Worn or contaminated accelerator pedal position sensor 1 inside the pedal assembly; Corroded or damaged electrical connector at the accelerator pedal assembly; Chafed, shorted, or open wiring in the sensor 1 signal or ground circuit; Failed or sticking accelerator pedal assembly pivot mechanism; Poor ground connection for the pedal sensor circuit at the chassis or PCM; Internal fault in the powertrain control module affecting sensor reference voltage

DTC codes / Chrysler codes / P1273

P1273 · ChryslerAccelerator Pedal Position Sensor 1

Q: What does code P1273 mean?

Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor 1. P1273 on Chrysler vehicles indicates that the powertrain control module has detected an implausible or out-of-range signal from accelerator pedal position sensor 1, which is the primary input for drive-by-wire throttle control. The computer compares this signal against sensor 2 and the expected voltage range, and when the correlation or voltage falls outside the programmed limits, it stores this code and typically limits engine power.

P1273 on Chrysler vehicles indicates that the powertrain control module has detected an implausible or out-of-range signal from accelerator pedal position sensor 1, which is the primary input for drive-by-wire throttle control. The computer compares this signal against sensor 2 and the expected voltage range, and when the correlation or voltage falls outside the programmed limits, it stores this code and typically limits engine power.

SystemPowertrain

Code typeChrysler specific

SeverityMedium

Fix difficultyIntermediate

AreaFuel and air metering (injector circuits)

Symptoms you may notice

Illumination of the electronic throttle control warning light or check engine light
Reduced engine power or limp-home mode with a noticeable lack of acceleration
Hesitation or stumble when pressing the accelerator pedal from a stop
Inconsistent or surging engine speed despite steady pedal pressure
Often no symptoms besides the warning light, especially if the fault is intermittent

Common causes, most likely first

Worn or contaminated accelerator pedal position sensor 1 inside the pedal assembly
Corroded or damaged electrical connector at the accelerator pedal assembly
Chafed, shorted, or open wiring in the sensor 1 signal or ground circuit
Failed or sticking accelerator pedal assembly pivot mechanism
Poor ground connection for the pedal sensor circuit at the chassis or PCM
Internal fault in the powertrain control module affecting sensor reference voltage

How to diagnose and fix it

Connect a scan tool and record all accelerator pedal position sensor voltages and the freeze-frame data to confirm the fault conditions
Visually inspect the pedal assembly connector and wiring for corrosion, chafing, or loose pins, and repair as needed
Backprobe the sensor 1 signal, reference voltage, and ground wires at the pedal connector to verify correct voltages with the key on
Perform a wiggle test on the harness while monitoring sensor 1 voltage on the scan tool to expose intermittent wiring faults
Remove the accelerator pedal assembly and check the sensor 1 resistance sweep with a multimeter for dead spots or erratic readings
Replace the accelerator pedal assembly if the sensor is faulty, then clear the code and perform a throttle relearn procedure if required
If all external circuits and the pedal assembly test good, diagnose the PCM reference voltage and ground circuits before condemning the module

Why P1273 is often a wiring fault

A large share of P1273 cases on Chrysler vehicles are caused by corroded pins or chafed wires at the pedal connector rather than a failed pedal assembly, so always inspect the harness before replacing parts.
The code can set intermittently from a momentary voltage glitch, and the pedal may feel perfectly normal during a road test, which leads many technicians to wrongly replace the pedal assembly.
Sensor 1 and sensor 2 signals are electrically independent and move in opposite directions, so a scan tool comparison of both voltages is the fastest way to isolate which circuit is at fault.
A weak or shared ground for the pedal sensor circuit can pull sensor 1 voltage out of range and set P1273 even though the sensor itself is healthy.
After any repair, the PCM may need a throttle relearn or adaptive memory reset before normal pedal response returns, and skipping this step can make a correct repair appear unsuccessful.

Can I keep driving with P1273?

The vehicle is usually safe to drive in limp-home mode, but acceleration will be limited and merging or highway driving can be hazardous. Avoid heavy traffic and high-speed roads until the fault is repaired, and do not continue driving if the pedal response becomes erratic.

Tools that help

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Guidance is general and written for Chrysler vehicles. Exact tests and values vary by model, so confirm the fault before replacing parts.