P1161

Code

DS P — Powertrain

Motorised throttle position coherence

Brand: DS

Type: P — Powertrain

Views: UK: 4 EN: 2 RU: 5

AI status

Completed

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Page language: EN

Causes

Faulty motorised throttle body (throttle valve, motor or internal position sensor)
Faulty accelerator pedal position sensor(s) or sensor correlation fault
Wiring or connector damage/corrosion in throttle/pedal circuits or power/ground
Contaminated or mechanically binding throttle plate/shaft
Low battery/charging system voltage or intermittent supply to throttle actuator
ECU software or calibration error (after replacement or update)

Symptoms

MIL/Check Engine Lamp illuminated
Reduced engine power / limp-home mode
Delayed, erratic or unresponsive accelerator response
Poor idle, stalling or surging
Stored related freeze-frame data and additional throttle/pedal codes

What to check

Read DTCs with a capable scan tool; record freeze frame and related codes
Check battery voltage and charging (low voltage can cause actuator errors)
Visually inspect wiring and connectors for the throttle body, accelerator pedal module and grounds for damage, corrosion or loose pins
Using scan tool, monitor live data: accelerator pedal 1 & 2, commanded throttle angle, actual throttle (measured) angle, motor current/duty or actuator status
Compare accelerator pedal sensor 1 vs sensor 2 for correlation and opposing slope where applicable
Command throttle actuator via scan tool (actuator self-test) and observe movement and measured angle response

Signal parameters

Accelerator pedal sensors: typically low voltage at rest and higher at full travel (approx. 0.5–1.5 V at rest to ~3.5–4.5 V at full travel) — both sensors should correlate (one may have inverse slope)
Throttle position (measured) angle: idle approx. 0–10°; wide open approx. 70–90° depending on application — measured should follow commanded angle within a few degrees
Commanded throttle angle: should change immediately when commanding actuator test or when pressing pedal
Motor current/duty (where available): short transient currents during movement; continuous high current or no current indicates motor or drive problem
Battery voltage: nominal 12.0–14.5 V during tests; dips below ~11.5 V can cause faults

Diagnostic algorithm

Retrieve all fault codes and freeze-frame data. Note other throttle/pedal or communication faults. Clear codes to see if fault returns.
Verify battery and charging system. Ensure stable supply voltage before testing (12–14.5 V).
Perform visual inspection of throttle body and accelerator pedal harnesses and connectors; repair any damage or corrosion.
With scan tool, observe live data: compare accelerator pedal sensor 1 & 2 values and verify correlation. If sensors disagree or are out of range, suspect pedal sensor or wiring.
Monitor commanded vs measured throttle angle while slowly operating the accelerator pedal. If measured angle does not track commanded, continue.
Run throttle actuator functional test from the scan tool. Observe movement, measured angle response and motor current. If actuator fails to move or movement is inconsistent, suspect throttle unit or drive circuit.
Inspect throttle plate for carbon build-up and mechanical binding. Clean the throttle body if contamination is present and re-test.
If wiring and connectors are good but signals are wrong, perform resistance/continuity checks and wiggle testing on harness. Use a scope to confirm signal shapes if intermittent or subtle.
If tests point to a failed throttle body or pedal module, replace the faulty unit per manufacturer procedure. Verify genuine/recommended parts and torque/installation instructions.
After repair or replacement, perform throttle/ECM adaptation/relearn and clear codes. Road test and confirm no recurrence. If fault persists, consider ECU/driver module diagnosis or module replacement per factory guidance.

Likely causes

Accelerator pedal sensor vs throttle position sensor correlation failure
Throttle body internal potentiometer/position sensor fault or motor fault
Wiring/connector fault (open, short, high resistance) between pedal/throttle and ECU
Contaminated or sticking throttle plate causing measured vs commanded mismatch

Fault status

⚠️ Status

Motorised throttle position coherence fault — measured throttle position inconsistent with commanded/reference sensor(s); MIL set and limp mode possible.

🟡 Repair difficulty: Medium

⏱️ Diagnostic time: 1-3 hours

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P1161 — Motorised throttle position coherence