OBD-II DTC · SAE J2012
P0120
Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch A Circuit
What P0120 means
P0120 is a standard SAE J2012 powertrain diagnostic trouble code with the defined meaning: Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch A Circuit. This is the OEM-agnostic definition; specific manufacturer interpretation may add detail (subsystem, bank, sensor location) but the core meaning is consistent across all OBD-II compliant vehicles since 1996.
Common symptoms when P0120 is active
Limp mode, pedal-to-throttle correlation MIL, idle-air control range / performance DTC, throttle body adaptation failures.
Can this code be suppressed via ECU tuning?
Whether this code is safe to suppress depends on the underlying cause. Diagnose first, suppress only after confirming the mechanical issue is benign or rectified.
How to remove P0120 with Softechpro V5
Recommended service: DTC OFF (throttle branch) — diagnose first. Step-by-step workflow:
- Throttle codes often indicate genuine carbon buildup or pedal sensor drift. Clean the body and reset adaptation before tuning.
- If the code persists after cleaning: load .bin into Softechpro V5, pick DTC OFF + throttle DTC group, save patched .bin, flash back.
Softechpro V5 supports 1,400+ ECU firmwares across Bosch (EDC15, EDC16, EDC17, MD1, MG1, ME7, MED17), Siemens / Continental (SID, SIMOS, EMS), Delphi (DCM, DDC), and Magneti Marelli platforms.