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 P2120 03: Accelerator Pedal Position (APP) Sensor 1 Circuit Voltage Below Threshold

DTC P2120 07: Accelerator Pedal Position (APP) Sensor 1 Circuit Voltage Above Threshold

DTC P2125 03: Accelerator Pedal Position (APP) Sensor 2 Circuit Voltage Below Threshold

DTC P2125 07: Accelerator Pedal Position (APP) Sensor 2 Circuit Voltage Above Threshold

DTC P2138 5A: Accelerator Pedal Position (APP) Sensor 1-2 Correlation Plausibility Failure

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

High Resistance

Open

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

Accelerator Pedal Position (APP) Sensor 1 5-Volt Reference Circuit

P0641

P2138

P2120

P0641

--

Accelerator Pedal Position (APP) Sensor 2 5-Volt Reference Circuit

P0651

P2138

P2125

P0651, P0190

--

Accelerator Pedal Position (APP) Sensor 1 Signal

P2120

P2138

P2120

P0641, P2120

P2138

Accelerator Pedal Position (APP) Sensor 2 Signal

P2125

P2138

P2125

P2125

P2138

Accelerator Pedal Position (APP) Sensor 1 Low Reference

--

P2138

P2120

--

--

Accelerator Pedal Position (APP) Sensor 1 Low Reference

--

P2138

P2125

--

--

Typical Scan Tool Data

APP Sensor

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open

Short to Voltage

Operating Conditions: The engine is operating at idle.

Parameter Normal Range: APP Sensor 1 0.9-1.2 Volts

Parameter Normal Range: APP Sensor 2 varies 0.45-0.62 Volts

5-Volt Reference 1

0 Volts

0 Volts

APP 1 2.08 Volts

5-Volt Reference 2

0 Volts

0 Volts

APP 2 0.86 Volts

APP Sensor 1 Signal

0 Volts

0 Volts

5 Volts

APP Sensor 2 Signal

0 Volts

0 Volts

5 Volts

APP Sensor 1 Low Reference

--

5 Volts

--

APP Sensor 2 Low Reference

--

5 Volts

--

Circuit/System Description

The accelerator pedal assembly contains two accelerator pedal position (APP) sensors. The APP sensors are mounted in the pedal assembly and are not serviceable. The APP sensors provide a signal voltage that changes relative to the position of the accelerator pedal. The engine control module (ECM) supplies a separate 5-volt reference and low reference circuit for each of the APP sensors.

The APP sensor 1 signal voltage increases as the pedal is depressed, from approximately 1 volt at rest to above 4 volts when fully depressed. The APP sensor 2 signal voltage increases as the pedal is depressed, from approximately 0.5 volts at rest to more than 2 volts with the accelerator pedal fully depressed.

Conditions for Running the DTCs

    • The ignition is ON or the engine is operating.
    • The DTCs run continuously once the above conditions are met.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

P2120 03

The APP sensor 1 voltage is less than 0.59 volts for more than 4 seconds.

P2120 07

The APP sensor 1 voltage is more than 4.62 volts for more than 4 seconds.

P2125 03

The APP sensor 2 voltage is less than 0.28 volts for more than 4 seconds.

P2125 07

The APP sensor 2 voltage is more than 2.32 volts for more than 4 seconds.

P2138 5A

The ECM detects that the voltage difference between APP sensor 1 and 2 is more than a predetermined value.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

DTCs P2120, P2125, and P2138 are Type C DTCs.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

DTCs P2120, P2125, and P2138 are Type C DTCs.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Engine Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

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

Control Module References

Circuit/System Verification

  1. Ignition ON, observe the scan tool APP Sensor parameters. Both readings should be between 0.4-1.5 volts.
  2. Rapidly depress the accelerator pedal from the rest position to the wide open throttle position (WOT) and release pedal. Repeat the procedure several times. DTCs P2120, P2125, or P2138 should not set.
  3. Slowly depress the accelerator pedal to WOT and then slowly return the pedal to closed throttle. Repeat the procedure several times. DTCs P2120, P2125, or P2138 should not set.
  4. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC to verify the DTC does not reset. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that you observed from the Freeze Frame/Failure Records data.

Circuit/System Testing

  1. Ignition OFF, and the MAIN fuse removed, disconnect the harness connector at the accelerator pedal assembly.
  2. Test for less than 5 ohms of resistance between the appropriate low reference circuit and ground.
  3. • APP Sensor 1 low reference circuit terminal 4
    • APP Sensor 2 low reference circuit terminal 2
    If greater than the specified range, test the low reference circuit for a short to voltage, or an open/high resistance. If the circuits test normal, replace the ECM.

    Important: The 5-volt reference circuits are internally and externally connected at the ECM. Other component DTCs may be set. If other DTCs are set, review the electrical schematic and diagnose the applicable circuits and components.

  4. Install the MAIN fuse. Ignition ON, test for 4.8-5.2 volts between the appropriate 5-volt reference circuit and ground.
  5. • APP Sensor 1 5-volt reference circuit terminal 5
    • APP Sensor 2 5-volt reference circuit terminal 6
    If less the specified range, test the 5-volt reference circuit for a short to ground or open/high resistance. If the circuits test normal, replace the ECM.
    If greater than the specified range, test the 5-volt reference circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuits test normal, replace the ECM.
  6. Verify the appropriate scan tool APP sensor parameter is less than 0.3 volt.
  7. • APP Sensor 1 signal circuit terminal 3
    • APP Sensor 2 signal circuit terminal 1
    If greater than the specified range, test the appropriate signal circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuits test normal, replace the ECM.
  8. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the appropriate signal circuit and the 5-volt reference circuit. Verify the scan tool APP sensor parameter is greater than 4.8 volts.
  9. If less than the specified range, test the appropriate signal circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuits test normal, replace the ECM.
    If both scan tool APP sensor parameters display greater than the specified range, test the signal circuits for being shorted together condition. If the circuits test normal, replace the ECM.
  10. If all circuits test normal, replace the accelerator pedal assembly.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor Replacement
    •  Control Module References for engine control module replacement, setup, and programming