine.
Symptoms Of A Bad Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor
Symptoms of a bad accelerator pedal position sensor are high fuel consumption, low engine power, engine misfiring, engine over-accelerating, unresponsive accelerator pedal, and check engine warning light.
Let us know the symptoms of a bad throttle position sensor in detail so that you can solve this problem in time.
1. Excessive Fuel Consumption
A poor or failing accelerator pedal position sensor can result in a decrease in the fuel efficiency of the vehicle. Because this sensor is unable to inform the ECM of the vehicle when it is bad or fails, the vehicle’s ECM is unable to control the fuel delivery and ignition system for the engine according to acceleration, which causes the fuel efficiency of the vehicle to decrease.
2. Low Engine Power
A bad or failing accelerator pedal position sensor can cause reduced engine power and performance. Because the vehicle’s ECM is unable to properly adjust the fuel injection and ignition system timing according to engine acceleration, the fuel combustion action in the internal combustion chamber of the engine is interrupted. Due to this, there is a decrease in the power and performance of the engine.
3. Engine Misfire Issue
A bad accelerator pedal position sensor is not reporting the position of the accelerator pedal to the vehicle’s ECM. The fuel action of the engine is interrupted, due to which the engine starts misfiring during acceleration.
4. Check Engine Light illuminated
In modern technology vehicles the vehicle’s ECM illuminates the check engine light in the cluster meter when any sensor malfunctions. This is a warning signal to the driver about a problem with the vehicle’s system. You also get a warning indication of the check engine lightwhen the accelerator pedal position sensor is bad or failing.
5. jerks During Acceleration
A bad or failing accelerator pedal position sensor causes the engine’s fuel injection and ignition system timing to fail due to the vehicle’s ECM sensor not receiving the correct acceleration pedal position signal, due to which the vehicle may jerk or hesitate during acceleration.
6. Engine Over-Accelerate
Sometimes a bad or failing accelerator pedal position sensor can result in the engine over-accelerating without the driver pressing the accelerator pedal. A bad sensor sends incorrect acceleration pedal position data to the vehicle’s ECM. Due to this, the ECM starts supplying more fuel to the engine.
7. No Response Accelerator Pedal
In many cases, the engine of the vehicle is started in the idle position. But when the accelerator pedal is pressed by the driver, there is no response of any kind. Because a bad accelerator pedal position sensor does not signal its position to the vehicle’s ECM when the pedal is depressed, the ECM does not increase the fuel supply to the engine.
Causes Of Bad Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor
There are many different causes of a bad accelerator pedal position sensor. These possible reasons could be something like this:
1. Wiring Issue
The signal from the functioning of the respective parts reaches the ECM through the wiring of any sensor used in the vehicles, due to which the ECM of the vehicle controls the functioning of the respective parts of the vehicle. But if the wiring to the accelerator pedal position sensor is cut or damaged somewhere, So this causes the accelerator pedal position sensor to fail.
2. Weather Effect
Generally, the sensors fitted in the vehicles can get damaged due to the effect of weather. These electronic components get damaged due to exposure to moisture. Due to this, the functioning of these sensors can be completely stalled.
3. Physical Damage
Sensors used in the vehicle get damaged due to physical damage. in which the excessive heat coming out of the engine can completely deactivate these sensors. which can cause the accelerator pedal position sensor to fail.
4. Throttle Position Sensor Failure
If your vehicle’s throttle position sensor is faulty. So it completely disables the functioning of the accelerator pedal position.
5. Faulty Engine Control Module (ECM)
The functioning of any function or sensor in the vehicle can be severely disrupted due to a faulty ECM. Therefore, a faulty Engine Control Module can cause the Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor to malfunction. A bad ECM is unable to receive data from any of the vehicle’s sensors.
How To Fix Bad Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor
Fixing an accelerator pedal position sensor fault usually involves replacing the faulty sensor or repairing the associated wiring connections.
If you are experiencing symptoms related to the accelerator pedal position sensor, Then you will need to scan the vehicle’s system with most OBD-II scanners. from which you will get a specific code related to this problem. which will display the cause of the sensor failure.
To fix a problem with the accelerator pedal position sensor, you must first find its location. This sensor is often located under the accelerator pedal or on the throttle body.
Next, check the accelerator pedal position sensor. For this, you would check the voltage at the accelerator pedal position sensor with a multimeter. If you find the voltage reading of the sensor to be abnormal, then replace this sensor with a new one.
Next, check the wiring connection between the accelerator pedal position sensor and the ECM, if the wiring is damaged, repair or replace it.
After you have checked all that, check the Engine Control Module of the vehicle, as a faulty ECM can also be the cause of the problem. if the ECM is defective or damaged. So repair it or replace it with a new one. However, this may be subject to higher costs.
How Does The Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor Work?
An accelerator pedal position sensor is a component attached to a vehicle’s acceleration pedal that measures the position of the accelerator pedal in the vehicle. This sensor usually consists of a variable resistor or potentiometer, which changes its resistance depending on the position of the accelerator pedal when the driver depresses the accelerator pedal.
And this sensor sends information about the position of the acceleration pedal to the engine control unit (ECU) of the vehicle, and the vehicle’s ECM controls the fuel injection and ignition systems based on this useful information for engine functioning.
Often, when the vehicle’s accelerator pedal is pressed by the driver, the potentiometer on this sensor sends information about the position of the accelerator pedal to the vehicle’s engine control module. The vehicle’s ECM sends the correct amount of fuel to the engine by determining and adjusting the ignition timing for injection.
Due to which the fuel combustion action of the engine is successfully completed based on the acceleration given by the engine driver. Thereby, increasing the power and speed of the engine and improving the engine performance and fuel efficiency of the vehicle.
Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor Fault Code
P0120 – Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch “A” Circuit Malfunction
P0121 – Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch “A” Circuit Range/Performance
P0122 – Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch “A” Circuit Low Input
P0123 – Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch “A” Circuit High Input
P0124 – Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch “A” Circuit Intermittent
P2135 – Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch “A” / “B” Voltage Correlation
Accelerator Pedal Sensor Replacement Cost
On average, the replacement cost of an accelerator pedal position sensor can range from $150 to $300, including mechanic labor costs. The cost of an accelerator pedal position sensor can average from $70 to $150, and the labor cost of replacing it with a mechanic can range from $80 to $150.
The cost to replace the accelerator pedal position sensor varies depending on the make and model of the vehicle as well as the location and labor costs of the mechanic.
FAQ’s
Q. What happens when the accelerator pedal sensor goes bad?
Whenever the pedal position sensor in your vehicle is faulty, it may show some symptoms like unresponsive accelerator pedal, engine over accelerating, engine misfiring, high fuel consumption or engine rough idle.
Q. How do you reset the accelerator position sensor?
To reset the throttle position sensor, disconnect the negative cable from the vehicle’s battery for five to 10 minutes or remove the fuse for the engine control module. This process will be effective in resetting this accelerator pedal sensor.
