Second TPS too high.
P0223 — also written PO223, P 0223, 0223 — is the OBD-II code for throttle position sensor 'b' high. Same code, same fix: this page covers every spelling of it.
This code means the ECU is seeing a voltage signal from the second throttle track that's way too high, usually throwing the car into limp mode to stop it from accelerating uncontrollably. It's a classic headache on Vauxhalls and VWs with fly-by-wire setups.
P0223 is a sensors fault code, typically costing £80–£500 to put right in a UK garage.
What P0223 actually feels like to drive
- The car starts fine but won't rev past 1,500 RPM, effectively 'limp mode'.
- The 'Engine Management' or 'Spanner' light is glowing on the dash.
- Erratic idling where the revs bounce up and down like a yoyo.
- The accelerator pedal feels 'dead' or unresponsive at certain points.
- Sudden jerking or 'hunting' while cruising at motorway speeds.
What causes P0223?
- Sensor failure
- Wiring short
UK vehicles that throw P0223 most often
- Vauxhall Corsa D/E 1.2 & 1.4 (A12XER/A14XER) 2009-2018
- Vauxhall Astra J 1.4 Turbo 2010-2015
- Volkswagen Golf MK6 1.4 TSI (CAXA) 2008-2013
- Ford Fiesta 1.25 Zetec 2008-2017
- Renault Clio MK3/MK4 1.2 16v 2006-2018
- Audi A3 2.0 TDI (CRBC) 2012-2016
How P0223 is fixed
- Throttle body service
The P0223 misdiagnosis that wastes money
I see folks firing new throttle bodies at this every single week, but half the time they're wasting their brass. People assume 'High Input' means the sensor is cooked, but more often than not, it's a 'green crusty' (corrosion) inside the connector plug or a wire that's rubbed through against the airbox. I’ve had many a Corsa where the wiring loom has chafed right near the plug, causing the 5V reference to short directly to the signal wire, sending the reading through the roof. Fix the wire for £2, don't buy a Bosch unit for £250.
What a UK garage should charge for P0223
For a proper diagnosis using a Snap-On or Autel tool, expect to pay £50 to £90. If it is the throttle body, a quality Bosch or Pierburg part will run you £160 to £300, plus an hour's labour (£60-£100). If you go to a main dealer, you're looking at over £500 easy. If it's just a wiring repair, I'd usually charge about £120 total. Don't buy the £40 eBay specials; they're nothing but grief and rarely last until the next MOT.
P0223 repair cost in the UK
Most P0223 repairs land between £80–£500 including parts and labour. The spread is wide because the cheap fix (a sensor, a hose, a leak) and the expensive fix (a major component) throw the same code — which is why a proper diagnosis before parts are bought saves the most money.
Bob's tip on P0223
If a garage tells you that you need a new throttle body, ask them straight: "Have you checked the continuity and for a short to voltage on the TPS harness?" If they look at you blankly, take your car elsewhere. To avoid being ripped off, ask for a 'live data' printout showing the TPS 'A' and 'B' tracks. They should mirror each other; if one is pinned at 5V regardless of the pedal position, it's likely a wiring fault. Also, insist they check the earthing points on the inner wing—Renaults are notorious for bad earths throwing this code.
Can you drive with P0223?
Drivable.
Urgency: medium.