What P0229 means
The official wording is Throttle/pedal position sensor C circuit intermittent. Modern pedals and throttles use more than one sensor so the ECU can cross-check them, and sensor C's signal has been dropping in and out.
The P0229 code can be a loose plug, a rubbed-through wire or a worn sensor, and an intermittent fault like this is easy to throw parts at. A £100 + VAT diagnostic at your home or workplace finds which fix you're paying for.
| Fix | When it's the answer | Where it's done | Price | Road use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile diagnostics | First, to catch the signal dropping out on live data | Your home or workplace | £100 + VAT | Yes |
| Connector clean or wiring repair | The signal drops when the loom or plug is moved | Garage | Garage quote | Yes |
| New accelerator pedal assembly | The sensor built into the pedal is worn | Garage | Garage quote | Yes |
| New throttle body | Sensor C sits in the throttle body on that engine and has failed | Garage | Garage quote | Yes |
The official wording is Throttle/pedal position sensor C circuit intermittent. Modern pedals and throttles use more than one sensor so the ECU can cross-check them, and sensor C's signal has been dropping in and out.
Because the fault comes and goes, the car may feel perfect one day and stumble the next. The usual signs are a sudden loss of throttle response, a jerky pick-up or the engine dropping to idle as you press the pedal.
Many vehicles go into limp mode with P0229 and stay there until the engine is restarted. The engine light and sometimes a traction or ESP warning come on at the same time.
Take care. A pedal signal that drops out can leave you without power when pulling out or overtaking, which is a real safety risk. Keep journeys to what's needed and get it diagnosed quickly.
Diagnostics is £100 + VAT, wherever the vehicle is parked.
We watch all the pedal and throttle sensor signals while the pedal is moved slowly through its travel and the wiring is moved.
You'll know whether it's the plug, the wiring, the pedal or the throttle body.
A garage replaces the part or repairs the loom, and you go in knowing exactly what's needed.
A connector or wiring repair is usually cheaper than a new pedal or throttle body. The diagnostic tells you which you need before a part is ordered.
Yes. A pedal that cuts power without warning is a safety issue, whatever the age of the car.
No. If the fault is in the wiring or the throttle body, a new pedal changes nothing. Catching the dropout on live data first saves the cost.
We diagnose it on site. On an Audi A4, a Ford or any other make, the repair itself goes to a garage with our findings.
Yes. With an intermittent fault, live data is the only reliable way to see which part is dropping out.
Tell us the registration and when the throttle cuts out, and we'll confirm the price and book a time that suits.
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