Description
OBD-II Trouble Code Description for P0120 Audi
Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch “A” Circuit
What does this mean?
OBD2 Code P0120 Audi definition:
The TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) is a potentiometer that is mounted to the throttle body. It detects the throttle blade angle. As the throttle blade moves, the TPS sends a signal to the PCM (Powertrain Control Module). Usually a three wire sensor: A 5 volt reference from the PCM to the TPS, a ground from the PCM to the TPS, and a signal return from the TPS to the PCM.
The TPS sends the throttle position information back to the PCM on this signal wire. When the throttle is closed the signal is near .45 volts. At WOT (Wide Open Throttle) the TPS signal voltage will approach a full 5 volts. When the PCM sees a voltage that is outside of normal operating range, P0120 Audi will set.
NOTE: The PCM knows that any large change in throttle position means a cooresponding change in manifold pressure (MAP). On some models the PCM will monitor MAP and TPS operation for comparison. Meaning that if the PCM sees a large percentage change in throttle position, it expects to see a cooresponding change in manifold pressure and vice versa. If it doesn’t see this comparitive change, P0120 Audi may set. This doesn’t apply to all models.
Symptoms
Possible sumptoms of OBD code P0120 Audi
Potential symptoms include:
MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) illumination
Misfiring at idle or at highway speed
Poor idle quality
Possibly won’t idle
Possibly starts and stalls
Causes
Possible causes of OBD code P0120 Audi
Potential causes of the P0120 Audi code include:
Sticking throttle return spring
MAP or TPS connector corrosion
Misrouted harness causing chafing
Bad TPS
Bad PCM
Possible Solutions
If you have access to a scan tool, with KOEO (Key on engine off) observe the TPS voltage. With throttle closed, voltage should be about .45 volts. It should gradually sweep upwards to approximately 4.5 to 5 volts as you depress the throttle. Sometimes only a scope can capture an intermittent glitch in the TPS signal voltage. If you notice a glitch in the TPS sweep voltage, replace the TPS.
NOTE: Some TPS sensors require fine adjustment. If you aren’t comfortable with using a DVOM (Digital Volt Ohm meter) to adjust the new TPS, then it’s best to take the vehicle to a shop. If the voltage is not .45 volts (+or- .3 volts or so) with the throttle closed or if the reading is “stuck” then unplug the TPS connector. With KOEO check for 5 volts reference voltage present at the connector and a good ground. You can check the signal circuit for continuity by jumping a fused wire between the ground circuit of the TPS connector and the signal circuit. If the TPS reading on the scan tool now reads zero, then replace the TPS. However if that doesn’t change the reading to zero, then check for an open or a short on the signal wire and if none is found, suspect a bad PCM. If manipulating the TPS wiring harness causes any change in idle, then suspect bad TPS.
The OBD2 Code Information Be Applicable For Audi:
