Code
P0220
MITSUBISHI
P — Powertrain
APS(main)
Views:
UK: 29
EN: 45
RU: 41
AI status
Completed
Completed
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Causes
- Faulty accelerator pedal position sensor (main)
- Damaged or shorted wiring harness between APS and ECM
- Loose, corroded or disconnected connector/pins at sensor or ECU
- Poor ground or reference voltage (5V) feed
- Intermittent connector contact (water/intrusion)
- ECM internal fault (rare)
Symptoms
- Check Engine Lamp (MIL) illuminated
- Reduced engine power / limp mode
- Poor throttle response, hesitation or surging
- Unresponsive or inconsistent accelerator pedal behavior
- Possible hard starting or stalling in extreme cases
What to check
- Retrieve stored/active codes and freeze frame data with a scan tool
- Visual inspection of pedal sensor, wiring harness and connectors for damage, corrosion, pin push‑out or water ingress
- Inspect for TSBs/recalls related to APS wiring or pedal assembly
- Compare APS main and secondary sensor voltages (if vehicle has dual sensors)
- Perform wiggle test of wiring while monitoring live data to reproduce fault
- Check battery/charging system voltage; low battery can affect sensor reference
Signal parameters
- Sensor reference (Vref): ~5.0 V (check spec)
- APS main output (typical): ~0.5–4.5 V across pedal travel (varies by model)
- At rest (closed pedal) expected low voltage (typically
- At full pedal travel expected high voltage (typically >3.5 V)
- APS main and secondary sensor outputs should correlate and change smoothly
Diagnostic algorithm
- Read and record all DTCs and freeze frame data. Note whether code is current or historic and whether other throttle/pedal codes are present.
- Visually inspect the accelerator pedal assembly, APS connector and wiring for damage, corrosion, pin damage or water intrusion. Repair obvious issues.
- With ignition ON (engine off), backprobe the sensor connector: verify Vref ~5 V between Vref pin and ground, and good ground continuity. If Vref missing, trace to ECU/fuse.
- Measure APS main output voltage at rest and while slowly depressing the pedal; verify smooth change and voltage within the vehicle's spec range. Compare to secondary sensor if present.
- If voltage is erratic or intermittent, perform a wiggle test on the harness from pedal to ECU while monitoring live data to locate intermittent breaks.
- Check for shorts: measure continuity from signal wire to ground and to 5V with ignition off to detect short circuits.
- If wiring and connectors test OK but signal remains out of range, replace the APS (main) sensor and retest.
- Clear codes and perform road test to confirm repair. If fault returns and wiring/sensor good, consider ECU diagnosis by a specialist.
Likely causes
- APS (main) sensor internal failure
- Open or short to ground/5V in sensor signal or reference circuit
- Connector pin corrosion or bent pins at sensor/ECM
- Chafed wiring where it flexes at the pedal or firewall
- Contamination (moisture/road salt) in connector
Fault status
Status
P0220 — Accelerator Pedal Position (APS) main circuit malfunction detected: signal missing, out of range or intermittent between APS (main) and engine control module.
Repair difficulty: Medium
Diagnostic time: 1.0-2.0 hours
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