P0123 on Ford
Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch 'A' Circuit High Input
P0123 on Ford vehicles indicates throttle/pedal position sensor/switch 'a' circuit high input. Au7o has documented this code across 2 Ford models — most commonly on Edge, Ranger. This generic code means the PCM detected a higher-than-expected voltage from the throttle position sensor (or accelerator pedal position sensor) 'A' circuit. The computer uses this signal to know throttle/pedal opening for fuel, timing, and electronic throttle control, so an abnormally high reading disrupts those calculations. Symptoms can include erratic idle, hesitation, surging, poor or sudden acceleration, and limp-home mode, making prompt diagnosis important. Typical repair costs on Ford range from $100 to $700, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Common Causes of P0123
- •Faulty throttle position sensor
- •Short to voltage in the TPS signal circuit
- •Open sensor ground causing high reading
- •Damaged or corroded TPS connector
- •Worn throttle body / TPS contacts
- •Chafed wiring shorting to a power wire
- •Faulty PCM (rare)
P0123 on Ford by Model
Ford Edge(1 issue)
- Electronic Throttle Body Contact Degradation - Sudden Limp Mode and Wrench Light2007-2014
The CD3 Edge uses a Ford electronic throttle body (ETB) with an integrated throttle position sensor. Non-conductive deposits build up on the internal sensor contacts, so the PCM sees an implausible or drifting throttle plate position and drops the vehicle into failsafe/limp mode - the amber wrench warning lights up and engine output is cut to idle-ish power, often at highway speed with no warning. Owners describe it as the truck 'just quitting on me' merging or passing, sometimes clearing after a key cycle and then recurring more frequently. Cleaning the throttle bore does not fix it because the fault is on the electronic contacts inside the sealed unit, not carbon on the plate. Ford acknowledged the family-wide ETB problem with extended coverage programs on several models, and the failure is heavily represented in NHTSA complaints for the Edge.
Ford Ranger(1 issue)
- Throttle Position Sensor and Idle Air Control Related Stalling/Hanging Idle2000-2011
Many owners of 2000-2011 Rangers report intermittent high idle, unstable idle, or stalling when coming to a stop, often traced to a failing throttle position sensor, dirty or failing idle air control valve, or both. The problem is especially common on older cable-throttle trucks where carbon buildup and sensor wear accumulate with age. Symptoms can be inconsistent, which leads to repeated parts swapping before the root cause is isolated.
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View P0123 across all makes →Frequently Asked Questions
What does P0123 mean on Ford?▼
P0123 stands for "Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch 'A' Circuit High Input." This generic code means the PCM detected a higher-than-expected voltage from the throttle position sensor (or accelerator pedal position sensor) 'A' circuit. The computer uses this signal to know throttle/pedal opening for fuel, timing, and electronic throttle control, so an abnormally high reading disrupts those calculations. Symptoms can include erratic idle, hesitation, surging, poor or sudden acceleration, and limp-home mode, making prompt diagnosis important. On Ford specifically, this code is documented across 2 models.
What causes P0123 on Ford vehicles?▼
Common causes on Ford: Faulty throttle position sensor, Short to voltage in the TPS signal circuit, Open sensor ground causing high reading, Damaged or corroded TPS connector, Worn throttle body / TPS contacts. Specific causes vary by model and year — see the per-model sections below.
How much does it cost to fix P0123 on a Ford?▼
Repair costs on Ford range from $100 to $700, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Which Ford models have P0123 documented?▼
Au7o has documented P0123 on 2 Ford models: Edge, Ranger.