Code Severity and Symptoms
The severity of this code can be moderate to severe depending on the specific malfunction. Symptoms of a P2111 trouble code may include:
- Engine does not start
- Poor performance that progresses
- Little or no response from the accelerator
- Engine light illuminated
- Smoke from the exhaust pipe
- Increased fuel consumption
Common Causes of a P2111 Code
Possible causes of this code may include:
- Faulty throttle body
- Dirty throttle plate or linkage
- Defective throttle position sensor
- Faulty accelerator pedal position sensor
- Throttle actuator control motor is defective
- Corroded or damaged connector
- Faulty or damaged wiring
- Defective PCM
Common Repairs
- Replacement of the throttle body
- Cleaning of the throttle plate and linkage
- Replacement of the throttle position sensor
- Replacement of the throttle actuator control motor
- Replacement of the accelerator pedal position sensor
- Cleaning corrosion from connectors
- Repairing or replacing wiring
- Flashing or replacing PCM
Diagnostic and Repair Procedures
Check TSBs
The first step in troubleshooting any malfunction is to search for Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for the specific vehicle by year, model, and powertrain. In some circumstances, this can save you a lot of time in the long run by pointing you in the right direction.
2010-2011 Ford & Lincoln P2111 / P2112 TSB Bulletin 10-21-6
A known bulletin, for example, is Ford TSB 10-21-6 which applies to certain 2010-2011 Ford Fusion, Ford Taurus, Focus, E-150, E-250, Ford Edge, Ford F150, Lincoln, and Ford Flex vehicles with certain engines. If you have a P2111 and/or P2112 code with this vehicle, here is a PDF copy of the full TSB 10-21-6 bulletin. The fix involves replacing the throttle body with part number 7T4Z-9E926-FA or 8S4Z-9E926-B.
Some 2010 Edge, MKX, F-150, E-Series, 2010-2011 Flex, MKT, Focus, Taurus, MKS, Fusion, and MKZ vehicles with one of the following engines: 2.0L, 3.5L (except GTDI), 3.7L, and 4.6L 2V, may exhibit diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P2111, P2112, or the idle speed drops lower than desired and/or fluctuates. The idle issue may be intermittent, and the P2111, P2112 fault codes may or may not be present.
The second step is to locate all components associated with the throttle actuator control system. This will include the throttle body, throttle position sensor, throttle actuator control motor, PCM, and accelerator pedal position sensor on a simplex system. Once these components are located, a thorough visual inspection should be performed to check that all related cables show no obvious defects such as scraping, rubbing, exposed wires, burning, or melted plastic. Then, check the connectors of each component for security, corrosion, and damaged pins.
The final visual and physical inspection is the throttle plate. With the ignition off, you should be able to rotate the throttle plate by pressing on it. It should rotate to the wide-open position. If there is sludge behind the plate, it should be cleaned while accessible.
Advanced Steps
Advanced steps become very vehicle-specific and require appropriate advanced equipment to operate accurately. These procedures require a digital multimeter and the technical references specific to the vehicle. Voltage requirements will be highly based on the specific year, model, and engine of the vehicle.
Circuit Checks
With the ignition switch in the off position, disconnect the electrical connector from the throttle body. Locate the 2 pins that go to the motor(s) on the throttle body. Using a digital ohmmeter set to ohms, check the resistance of the motor(s). The motor should read approximately between 2 and 25 ohms depending on the specific vehicle (consult manufacturer specifications for your vehicle). If the resistance is too high or too low, the throttle body will need to be replaced. If all tests have passed up to this point, you will want to check the motor voltage signals.
If this process identifies the absence of a power source or ground, continuity tests may be required to check the integrity of the wiring. Continuity tests should always be performed with power disconnected from the circuit, and normal readings should be 0 ohms of resistance unless otherwise indicated in the technical data. Resistance or lack of continuity is an indication of faulty wiring that needs to be repaired or replaced.
I hope the information in this article has helped guide you in the right direction to correct the issue with your throttle actuator control system. This article is strictly informational, and the technical data and service bulletins specific to your vehicle should always take priority.