P0223

Code

MITSUBISHI P — Powertrain

TPS(sub) circuit high

Brand: MITSUBISHI

Type: P — Powertrain

Views: UK: 7 EN: 17 RU: 42

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Page language: EN

Causes

Open or damaged TPS signal wiring (short to battery voltage)
Corroded/loose connector or poor pin contact at TPS
Faulty TPS (internal short or failed potentiometer)
Poor or missing sensor ground
Faulty Engine Control Module (rare)
Water intrusion or contamination at connector

Symptoms

Check Engine/Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) ON
Reduced engine power or limp-home mode
High or unstable idle, surging or hesitation
Poor throttle response or sudden throttle closing
Possible reduced fuel economy

What to check

Retrieve freeze frame and live data with an OBD-II scanner; note TPS sub voltage at key ON and idle
Visual inspection of TPS connector, pins and wiring for corrosion, damage, or water
Backprobe TPS connector and measure reference (5 V), signal, and ground voltages with key ON (engine OFF)
Wiggle test harness while watching live data for intermittent faults
Check continuity between TPS ground and chassis ground; check for shorts between signal wire and battery +
Disconnect TPS and observe ECM live data/voltage change; clear codes and see if code returns

Signal parameters

Reference voltage (VREF) at TPS: ~5.0 V (with key ON, engine OFF)
Signal voltage (closed throttle): typically ~0.2–1.0 V (varies by design)
Signal voltage (wide open throttle): typically ~4.0–4.8 V
Signal should change smoothly with throttle movement (no abrupt jumps or spikes)
Voltage must not exceed VREF or battery voltage; values above ~5.0 V indicate a high/short condition

Diagnostic algorithm

Safety: Park vehicle, set parking brake, key OFF. Use appropriate PPE.
Read codes, freeze frame and live data. Record TPS sub voltage at KOEO and at idle.
Visually inspect TPS, connector and wiring for damage, corrosion, water entry or pin push-out.
With key ON (engine OFF) backprobe connector: verify VREF ≈ 5 V, signal voltage reading, and good ground. If VREF is missing, trace power/ECM supply.
If signal voltage is high (>5 V) or equal to battery voltage, inspect for wiring short to battery/ignition 12 V. Disconnect harness sections or unplug connectors to isolate the short.
Slowly operate throttle while watching signal voltage: it must change smoothly from low to high. If it does not, suspect TPS.
Measure resistance or compare sensor output to manufacturer spec. If wiring and grounds are good and sensor output is out of range or stuck high, replace TPS.
If replacement TPS does not correct the fault, perform continuity checks between TPS signal pin and ECM pin to rule out harness short. If harness and sensor OK, suspect ECM input driver fault and consult OEM guidance.
After repairs, clear codes and test drive to confirm the code does not return and that throttle response/idle are normal.

Likely causes

Shorted signal wire to ignition-switched 12 V or to 5 V reference
TPS internal failure causing output stuck high
Connector corrosion causing intermittent high reading
Damaged harness where insulation worn through and touching a power source
ECM input driver fault (only after wiring and sensor checks)

Fault status

⚠️ Status

TPS (sub) circuit high — ECM detected signal voltage on the TPS sub circuit above the expected range (possible short to voltage or sensor/harness fault).

🟡 Repair difficulty: Medium

⏱️ Diagnostic time: 0.5-2.0 hours

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P0223 — TPS(sub) circuit high