Throttle Position Sensor - code P0221

Tiny
JAMIESUE972
  • MEMBER
  • 2009 AUDI A3
  • 81,000 MILES
I recently purchased a 2009 A3. I absolutely love it (having switched from an expedition I passed to my 16 year old for his birthday - BIG change). It has always had very slight jerkiness from take off and stopping but it seems just like an older BMW I had (kind of go-cartish) so I didn't think anything of it. Three weeks in the EPC light came on and I had sluggish power in the first few gears. I could push over to manual and quickly get to 4th gear and be okay, made it home. Poked around on here and saw a "let it sit" theory, which I did. Took it out a few hours later and EPC light came back on, as well as the engine light. I took it back to the dealer the next day and they said it was the throttle sensor, ordered the part and fixed it for free. Now, three more weeks later, the EPC light came on early in the week, same issue, loss of power. Turned car of and let it sit. Through the week it has been fine but yesterday on my way home, same thing, including engine light. Pulled into Autozone to have code read and got "P0221 Throttle Position Sensor". Engine light but no EPC light was on this morning and then went off after leaving daughter's school and car is driving fine. What the heck is going on? I drive all over creation for kid's sports tournaments and am super nervous now about getting stranded 400 miles away from home. Any suggestions?
Friday, May 11th, 2012 AT 9:00 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,690 POSTS
On this car the engine must be running as intended or it will light all kinds of weird codes, in other wards if the engine is misfiring it could light the throttle position sensor code. I would start by doing a good tune up which if you follow this guide will get you started.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-tune-up-a-car-engine

Then clear all codes and try it again.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/check-engine-light-clear-codes

If the codes comes back on do the TPS sensor, here is a diagram to help you get the job done.

Please let us know what happens so it will help others.

Cheers, Ken
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Wednesday, August 23rd, 2017 AT 1:10 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,758 POSTS
Hi Mike,

I need to ask a favor. We try to keep the repairs and vehicle types specific on a post/thread, so it is helpful to others. Since your vehicle is a different model year, could you start a new thread?

Here is a link to take you to that page:

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/new

I hope you understand.

Thanks,

Joe
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Sunday, May 28th, 2023 AT 7:45 PM
Tiny
MROCHA1
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Appreciate it, Joe. I’ll start a new thread.
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Sunday, May 28th, 2023 AT 7:50 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,690 POSTS
JACOBANDNICKOLAS is one of our best! Use 2CarPros anytime, we are here to help. Please tell a friend.
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Tuesday, May 30th, 2023 AT 9:21 AM

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