GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Diagnostic Instructions

    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

DTC Descriptors

DTC P1516: Throttle Actuator Control (TAC) Module Throttle Actuator Position Performance

DTC P2101: Throttle Actuator Position Performance

DTC P2119: Throttle Closed Position Performance

DTC P2176: Minimum Throttle Position Not Learned

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

Motor Control 1

P1516, P2101, P2119, P2176

P1516, P2101, P2119, P2176

P1516, P2101, P2119, P2176

P1516, P2101, P2119, P2176

Motor Control 2

P1516, P2101, P2119, P2176

P1516, P2101, P2119, P2176

P0690, P1516, P2101, P2119, P2176

P1516, P2101, P2119, P2176

Circuit/System Description

The engine control module (ECM) is the control center for the throttle actuator control (TAC) system. The ECM determines the drivers intent and then calculates the appropriate throttle response. The ECM achieves throttle positioning by providing a pulse width modulated voltage to the TAC motor. The TAC system uses the following circuits:

    • Motor control 1
    • Motor control 2

Two processors are also used to monitor the TAC system data. Both processors are located within the ECM. Both processors monitor each other's data to verify that the indicated throttle position is correct.

Conditions for Running the DTC

P1516 and P2101

    • DTC P0068 or P0121 are not set.
    • The ignition is ON.
    • The ignition voltage is more than 11 volts.
    • The system is not in the Battery Save mode.
    • The engine is running.
    • DTC P1516 and P2101 run continuously when the above conditions are met.

P2119

    • The ignition is ON.
    • The ignition voltage is more than 8 volts.
    • The system is in the Battery Save mode.
    • DTC P2119 runs continuously when the above conditions are met.

P2176

    • DTC P0068, P0120, P0122, P0123, P0220, P0222, or P0223 are not set.
    • The ignition is ON.
    • The ignition voltage is more than 8 volts.
    • The system is not in the Battery Save mode.
    • The engine is running.
    • DTC P2176 run continuously when the above conditions are met.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

P1516

The indicated throttle position does not match the predicted throttle position for less than 1 second.

P2101

The indicated throttle position does not match the predicted throttle position for less than 1 second.

P2119

The ECM determines that the throttle blade did not return to the rest position within 1 second.

P2176

The difference between the predicted and the actual throttle position is more than a calibrated amount for more than 1.8 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • DTCs P1516, P2101, and P2176 are Type A DTCs.
    • DTC P2119 is a Type C DTC.
    • The control module commands the TAC system to operate in the Reduced Engine Power mode.
    • A message center or an indicator displays Reduced Engine Power.
    • Under certain conditions, the control module commands the engine OFF.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

    • DTCs P1516, P2101, and P2176 are Type A DTCs.
    • DTC P2119 is a Type C DTC.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Engine Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference

    •  Engine Controls Connector End Views
    •  Engine Control Module Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Throttle Actuator Control (TAC) System Description

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

DTC Type Reference

Powertrain Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Type Definitions

Scan Tool Reference

    •  Scan Tool Data List
    •  Scan Tool Data Definitions

Circuit/System Verification

  1. Ignition ON, use a scan tool to observe the throttle position (TP) sensor 1 indicated position. The throttle position should increase as the pedal is applied, and decrease as the pedal is released. When no accelerator pedal activity is detected, the throttle position will return to the spring loaded default position.
  2. Engine running, observe the DTC information with a scan tool. DTCs P1516, P2101, P2119 or P2176 should not set.
  3. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that you observed from the Freeze Frame/Failure Records data.

Circuit/System Testing

    Important: A low voltage condition may set this DTC.

  1. Review the Freeze Frame/Failure Records and ensure sufficient ignition voltage was present when the DTC was set.
  2. If voltage was low, verify with the owner that the battery was not discharged.

    Caution: Turn OFF the ignition before inserting fingers into the throttle bore. Unexpected movement of the throttle blade could cause personal injury.

  3. Inspect the throttle body for the following conditions:
  4. • A throttle blade that is NOT in the rest position
    • A throttle blade that is binding when open or closed
    • A throttle blade that is free to move open or closed WITHOUT spring pressure
    If a condition is found replace the throttle body assembly.

    Important: Disconnecting the throttle body harness connector causes additional DTCs to set.

  5. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the throttle body.
  6. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp does not illuminate between motor control 1 circuit terminal B and ground.
  7. If a test lamp illuminates, test the motor control circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  8. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp does not illuminate between motor control 2 circuit terminal A and ground.
  9. If a test lamp illuminates, test the motor control circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  10. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp does not illuminate between motor control 1 circuit terminal B and B+.
  11. If a test lamp illuminates, test the motor control circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  12. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp does not illuminate between motor control 2 circuit terminal A and B+.
  13. If the test lamp illuminates, test the motor control circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  14. Ignition OFF, allow sufficient time for the ECM to completely power down. Connect a DMM between the motor control 1 circuit terminal B and ground.
  15. Important: When measuring peak voltage, ensure that the DMM is on the proper voltage scale and that the response time is set to 1 ms.

  16. Measure for ignition voltage on the motor control 1 terminal B circuit as the ignition is turned ON.
  17. If voltage is not within 1 volt of B+, test the circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  18. Ignition OFF, allow sufficient time for the ECM to completely power down. Connect a DMM between the motor control 2 terminal A circuit and ground.
  19. Measure the voltage on the motor control 2 terminal A circuit as the ignition is turned ON. Voltage should be within 1 volt of ignition voltage.
  20. If the peak voltage is not within 1 volt of B+, test the circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  21. If all circuits test normal, replace the throttle body.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Throttle Body Assembly Replacement
    •  Control Module References for ECM replacement, setup, and programming