Carbon buildup or contamination on the throttle plate and bore, restricting movement.; A failing throttle actuator motor inside the electronic throttle body.; Worn or damaged throttle position sensor(s) within the throttle body assembly.; Corroded, damaged, or loose wiring in the TAC module or throttle body circuits.; A faulty TAC module or powertrain control module (PCM) internal driver.; A binding throttle shaft or mechanical obstruction in the throttle body.; Low battery voltage or poor grounds affecting TAC module operation.

DTC codes / Chrysler codes / P1516

P1516 · ChryslerThrottle Actuator Control (TAC) Module Throttle Actuator Position Performance

P1516 on Chrysler vehicles indicates the Throttle Actuator Control (TAC) module has detected a performance problem with the throttle actuator's position, meaning the electronic throttle body is not reaching or holding the position commanded by the powertrain control module. The TAC module monitors the throttle plate's actual position against its expected position and sets this code when the two disagree beyond a calibrated threshold.

SystemPowertrain

Code typeChrysler specific

SeverityHigh

Fix difficultyProfessional

AreaVehicle speed, idle control and auxiliary inputs

Symptoms you may notice

The electronic throttle control warning light or check engine light illuminates on the dashboard.
The engine may enter limp-home mode, limiting power and restricting vehicle speed.
The accelerator pedal may feel unresponsive or delayed when pressed.
The engine may idle erratically, surge, or stall unexpectedly.
A noticeable lack of power or hesitation during acceleration.
Often no symptoms besides the warning light, especially if the fault is intermittent.

Common causes, most likely first

Carbon buildup or contamination on the throttle plate and bore, restricting movement.
A failing throttle actuator motor inside the electronic throttle body.
Worn or damaged throttle position sensor(s) within the throttle body assembly.
Corroded, damaged, or loose wiring in the TAC module or throttle body circuits.
A faulty TAC module or powertrain control module (PCM) internal driver.
A binding throttle shaft or mechanical obstruction in the throttle body.
Low battery voltage or poor grounds affecting TAC module operation.

How to diagnose and fix it

Scan all modules for stored and pending codes, and record freeze-frame data to understand when the fault occurred.
Visually inspect the throttle body for carbon buildup and clean it with approved throttle body cleaner.
Check the throttle body electrical connector and harness for corrosion, chafing, or loose pins.
Perform a throttle body relearn or calibration procedure using a scan tool after cleaning or replacement.
Backprobe the throttle actuator motor and throttle position sensor circuits to verify voltage and resistance against factory specifications.
If the actuator motor or sensors are faulty, replace the electronic throttle body assembly and perform the relearn procedure.
If all external components test good, diagnose the TAC module or PCM and replace only after confirming a faulty internal driver.

Why P1516 Often Isn't the Throttle Body

A dirty throttle body is the most common cause of P1516 on Chrysler vehicles, and a thorough cleaning with a proper relearn often resolves the code without any parts replacement.
The code can be set by a weak battery or charging system issue, so always verify battery voltage and ground connections before condemning the throttle body.
Intermittent wiring faults at the throttle body connector are frequently missed because the harness looks fine until you wiggle-test it under load.
Replacing the throttle body without performing the required calibration relearn will almost certainly cause the code to return immediately.
P1516 can be a stored history code from a previous low-voltage event, so check if it is current or history before starting diagnostics.

Can I keep driving with P1516?

If the vehicle is in limp-home mode with severely limited power, avoid driving it on public roads and have it towed to a repair facility. If the light is on but the car drives normally, you can drive cautiously to a shop, but be prepared for sudden power loss and avoid high-speed or heavy-load driving.

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.