How severe is this DTC?
A P2115 should be considered severe as it can result in the vehicle being undrivable.
What are some symptoms of the code?
Symptoms of a P2115 trouble code may include:
- Unresponsive accelerator
- Limited or no acceleration
- Engine stalling at idle
- Hesitation during acceleration
- Inoperative cruise control
What are some common causes of the code?
Causes
of this throttle/pedal position sensor P2115 code may include:
- Faulty TPS or PPS
- Open or shorted circuits between TPS, PPS and PCM
- Corroded electrical connectors
- Faulty DBW actuator motor
What are the P2115 troubleshooting steps?
Check your vehicle information source for Technical Service Bulletins (TSB) that match the make, model and engine size of the vehicle in question. Symptoms and stored codes should also match. If you find a matching TSB, this will greatly assist your diagnosis.
My diagnosis for a P2115 code would typically begin with a visual inspection of all cables and connectors related to the system. I would also check the throttle plate for signs of carbon buildup or damage. Excessive carbon buildup, which keeps the throttle body open at startup, can result in a P2115 code being stored. Clean carbon from the throttle body according to manufacturer recommendations and repair or replace any faulty wiring or components as needed, then retest the DBW system.
You will need a diagnostic scanner, digital volt/ohmmeter (DVOM) and a reliable vehicle information source to accurately diagnose this code.
Next, connect the scanner to the vehicle’s diagnostic port and retrieve all stored trouble codes. Record them in case you need the information later in your diagnosis. Also save any associated freeze frame data. These notes may prove useful, especially if P2115 is intermittent. Now clear the codes and test drive the vehicle to see if the code resets.
If the code immediately resets, voltage spikes and inconsistencies between TPS, PPS and PCM can be detected using scanner data stream. Narrow the data stream to display only relevant data for faster response. If no spikes and/or inconsistencies are detected, use the DVOM to retrieve live data from each sensor signal wire. To retrieve live data with the DVOM, connect the positive test lead to the appropriate signal wire and the ground test lead to the ground circuit, then observe the DVOM display while operating the DBW. Look for voltage spikes when the accelerator is slowly operated from closed position to wide open throttle. Voltage typically ranges from 0.5 volts at throttle closed to 4.5 volts at wide open throttle, but consult your vehicle information source for exact specifications. If spikes or other irregularities are detected, suspect the tested sensor is faulty. An oscilloscope is also an excellent tool for testing sensor operation.
If the sensor operates as expected, disconnect all associated controllers and test individual circuits with the DVOM. System wiring diagrams and connector pinout charts can help determine which circuits to test and where to find them on the vehicle. Repair or replace system circuits as needed.
Only suspect a faulty PCM or PCM programming error if all system sensors and circuits check out.
Some manufacturers require the throttle body, throttle actuator motor and all throttle position sensors to be replaced as a single unit