P0223: Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch B Circuit High
A generic powertrain (engine and transmission) trouble code, same meaning on every brand.
Drive gently to a shop.
Symptoms
- Reduced power mode
- Throttle response cut
- High idle in some cases
Likely causes, most common first
- Sensor B signal shorted to voltage
- Sensor failed high
- Harness chafed against the engine
- Water in the connector
Read P0223 yourself before paying for diagnosis
A basic Bluetooth OBD-II scanner ($20-40) plugs into the port under the dashboard and shows this code with live sensor data on your phone - useful both for confirming the fix and for talking to a shop from an informed position.
What is going on and how it gets diagnosed
P0223 pins throttle sensor B at the top of its range. The redundant-sensor design means the computer knows immediately which sensor is lying - the two run opposite slopes on many designs precisely so that a short affecting both is detectable - and it responds by limiting power rather than guessing.
The same economy applies as with P0222: the sensor is part of the throttle body, the wiring is not. The harness section between the engine and the body flexes with every throttle blip and torque movement, and a conductor broken inside intact insulation there can read open or shorted intermittently. Wiggle-testing while watching live sensor voltage is the technique that catches it.
Repair options and cost
Typical US independent-shop ranges, parts and labor. Dealers run higher; regional labor rates vary.
Owner reports mentioning P0223
“While driving down the high way car began to sputter and jolt felt much like someone slamming on brakes aggressively and then releasing and motor stopped completely. Was able to pull over and put hazards on. After running diagnostics test discovered that the TAC system was faulty. Codes: P0122 , P0223 , P0110 . Car will start and idle briefly and some times drive down the road but always ends up dying while driving abruptly and hazardously without warning. Car still will start but scared to drive it for fear of causing domino effect on damaging the car. Would like the limited warranty on this product to apply to fixing this problem.”2009 Ford Fusion · Jun 2022
Cars that report P0223 most often
Based on mentions of this code in NHTSA owner complaints.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive with P0223?
Drive gently to a shop.
How much does it cost to fix P0223?
Typical US repair costs range from $80 for the simplest fix (connector or wiring repair) to $900 in the worst case. The right number depends on which cause your car has - see the causes list.
Related codes
The codes closest to P0223. They often appear together, and telling them apart is usually what narrows the diagnosis.
Definition per SAE J2012 standard nomenclature. Symptoms, causes and costs are editorial guidance - always confirm with a diagnosis of your specific vehicle.