P0220: Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch B Circuit

What does P0220 mean?

With electronic throttle control the throttle body carries two position sensors, A and B, usually with opposite or offset signals, and the engine module compares them (correlation code P2135). GM and Ford give the pedal sensors their own codes (P2120 ff), so B is in practice the second throttle sensor. P0220 is the general circuit fault of sensor B without telling low from high. GM uses it in a special sense on 2015–2016 V8 engines: the signal lies outside 0.25–4.59 V only in the monitoring processor while the main processor sees it as valid; this sets immediately with the warning light. Newer GM and Ford engines report sensor B faults as P0222/P0223. The module carries on with sensor A, limits throttle opening and power and switches off cruise control.

The code tells you which monitor failed, not which part is broken. Test before replacing parts.

Symptoms

• Check engine light and throttle warning light
• Reduced power, limp mode
• Poor throttle response, jerking
• Cruise control disabled

Common causes

• High Throttle body or sensor B faulty (worn track)
• High Wiring or connector at the throttle body (corrosion, break)
• Medium 5 V reference disturbed (short in another sensor on the same reference)
• Low Engine module input or monitoring processor faulty

Likelihood is a general estimate across vehicles; your make and model may differ.