AutoCodes – Cadillac – P2120 Cadillac

P2120 Cadillac Code - Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor 1 Circuit

Quick Answer

The Accelerator Pedal Position (APP) sensor is made up of 2 sensors that are housed inside one assembly. Common causes include Faulty Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor, Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor harness is open or shorted, Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor circuit poor electrical connection. Severity is High - diagnose this code as soon as possible. Driving is not recommended if the warning light is flashing, the engine runs poorly, or safety-related symptoms are present.

What it means: P2120 Cadillac indicates Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor 1 Circuit.
Common causes: Common causes include Faulty Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor, Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor harness is open or shorted, Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor circuit poor electrical connection.
Severity: High - diagnose this code as soon as possible.
Can I drive?: Driving is not recommended if the warning light is flashing, the engine runs poorly, or safety-related symptoms are present.

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Code Popularity 1,705

How popular is this code, among other codes? Low

Repair Importance Level

Urgent (Diagnose now) (3 / 3)

Repair Difficulty Level

Intermediate (2 / 3)

What is this?

Table of contents Created and updated by William Orellana on Jun 14, 2020

Description
Possible Causes
How To Fix
Cost to Diagnose
Comments
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Code P2120 Cadillac Description

The Accelerator Pedal Position (APP) sensor is made up of 2 sensors that are housed inside one assembly. The Engine Control Module (ECM) supplies a separate 5-volt reference circuit and a low reference circuit for each of the sensors. The 5-volt reference for APP sensor 1 is supplied from the same source in the ECM as the 5-volt reference for the mass air flow (MAF) sensor and the fuel tank pressure (FTP) sensor. The 5-volt reference voltage for all of the sensors is supplied on separate ECM terminals, but the terminals are connected internally to a voltage supply. The APP sensor 1 sends a signal from the sensor to the ECM indicating the accelerator pedal position. The ECM actuates the throttle plates based on this information. If the ECM detects that the APP sensors are not within a predicted value from each other, DTC P2120 sets.

OBDII Code P2120 Cadillac - Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor 1 Circuit - AutoCodes.com — P2120 Cadillac Code - Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor 1 Circuit

What does this mean?

What are the Possible Causes of the DTC P2120 Cadillac?

Faulty Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor
Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor harness is open or shorted
Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor circuit poor electrical connection
Faulty Electric Throttle Control Actuator

How to Fix the DTC P2120 Cadillac?

Review the 'Possible Causes' above and visually examine the corresponding wiring harness and connectors. Check for damaged components and inspect connector pins for signs of being broken, bent, pushed out, or corroded.

What is the Cost to Diagnose the Code?

Labor: 1.0

To diagnose the P2120 Cadillac code, it typically requires 1.0 hour of labor. Rates vary by location, vehicle, and shop. Many shops charge between $80–$150 per hour; dealerships and metro areas may be higher, independents may be lower.

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About the author: William Orellana is a Master Mechanic and Mechanical Engineer with over 30 years of experience diagnosing and repairing vehicles. Learn more about his background.