P2140 OBD-II Trouble Code: Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch E / F Voltage Correlation

P2140 code definition

Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch E / F Voltage Correlation

Related Trouble Codes:

• P2135: Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch A / B Voltage Correlation
• P2136: Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch A / C Voltage Correlation
• P2137: Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch B / C Voltage Correlation
• P2138: Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch D / E Voltage Correlation
• P2139: Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch D / F Voltage Correlation

What the P2140 code means

The P2140 diagnostic trouble code is an indication that a fault is present in a specific throttle position sensor switch. It will only been seen with vehicles that have an electronically controlled throttle body. The accelerator position sensor uses a voltage signal to communicate with the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) as to how much the throttle body needs to open or close. The PCM then sends a voltage signal to the throttle actuator motor, which opens and/or closes the throttle plate. The two throttle position (TP) sensor voltage signals determine whether the throttle plate needs to open quickly, or gradually, and should correlate with each other when they are working properly. If the voltage signals of these two sensors do not correlate, the PCM will store the P2140 trouble code.

What causes the P2140 code?

• Corrosion in the electronic throttle body connector
• Electronic throttle body wiring that is broken, frayed, or corroded
• Faulty electronic throttle body
• Faulty throttle body position sensor
• Faulty accelerator pedal position sensor
• Faulty throttle actuator control motor
• Faulty throttle position actuator
• Throttle position sensor that needs to be reprogrammed (this needs to be done by the dealer)

What are the symptoms of the P2140 code?

• Check Engine Light is on
• Black smoke from the exhaust
• No acceleration power
• Poor acceleration power
• Complete loss of power
• Loss of power at highway speeds
• The engine will not start at all
• The engine may start and then stall
• The engine may stall when coming to a stop
• Throttle (RPM) is stuck

How does a mechanic diagnose the P2140 code?

• Inspects all wiring and connectors for damage, disconnection, shorts, or corrosion

• Repairs or replaces any wiring and/or connectors that are damaged, disconnected, shorted or corroded

• Uses an OBD-II scanner to collect all of the trouble codes and freeze frame data that have been stored by the PCM

• Clears the codes and completes a test drive to see if the P2140 trouble code comes back (if it does not come back immediately, it could be an indication that an intermittent problem exists; it may need to worsen before the problem can be diagnosed properly)

• Uses a volt/ohmmeter to check the voltage and ground signals of the throttle position sensor electrical connector (the reference signal should be at 5-volts; voltage specifications are set by the manufacturer)

If the throttle position sensor electrical connector does not give a voltage and/or ground signal:

• Tests the resistance and continuity of the circuits

• Repairs circuits that are damaged, or those that have shorts or opens

• Clears the stored trouble codes and completes a test drive to see if the code comes back

If the code comes back:

• Views the waveform pattern of the throttle pedal sensor, using an oscilloscope

If the waveform pattern does not slowly increase or decrease:

• Replaces the throttle pedal sensor

• Clears the codes and completes a test drive to see if the code comes back (if the code returns, then there is a possibility that the PCM may need to be replaced or reprogrammed)

• Tests the throttle actuator control motor connector for voltage and ground signals, using a scanner

If the throttle actuator control motor connector does not give a voltage and/or ground signal:

• Tests the resistance and continuity of the circuits

• Repairs circuits that are damaged, or those that have shorts or opens

If the throttle actuator motor or throttle body sensor is faulty, the entire throttle body assembly will need to be replaced. This is due to the location of these sensors being inside the throttle body assembly itself. If the throttle body assembly needs to be replaced, it is also recommended that the throttle pedal sensor be replaced as well.

Common mistakes when diagnosing the P2140 code

One common mistake when diagnosing the P2140 trouble code is that misfire codes, fuel injector codes, lean codes, and/or transmission codes are determined to be the issue. It is important to diagnose trouble codes in the order that they appear, if other trouble codes have been stored by the PCM. It is also important to check the wiring and connectors thoroughly before replacing any components.

How serious is the P2140 code?

The P2140 diagnostic trouble code can cause serious drivability issues, such as a loss of power, stalling, and the inability to accelerate when acceleration is necessary. This can prove to be extremely dangerous, and accidents are more likely possible. For these reasons, this trouble code is considered serious and should be diagnosed and repaired as soon as possible.

What repairs can fix the P2140 code?

• Repairing or replacing damaged wiring and connectors
• Replacing electronic throttle body
• Replace throttle body position sensor
• Replace accelerator pedal position sensor
• Replace throttle actuator control motor
• Replace throttle position actuator
• Reprogram throttle position sensor

Additional comments for consideration regarding the P2140 code

The throttle position sensor and throttle actuator sensor are located inside the throttle body assembly. Although these sensors can be diagnosed separately, because of their location, it is not possible to replace them separately. Therefore, if the throttle position sensor and/or throttle actuator sensor is faulty, the entire throttle body assembly will need to be replaced. This is the most common solution to the P2140 diagnostic trouble code.

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