Back to 2008 Mazda Tribute

2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE

2.5L I4FWDAUTOMATICgas
5 active safety recalls on this vehicle — view recalls
Repairs0Labor473Torque2473Fluid6DTC861Battery0Maintenance0Recalls5
P1120high severityPowertrain

Throttle Position Sensor Out of Range Low

on 2008 Mazda Tribute 2.5L I4 · FWD

What this code means

The Throttle Position sensor signal is below the minimum expected voltage. The PCM sees a voltage lower than the normal idle-position threshold, which can trigger limp mode on electronic throttle systems.

Symptoms

  • Check Engine Light
  • Poor acceleration
  • Idle surge
  • Engine stalling
  • Limp mode

Common causes

  • Faulty TP sensor
  • Wiring short to ground
  • Loose TP sensor connector
  • TP sensor misadjusted on cable-actuated throttle
  • Corroded connector pins

Diagnostic steps

  1. Check TP sensor voltage at idle (should be approximately 0.5-1.0V)
  2. Inspect wiring for shorts to ground
  3. Check connector for corrosion or looseness
  4. Test TP sensor through full range with multimeter
  5. Verify 5V reference voltage

Repair notes

Replace the TP sensor if faulty; repair wiring if shorted to ground.

Other Powertrain codes on this vehicle

Building an app?
Free API access to all this data — 50 requests/day, no card required.
Get an API key →
Run a shop?
Manage repairs, estimates, and customers with ShopBase — $249/mo, all features included.
Try ShopBase →