OBD-II Diagnostic Trouble Code
P0220 — Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch B Circuit
P0220 means the ECM detected a general circuit fault on the throttle or accelerator pedal position sensor B. On diesels and drive-by-wire gas engines, pedal sensors A and B are redundant signals that the ECM cross-checks. This code points to an electrical problem with the B signal circuit.
Severity 4/5
Truck-relevant
Stop within 50 mi
Severity
Stop within 50 mi
Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch B Circuit
Code
P0220
Category
Powertrain
Subsystem
Throttle
Truck-relevant
Yes
What this means for truckers
Stop within ~50 miles on a Cummins X15, Detroit DD15, PACCAR MX-13. Driving longer risks damaging adjacent components (turbo housing, head gasket, aftertreatment) and turning a $300 fix into a $3,000 fix.
Before you replace parts — try this first
P0220 on the Throttle system is most often faulty accelerator pedal assembly (worn sensor b track) — not a dead part. On commercial diesels especially, work these in order before spending money on parts:
- Confirm the symptoms. Match what your truck is doing to the Symptoms section below. If the code is set but the symptoms are not there, clear the code and re-test after a drive cycle — it may not return.
- Clean and dry the sensor connector. Water, road salt, or oil seeping into a connector is the #1 fake sensor failure. Disconnect, look for green corrosion or moisture, spray with electrical contact cleaner, dry, reseat. Many faults clear here for $0.
- Inspect the wiring harness. Trace the wire from the sensor toward the ECM — look for chafing against the engine block, melted insulation near the turbo or exhaust, or pinch points where a clamp has rubbed through.
- Test the sensor before swapping it. Most Common Causes (below) list the expected voltage or resistance range — a $20 multimeter saves a $300 sensor swap that does not fix the problem.
- Only then, replace the part. Use the OEM or a tier-1 aftermarket. Cheap sensors throw the same code in two weeks.
Symptoms
Reduced power or limp mode, engine stuck at idle or limited rpm, poor throttle response and a check engine light. On many trucks the ECM ignores pedal input and holds idle if both signals are lost.
Common causes
- CommonFaulty accelerator pedal assembly (worn sensor B track) ($150–$500)
- CommonDamaged wiring or corroded connector at the pedal ($100–$400)
- OccasionalShorted 5V reference shared with other sensors ($150–$500)
- RareECM fault ($1200–$3500)
How to fix
Check 5V reference, ground and sensor B signal at the pedal connector
When to use: First diagnostic step
Sweep the pedal while graphing sensor A and B and look for dropouts
When to use: When the fault is intermittent
Repair wiring or replace the accelerator pedal assembly
When to use: When the pedal or harness is found faulty
Affects most
No specific vehicle pattern found in our complaint database. This code can appear on any vehicle that supports OBD-II diagnostics.
Related
- → Browse all DTC trouble codes
- → Decode a VIN to check codes for your truck
- → Owner-operator maintenance guides
- → P0200 — Injector Circuit Malfunction
- → P0201 — Injector Circuit Malfunction - Cylinder 1
- → P0202 — Injector Circuit Malfunction - Cylinder 2
- → P0203 — Injector Circuit Malfunction - Cylinder 3
- → P0204 — Injector Circuit Malfunction - Cylinder 4
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with code P0220?
Drive with caution. P0220 is severity 4 — stop within ~50 miles. Most commercial diesel codes at this severity (turbo, fuel rail, transmission solenoid) can damage adjacent expensive components if left unrepaired. Get to a service location before highway-speed loads.
How much does it cost to fix P0220 on a commercial truck?
Total repair cost ranges $100–$3500 depending on the root cause. The cheapest fix is usually the first one listed below — Faulty accelerator pedal assembly (worn sensor B track) — which is also the most common. On commercial trucks the cost is usually higher than passenger vehicles due to part availability and shop labor rates ($120–185/hour at most truck shops, vs $90–130 at general auto shops). DIY-capable fixes (sensors, hoses, filters) are at the low end; major component replacements (turbo actuator, high-pressure fuel pump, transmission solenoid pack) are at the high end. Always diagnose with a scan tool BEFORE replacing parts — guessing wrong on a $1,500 turbo actuator when the actual issue was a $30 boost hose is a common expensive mistake.
Will P0220 fail a DOT inspection?
P0220 is generally not a direct DOT inspection fail item by itself. Inspectors focus on safety-critical systems (brakes, steering, tires, lights, hours-of-service). However, the check engine light alone can trigger additional inspection scrutiny. Best practice: fix the code and clear it before a planned inspection.
What's the difference between P0220 and related codes?
P0220 is closely related to: P0200 (Injector Circuit Malfunction), P0201 (Injector Circuit Malfunction - Cylinder 1), P0202 (Injector Circuit Malfunction - Cylinder 2), P0203 (Injector Circuit Malfunction - Cylinder 3). These codes share the same subsystem (throttle) and often appear together. If you see this code, scan for the full code list — fixing the root cause usually clears multiple companion codes at once. If only P0220 is set without the companions, the issue is more isolated.
How do I prevent P0220 from coming back after a repair?
For P0220 (Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch B Circuit), prevention centers on the throttle system. Clean throttle body at 100K mile intervals. Don't let carbon build up. Avoid extended idle time.