HomeTrouble CodesP2137

P2137 — Throttlepedal Position Sensorswitch Bc Voltage Correlation

Manufacturer-specificPowertrain (engine & transmission)

The ECM has detected that the voltage signals from the two redundant sensor circuits “B” and “C” inside the Accelerator Pedal Position (APP) sensor (or the electronic throttle body) disagree beyond the calibrated tolerance. Because the sensors are designed to mirror each other for safety redundancy, any divergence triggers a correlation fault and usually forces the system into reduced-power “limp” mode to prevent unintended acceleration. The code indicates an electrical discrepancy rather than a mechanical throttle-plate issue.

Symptoms

What causes it — most likely first

1. Internal failure of the accelerator pedal position sensor

Wear, contamination, or resistive-track degradation inside the pedal sensor causes circuits B and C to output voltages that no longer rise and fall proportionally, breaking the expected 2:1 or mirrored voltage relationship.

2. Wiring harness damage or short between circuits

Chafed, pinched, or moisture-intruded wires create high-resistance paths, opens, or cross-talk between the 5-volt reference, signal, and ground lines for the B and C sensors.

3. Connector corrosion or terminal fretting

Green/white corrosion, spread pins, or poor retention in the sensor or PCM connectors introduces voltage drop or intermittent opens that skew the signal correlation.

4. Pedal mechanism binding or interference

Physical obstruction, dirt, or broken return springs prevent smooth pedal travel, causing the two internal sensors to transition at different rates and generate divergent voltage curves.

5. PCM/ECM internal fault

Rare failure of the analog-to-digital converter or reference-voltage driver inside the control module misreads valid sensor inputs; should only be considered after the sensor and wiring are proven fault-free.

How it's diagnosed

  1. Visually inspect the APP sensor connector and wiring harness for corrosion, bent pins, chafing near the firewall, or moisture intrusion.
  2. With a scan tool displaying live data, slowly depress the pedal from idle to wide-open and confirm that sensor B and C voltages track together smoothly without dropouts, spikes, or crossover outside the specified tolerance (often a 2:1 ratio).
  3. Back-probe the sensor with a digital multimeter to verify a stable 5-volt reference and solid ground, then compare the B and C signal voltages at key positions against factory specifications.
  4. Perform a wiggle test on the harness and connectors while monitoring data to expose intermittent opens or shorts caused by vibration or thermal movement.
  5. Substitute a known-good APP sensor or test the original sensor on the bench to confirm the internal resistive elements correlate correctly across the full sweep.
  6. Only after confirming integrity of the sensor and entire wiring path, consider PCM replacement or software reflash if the correlation error persists.

Code facts & related codes

SystemPowertrain (engine & transmission)
StandardizationManufacturer-specific (P1/B1/C1/U1)

Frequently asked

Is it safe to drive with code P2137?

The vehicle will typically enter reduced power mode, making acceleration sluggish and limiting top speed; short trips to a repair facility are manageable, but highway driving or heavy traffic should be avoided until repaired.

Do I need to replace the throttle body to fix this code?

No; P2137 refers to the correlation between sensor circuits B and C, which is almost always located in the accelerator pedal assembly or its wiring, not the throttle body actuator.

Should I replace the engine computer (PCM) for this code?

Almost never; the PCM is rarely the root cause. Most P2137 faults are resolved by replacing the pedal sensor or repairing wiring. Only consider the PCM after the sensor, connectors, and harness have been electrically tested and ruled out.

Can cleaning the sensor fix the correlation error?

Cleaning the connector contacts may help if corrosion is present, but internal sensor drift or worn resistive tracks cannot be repaired with cleaner; replacement of the pedal sensor is usually required when the internal circuits fail to correlate.