Does not start, codes P0123, P0223, P1779 and P1791?

Tiny
DNUNEZ518
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 SATURN L300
  • 3.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 95,000 MILES
My car listed above still does not start and when I scanned it, I got codes P0123, p0223, p1779, p1791. What can it be?
Monday, March 13th, 2023 AT 4:24 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
AL514
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,125 POSTS
Hello, These first two codes are most likely causing the last two. Both P0123 and P0223 are for the throttle position sensors on the throttle body. There is a sensor on your gas pedal that relays information to the engine computer and it in turn moves the throttle plates electronically. And the sensor on the throttle body sounds like it might be either shorted out or have a bad Ground connection. I would first unplug the connector on the throttle body and inspect it for any corrosion or damage and Ill post diagrams. If the sensor is shorting out or there is no signal at all, the engine computer does not know where the throttle plates position is. The P1791 is Throttle Position signal. You can also do some basic testing if you own a multimeter or scan tool with live data. But if the throttle body has failed it will need to be replaced and a new throttle/ idle relearn procedure will need to be done. Since there are 2 throttle position sensors in the throttle body and both are setting circuit High input codes, that usually points to a bad ground for the sensor. But check the connector first for any corrosion or water in the main connector, below is a picture of the throttle body.

When the throttle plates open, there are two signals, one goes from low voltage to high, so around 0.10volts to around 4.5-5volts and the other signal does the opposite. It goes from about 5volts to a lower voltage. And right now the engine computer is seeing a high voltage signal from both sensors, hence its setting codes for both sensors. If there is a faulty Ground connection at the throttle body, both signals will read High voltage because there is no way for either one to be pulled to Ground. I know its sounds a bit confusing, but these are pull up and pull down designed circuits.
Do you have a basic multimeter? Or a scan tool?
The 2nd diagram below shows the connector on the Throttle Body, with it unplugged and the Key On, engine off, across these 2 pins it should read 5.0 volts. Just touch the pins lightly, dont push the meter leads into the connector pins because it will spread the pins and they will not make contact anymore.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-throttle-body-works
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Tuesday, March 14th, 2023 AT 10:42 AM

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