Possible causes

– Faulty Throttle Position Sensor
– Throttle Position Sensor circuit is open or shorted
– Throttle Position Sensor poor electrical connection

When is the code detected?

Malfunction is detected when an excessively low or high voltage from the sensor is sent to Engine Control Module (ECM).

Symptoms

– Engine Light ON (or Service Engine Soon Warning Light)

P0120 Description

The throttle position sensor (TPS) responds to the accelerator pedal movement. This sensor is a kind of potentiometer which transforms the throttle position into output voltage, and emits the voltage signal to the Engine Control Module (ECM). In addition, the sensor detects the opening and closing speed of the throttle valve and feeds the voltage signal to the ECM.
Idle position of the throttle valve is determined by the ECM receiving the signal from the throttle position sensor. This sensor controls engine operation such as fuel cut. On the other hand, the Wide open and closed throttle position switch, which is built into the throttle position sensor unit, is not used for engine control.

P0120 Information for specific makes

P0120 TOYOTA
P0120 HYUNDAI
P0120 ISUZU
P0120 LEXUS
P0120 MAZDA
P0120 MITSUBISHI
P0120 NISSAN
P0120 DODGE
P0120 INFINITI
P0120 VOLKSWAGEN
P0120 CHRYSLER
P0120 JEEP
P0120 AUDI
P0120 SCION
P0120 BUICK
P0120 CADILLAC
P0120 CHEVROLET
P0120 GMC
P0120 PONTIAC
P0120 SATURN