Faulty accelerator pedal position sensor assembly (internal sensor 1 or low-reference sensor failure); Damaged or chafed wiring in the LPDS signal or low-reference circuit; Corroded or loose connector pins at the pedal sensor or PCM; Poor ground connection shared by the pedal sensor circuits; PCM software calibration issue requiring a reflash or update; Failed PCM driver circuit for the low-reference sensor (less common)

DTC codes / Ford codes / P1253

P1253 · FordPedal Correlation PDS1 and LPDS Low

Q: What does code P1253 mean?

Pedal Correlation PDS1 and LPDS Low. P1253 on Ford vehicles means the powertrain control module (PCM) has detected that the accelerator pedal position sensor 1 (PDS1) and the low-reference accelerator pedal position sensor (LPDS) signals are not correlating as expected, with the LPDS circuit reading low. The two pedal sensors that should track each other have disagreed, and the PCM has flagged the low-reference side as the problem.

P1253 on Ford vehicles means the powertrain control module (PCM) has detected that the accelerator pedal position sensor 1 (PDS1) and the low-reference accelerator pedal position sensor (LPDS) signals are not correlating as expected, with the LPDS circuit reading low. The two pedal sensors that should track each other have disagreed, and the PCM has flagged the low-reference side as the problem.

SystemPowertrain

Code typeFord specific

SeverityMedium

Fix difficultyIntermediate

AreaFuel and air metering (injector circuits)

Symptoms you may notice

Illumination of the check engine light, often with no other noticeable symptoms
Reduced engine power or limp-home mode triggered by the PCM
Poor or delayed throttle response when pressing the accelerator
Hesitation or surging during acceleration
Unexpected idle speed changes or stalling
Cruise control may become inoperative

Common causes, most likely first

Faulty accelerator pedal position sensor assembly (internal sensor 1 or low-reference sensor failure)
Damaged or chafed wiring in the LPDS signal or low-reference circuit
Corroded or loose connector pins at the pedal sensor or PCM
Poor ground connection shared by the pedal sensor circuits
PCM software calibration issue requiring a reflash or update
Failed PCM driver circuit for the low-reference sensor (less common)

How to diagnose and fix it

Connect a scan tool and record all accelerator pedal position sensor voltages and the P1253 freeze-frame data before clearing anything
Visually inspect the pedal sensor connector and wiring harness for corrosion, chafing, or loose pins, and repair as needed
Back-probe the LPDS signal and low-reference wires at the sensor and at the PCM to check for opens, shorts to ground, or excessive resistance
Verify the sensor ground circuit has less than 0.1 volt drop under load, and clean or repair the ground if it does not
If wiring and grounds are good, replace the accelerator pedal position sensor assembly and clear the code
If the code returns after sensor replacement, check for a PCM calibration update and reflash if available
As a last step, test or replace the PCM only after all other circuits and components have been ruled out

Before you replace the pedal assembly

A low-reference circuit fault often comes from a bad ground shared with other sensors, so cleaning the ground point can fix P1253 without any parts.
The pedal sensor connector is frequently damaged during unrelated service work under the dash, so check for bent pins before condemning the sensor.
P1253 can be set by a momentary glitch that does not return after clearing, so always road-test with live data before replacing parts.
Aftermarket pedal assemblies have caused repeat correlation codes on Fords, so a known-good OEM unit is the safer choice when replacement is needed.
A weak battery or charging system fault can cause the PCM to misread sensor voltages and set P1253, so check battery voltage and grounds first.

Can I keep driving with P1253?

You can usually drive the vehicle to a shop, but expect reduced power and avoid heavy acceleration or highway merging until the fault is repaired. If the vehicle enters limp mode or stalls, stop driving and arrange a tow.

Tools that help

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