Low or unstable supply voltage to the engine control module caused by a weak battery or poor charging; Poor power or earth connections to the engine control module, including corroded or loose terminals; Outdated or faulty software calibration in the engine control module, where the manufacturer has issued an update; Wiring or connector damage in the throttle actuator or pedal sensor circuits causing a plausibility mismatch; Faulty throttle body or accelerator pedal sensor giving signals the module cannot reconcile; Internal failure of the engine control module; Water ingress or heat damage affecting the module or its connectors.

P061F

Internal Control Module Throttle Actuator Controller Performance.

Generic
Powertrain
Generic code
High severity

How this code is built

P: SystemPowertrain
0: Defined bySAE, the same on every car
6: AreaComputer and output circuits
1F: FaultThe specific fault in that area

What it means

P061F is the generic SAE J2012 code for an internal performance fault in the throttle actuator controller part of the engine control module. The module's self-monitoring found that the throttle control processing or its cross-checks were not behaving as expected, so it set the code. It is usually a fault inside the module or its power and ground supply rather than the throttle body itself, though that depends on the vehicle.

Symptoms

Engine warning light on, often with a throttle or power reduced warning
Reduced engine power or limp-home mode with limited throttle response
Poor or delayed throttle response when pulling away
Unstable, high or low idle, or stalling
Cruise control or stability systems unavailable

Possible causes

Low or unstable supply voltage to the engine control module caused by a weak battery or poor charginglikely
Poor power or earth connections to the engine control module, including corroded or loose terminalslikely
Outdated or faulty software calibration in the engine control module, where the manufacturer has issued an updatepossible
Wiring or connector damage in the throttle actuator or pedal sensor circuits causing a plausibility mismatchpossible
Faulty throttle body or accelerator pedal sensor giving signals the module cannot reconcilepossible
Internal failure of the engine control modulerare
Water ingress or heat damage affecting the module or its connectorsrare

How to diagnose

Read all stored and pending codes and freeze frame data, noting voltage, load and throttle position when the fault set
Check the battery condition and charging voltage, and look for any low voltage codes in other modules
Inspect the engine control module connectors, power feeds and earths for corrosion, looseness, water or heat damage
Inspect the wiring and connectors to the throttle body and accelerator pedal for chafing, pin damage and contamination
Using live data, compare accelerator pedal position signals with throttle position and commanded values for agreement and smooth movement
Check the manufacturer's service information for software updates, technical bulletins and model-specific test procedures
Clear the code and road test to see if it returns, watching live data for dropouts
If everything else checks out, confirm module power, earth and communication before condemning the module

How to fix

Repair or replace a weak battery and correct any charging system fault
Clean, tighten or repair the module power and earth connections
Repair damaged wiring or connectors in the throttle and pedal circuits
Replace a faulty throttle body or accelerator pedal assembly and complete any required relearn or adaptation
Apply a manufacturer software update if an outdated calibration is a known cause for the vehicle
Replace or repair the engine control module only after supply and wiring faults are ruled out, and program it to the vehicle as required

Can I keep driving?

High severity

Avoid driving the car if it is in limp-home or has erratic throttle response, as sudden loss of power can be unsafe. If it drives normally, keep journeys to a minimum and have it checked as soon as possible.

Guide written by AI from the code's definition. Confirm with a diagnosis before replacing parts.