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1996 MAZDA 626
2.0L I4•FWD•AUTOMATIC•gas
3 active safety recalls on this vehicle — view recalls
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Repairs0Labor500Torque4295Fluid7DTC846Battery1Maintenance0Recalls3
P1120high severityPowertrain

Throttle Position Sensor Out of Range Low

on 1996 Mazda 626 2.0L 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.

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