2013 Audi TT ultra quattro Concept,2013 Audi TT RS plus,2013 Audi TTS Roadster competition,2013 Audi TTS Coupe competition,2013 Audi Sport quattro Concept,2013 Audi SQ5 TDI,2013 Audi S8,2013 Audi S7 Sportback,2013 Audi S6 Avant,2013 Audi S6,2013 Audi S4 Avant,2013 Audi S4,2013 Audi RS5 DTM,2013 Audi RS4 Avant,2013 Audi R8 e-tron Concept,2013 Audi R8 V10 plus,2013 Audi R8 V10 Spyder,2013 Audi R8 V10,2013 Audi R8,2013 Audi Q5,2013 Audi Nanuk quattro Concept,2013 Audi A8 L Hybrid,2013 Audi A8 Hybrid,2013 Audi A6 allroad quattro,2013 Audi A6 Black Edition,2013 Audi A4 allroad quattro,2013 Audi A4 Avant,2013 Audi A4,2013 Audi A3 e-tron Concept,2013 Audi A3,2013 Audi A1 quattro,2012 Audi e-bike Worthersee Concept,2012 Audi S5 Sportback,2012 Audi S5 Cabriolet,2012 Audi S5,2012 Audi RS Q3 Concept,2012 Audi RS5,2012 Audi RS3 Sportback,2012 Audi R8 GT Spyder,2012 Audi R8 Exclusive Selection,2012 Audi Q5 Hybrid quattro,2012 Audi Q3 Vail Concept,2012 Audi Q3 Jinlong Yufeng Concept,2012 Audi Q3,2012 Audi Crosslane Coupe Concept,2012 Audi A8 L Security,2012 Audi A6 L e-tron Concept,2012 Audi A6 Hybrid,2012 Audi A6 Avant,2012 Audi A6,2012 Audi A5 Sportback,2012 Audi A5 DTM,2012 Audi A5 Coupe,2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet,2012 Audi A1 amplified,2012 Audi A1 Sportback,2011 Audi Urban Spyder Concept,2011 Audi Urban Concept,2011 Audi TT Roadster,2011 Audi TT Coupe,2011 Audi TTS Roadster,2011 Audi TTS Coupe,2011 Audi S5 Sportback,2011 Audi RS5,2011 Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro,2011 Audi R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro,2011 Audi R8 GT,2011 Audi R18,2011 Audi Q7,2011 Audi A8 L,2011 Audi A8,2011 Audi A7 Sportback,2011 Audi A3 e-tron Concept,2011 Audi A3 Sportback,2011 Audi A3 Concept,2011 Audi A3 Cabriolet,2011 Audi A3,2011 Audi A2 Concept,2011 Audi A1 clubsport quattro Concept,2011 Audi A1,2010 Audi quattro Concept,2010 Audi e-tron Spyder Concept,2010 Audi e-tron Concept,2010 Audi TT RS Roadster,2010 Audi TT RS,2010 Audi TT GT4 Concept,2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet,2010 Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI quattro,2010 Audi Q7,2010 Audi A8 Hybrid Concept,2010 Audi A5 Sportback,2010 Audi A5 Cabriolet,2010 Audi A4 allroad quattro,2010 Audi A1 e-tron Concept,2009 Audi e-tron Concept,2009 Audi TTS Roadster,2009 Audi TTS Coupe,2009 Audi Sportback Concept,2009 Audi S6 Avant,2009 Audi S6,2009 Audi S4 Avant,2009 Audi S4,2009 Audi S3 Sportback,2009 Audi S3,2009 Audi RS6,2009 Audi R8 GT3,2009 Audi Q7 V12 TDI,2009 Audi Q5 Custom Concept,2009 Audi Q5,2009 Audi A6 allroad quattro,2009 Audi A6 Avant,2009 Audi A6,2009 Audi A4 Avant,2009 Audi A4,2009 Audi A3 Sportback,2009 Audi A3,2008 Audi TT clubsport quattro Concept,2008 Audi TT Roadster 3.2 quattro,2008 Audi TT Coupe,2008 Audi S8,2008 Audi S6,2008 Audi S5,2008 Audi S4 Cabriolet,2008 Audi RS6 Avant UK Version,2008 Audi RS6 Avant,2008 Audi RS4 Cabriolet,2008 Audi RS4,2008 Audi R8 V12 TDI Concept,2008 Audi R8 TDI Le Mans Concept,2008 Audi R8,2008 Audi Q7,2008 Audi A8 L,2008 Audi A8 4.2 TDI quattro,2008 Audi A8L W12 quattro,2008 Audi A8,2008 Audi A6 Avant,2008 Audi A6,2008 Audi A5 3.0 TDI quattro,2008 Audi A5,2008 Audi A4 US Version,2008 Audi A4 TDI Concept e,2008 Audi A4 Cabriolet,2008 Audi A4,2008 Audi A3 US Version,2008 Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro Concept,2008 Audi A3 Cabriolet,2008 Audi A1 Sportback Concept,2007 Audi metroproject quattro Concept,2007 Audi TT clubsport quattro Concept,2007 