Throttle motor current outside spec.
P2118 — also written P2118, P 2118, 2118 — is the OBD-II code for throttle actuator control motor current range. Same code, same fix: this page covers every spelling of it.
This code means the car's brain thinks the throttle motor is drawing too much juice or not enough. It's a classic plague on older Toyotas and high-mileage VAG engines where the throttle butterfly gets gummed up or the wires rot.
P2118 is a fuel & air fault code, typically costing £60–£700 to put right in a UK garage.
What P2118 actually feels like to drive
- The car goes into 'Limp Home' mode and won't rev past 2,500 RPM.
- The 'Check Engine' light is on, usually accompanied by a 'VSC' or 'Traction Control' warning.
- The engine starts but won't respond to the pedal at all—it just sits at a high idle.
- A loud clicking or humming sound coming from under the bonnet when you turn the ignition on.
- Surging or 'hunting' idle where the revs bounce up and down at traffic lights.
What causes P2118?
- Sticking throttle plate
- Failed motor
UK vehicles that throw P2118 most often
- Toyota Auris/Corolla 1.6 VVT-i (2007-2013)
- Volkswagen Golf Mk5/Mk6 1.4 TSI (CAXA engine)
- Audi A3 1.8/2.0 TFSI (2008-2015)
- Toyota Avensis 2.0 D-4D (AD engine series)
- Skoda Octavia 1.6 MPI (BSE engine)
- Vauxhall Corsa D 1.2/1.4 (A12/A14XER)
How P2118 is fixed
- Clean or replace throttle body
The P2118 misdiagnosis that wastes money
The amount of times I see people chucking brand new £400 throttle bodies at this code is frightening. More often than not, it’s a blown 'ETCS' fuse or a corroded wiring loom where it rubs against the gearbox casing—very common on the older Corollas and Auris models. I've also seen folks blame the accelerator pedal, wasting money on a new 'pot' when the real issue was just a build-up of oily carbon gunk physically jamming the butterfly valve, causing the motor to draw too many amps trying to force it open.
What a UK garage should charge for P2118
If it's just a dirty throttle body, you're looking at about £60 to £90 for a professional clean and a reset. If the unit is shot, a Bosch or Pierburg replacement will set you back £180 to £350 for the part, plus an hour's labour at £70-£120. If you go to a main dealer, expect a bill north of £700 once they’ve added their 'diagnostic fee' and a 100% markup on the OEM part. Always check the fuses first—that's a 50p fix!
P2118 repair cost in the UK
Most P2118 repairs land between £60–£700 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 P2118
Before you let a garage sell you a new throttle body, ask them to do a 'voltage drop test' on the power and ground circuits to the actuator. If the wiring is sound, ask them to physically clean the throttle plate with a bit of solvent and a rag first. If it's a Toyota or a VAG car, they’ll need to run a 'Throttle Position Relearn' on their diagnostic kit afterwards. If they don't know what that is, take your keys back and find a tech who actually knows how to use a scan tool. Don't let them just clear the code and send you off; it'll just pop back into limp mode the minute you try to overtake.
Can you drive with P2118?
Limp mode.
Urgency: medium.