P2140 Code: Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch E/F Voltage Correlation

What the P2140 code means

For safety, the gas pedal and the electronic throttle each carry two independent position sensors. The standard names them with letters (A, B, C through F). On many vehicles D and E are the two pedal sensors, although each manufacturer assigns the letters in its own way.

Sensors E and F measure the same thing. The computer compares their signals all the time, and if the difference goes past a margin for long enough, it stores the P2140 code. Each sensor can be fine on its own and fail only when the two are compared.

The most frequent cause is wear on the resistive track of one of the sensors, a corroded connector or a shared ground with resistance. At the throttle, dirt does not usually set this code. At the pedal, wear does.

P2140 code symptoms

• Check engine light on.
• Limited power mode.
• Uneven or jerky throttle response.
• The engine may stay at idle.

Likely causes of the P2140 code

1. Worn pedal sensor. The most frequent cause when the letters belong to the pedal.
2. Worn throttle sensor built into the throttle body.
3. Corroded connector. It shifts one of the signals.
4. Ground or reference with resistance. It affects one signal more than the other.
5. Damaged wire in the pedal or throttle harness.

How to diagnose the P2140 code step by step

1. Graph the two signals on the scan tool and press the pedal slowly. They should move in parallel, with no jumps.
2. Work out whether they belong to the pedal or the throttle using the vehicle wiring diagram.
3. Measure the reference and ground of each sensor with the connector plugged in.
4. Inspect the connectors at the pedal and the throttle body.
5. Do a wiggle test on the harness while you watch the signals.

How to fix the P2140 code

• Replace the pedal assembly or the throttle body, depending on where the sensors are.
• Repair the connector or the wiring.
• Run the throttle and pedal relearn if the manufacturer calls for it.
• Clear the codes and verify the repair.

Technical reference data

• Each sensor has its own 5 V reference and its own ground.
• Pedal released: one signal near 0.5 to 1 V and the other around half of that range, depending on the manufacturer.
• Pedal fully pressed: the first signal near 4 V.
• These are general reference values, so check the manufacturer data for your vehicle.

Brand-specific notes

This system is everywhere. Chevrolet, Ford, Nissan, Toyota, Hyundai, Kia, Volkswagen and Renault use it on almost all of their current gasoline engines. Dirt in the throttle body is the most repeated cause on these vehicles.

For a correlation code, identify first which physical sensors the letters E and F refer to on your model. That tells you whether to look at the pedal or the throttle body.

Frequently asked questions about P2140