Audi TT Roadster 2.0 TFSI,2007 Audi TT Roadster,2007 Audi TT Coupe S-line,2007 Audi TT Coupe,2007 Audi S3,2007 Audi R8,2007 Audi Q7 V12 TDI Concept,2007 Audi Q7 V12 TDI,2007 Audi Cross Coupe quattro Concept,2007 Audi Cross Cabriolet quattro Concept,2006 Audi S8,2006 Audi S6 Avant,2006 Audi S6,2006 Audi S4 Cabriolet,2006 Audi Roadjet Concept,2006 Audi RS 4 Cabriolet,2006 Audi RS 4 Avant,2006 Audi RS4,2006 Audi Q7,2006 Audi A8 Security,2006 Audi A6 allroad quattro,2006 Audi A4 Cabriolet,2006 Audi A3 2.0T,2005 Audi allroad quattro V8 4.2,2005 Audi allroad quattro V6 2.7T,2005 Audi TT quattro sport,2005 Audi TT Roadster 3.2,2005 Audi TT Roadster 1.8T,2005 Audi TT Coupe 3.2,2005 Audi TT Coupe 1.8T,2005 Audi Shooting Brake Concept,2005 Audi S4 Cabriolet,2005 Audi S4 Avant,2005 Audi S4,2005 Audi RS4,2005 Audi Q7 Hybrid Concept,2005 Audi Allroad quattro Concept,2005 Audi A8 L W12,2005 Audi A8 L 4.2,2005 Audi A8 4.2 TDI quattro,2005 Audi A8 4.2,2005 Audi A8 3.2 FSI quattro,2005 Audi A8L 4.2 TDI quattro,2005 Audi A6 Avant,2005 Audi A6 4.2 quattro Sline,2005 Audi A6 3.2,2005 Audi A6 3.0 TDI quattro,2005 Audi A6L,2005 Audi A4 DTM Edition,2005 Audi A4 Cabriolet,2005 Audi A4 Avant 3.2 quattro,2005 Audi A4 3.2 quattro,2005 Audi A4 3.0 TDI quattro,2005 Audi A4 2.0T,2005 Audi A3 2.0 TDI 3-door,2004 Audi S4 Cabriolet,2004 Audi RSQ Concept,2004 Audi RS6 plus,2004 Audi A8 L 6.0 W12 quattro,2004 Audi A8 L 3.0 quattro,2004 Audi A8 4.2 quattro,2004 Audi A8 3.7 quattro,2004 Audi A8 3.0 TDI quattro,2004 Audi A8,2004 Audi A3 Sportback quattro,2004 Audi A3 Sportback S-line,2004 Audi A3 Sportback,2004 Audi A3 3-door,2003 Audi allroad quattro,2003 Audi TT Roadster 3.2 quattro,2003 Audi TT 3.2 DSG quattro,2003 Audi Pikes Peake quattro Concept,2003 Audi Nuvolari quattro Concept,2003 Audi Le Mans quattro Concept,2003 Audi A8 L 4.2 quattro,2003 Audi A8 4.0 TDI quattro,2003 Audi A4,2003 Audi A3 3.2 V6 3-door,2003 Audi A3 3-door,2003 Audi A2,2002 Audi allroad quattro 4.2,2002 Audi allroad quattro,2002 Audi TT Roadster,2002 Audi S6 Avant,2002 Audi S6,2002 Audi S4 Avant,2002 Audi S4,2002 Audi S3,2002 Audi RS6 Sedan,2002 Audi RS6 Avant,2002 Audi RS6,2002 Audi A6,2002 Audi A4 Cabriolet 3.0,2002 Audi A4 Cabriolet 2.4,2002 Audi A4 Cabriolet 1.8 T,2002 Audi A4 Cabriolet,2002 Audi A4 Avant,2002 Audi A4,2002 Audi A3 3-door,2002 Audi A2,2001 Audi TT Coupe,2001 Audi Avantissimo Concept,2001 Audi A8 L 6.0 quattro,2001 Audi A6 Avant,2001 Audi A6,2001 Audi A4 Avant,2001 Audi A4
Note:
1. The list of automotive Makes at the right edge of the screen. The currently selected ODB-ii codes is for the Audi makes.
2. Look up the other OBD II Trouble Codes, please use the search box. Enter the 5 character trouble codes in the search box and submit the search.
3. Don’t assume a particular OBD-II code means the same for other auto manufacturers as there are many makes specific codes in use.
4. If your OBD-II trouble codes are for a different car, select that vehicle series before searching for the diagnostic codes because not all OBD2 codes used by one manufacture are used by the other makes.
5. The information contained on this site is presented for informational purposes only. We are not responsible for any actions you take on your vehicle. If you have any doubt as to repairs on your vehicle, please contact your technician.