Fault codeP0510

MODERATE

Closed Throttle Position Switch Malfunction

What this code means

Closed Throttle Position Switch Malfunction.

P0510 is a generic code: it means the same thing on every make. P0510 belongs to family P05xx — Idle speed and vehicle speed control. Its page explains how to read a code and groups all its codes by part.

Throttle and accelerator pedal position sensors

On modern cars there is no cable between the pedal and the engine: sensors in the accelerator pedal tell the control unit how far you press, and an electric motor opens the throttle, whose position is measured by two more sensors. Each position is measured twice for safety, and both signals must agree.

What you notice

The engine often goes into limp mode: idle speed or very limited power, the accelerator barely responding. Sometimes jerks or idle speed surges.

How to check it

Check the connectors on the pedal and on the throttle body. A dirty throttle body can disturb the readings: cleaning it, then a relearn procedure, fixes some cases. Klaro shows the throttle and pedal positions; pressing the pedal slowly, they should rise smoothly without jumps.

Watch it live in Klaro

With an OBD2 adapter plugged in, these live readings show the part at work, when your car reports them:

Throttle position
Relative throttle position
Absolute throttle position B
Accelerator pedal position D
Accelerator pedal position E
Commanded throttle actuator

What to do

Have it checked this week. The car remains usable, but the fault will not clear itself and will fail the roadworthiness test.

Clearing a code switches the light off but repairs nothing: if the fault remains, the code comes back. Clearing a fault code yourself →

How to read this code

PPowertrain
0standardised code
5Idle speed and vehicle speed control
10P0510