P0228
Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch C Circuit High Input
When a vehicle powertrain module registers the fault code P0228, it points directly to an internal system malfunction identified as "Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch C Circuit High Input". Operating your engine under this condition may degrade long-term fuel maps.
Driver's Summary
Storing code P0228 is your car's way of telling you something is wrong with the throttle/pedal position sensor/switch c circuit high input. Drivers typically experience vehicle forced into limp mode, erratic acceleration when this code is active. Stop driving as soon as it is safe to do so. This fault can lead to expensive secondary damage if left unaddressed.
Symptoms
Vehicle forced into limp mode, erratic acceleration
Common Causes
- Short to battery voltage in sensor C circuit
- Broken ground wire
- Defective APP sensor
- PCM fault
How to Fix
- 1 Trace and repair short to power
- 2 Repair ground circuit
- 3 Replace pedal assembly
- 4 Replace PCM
Technical Explanation
Detection of P0228 occurs when the ECM cross-references multiple sensor inputs and determines that the reported values are physically inconsistent or out-of-range. Misfire rate is counted per cylinder over rolling windows and compared against two thresholds: a catalyst-damaging rate (triggers flashing MIL) and an emissions-exceeding rate (triggers solid MIL). The PCM logs which cylinder is misfiring based on crankshaft position at the time of each detected event. The MIL illuminates after the fault is confirmed on two consecutive drive cycles, and the freeze frame data captured at first detection is stored in the PCM's memory for diagnostic reference.
Is It Safe to Drive?
With P0228 active, your engine or transmission is not operating within design parameters. Short-term driving may seem fine, but internal damage is accumulating — particularly to short to battery voltage in sensor c circuit.
Mechanic's Pro Tip
Module replacement should always be the last resort for P0228 after exhaustively verifying all power supply circuits, ground connections, and communication bus wiring. Use a wiring diagram to locate all fuses, relays, and ground points for the affected module, and measure voltage drop on each ground with the circuit loaded. A module "failure" is frequently a corroded ground eyelet or a weak battery causing brownout conditions — fix these first and you'll save hundreds of dollars on an unnecessary module replacement.
Pedal assembly: 150 - 350