Carbon buildup or mechanical wear on the throttle body bore or plate preventing the plate from fully closing to the minimum stop; A faulty throttle or pedal position sensor 'E' with a worn resistive track or failing hall-effect element; Damaged, corroded, or chafed wiring in the sensor 'E' signal or reference circuit; A loose or corroded sensor connector causing intermittent signal loss at the closed-throttle position; An improperly adjusted or sticking throttle cable or linkage that holds the plate off its stop; A relearn or adaptation procedure that was not performed after throttle body cleaning or replacement; A rare internal fault in the engine control module's throttle position processing circuit

DTC codes / P21xx · Fuel and air metering / P2116

P2116Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor 'E' Minimum Stop Performance

Q: What does code P2116 mean?

Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor 'E' Minimum Stop Performance. P2116 indicates that the engine control module has detected a performance problem with the minimum stop position of throttle or pedal position sensor 'E', meaning the sensor's signal at the closed-throttle limit does not match the expected value stored in the module's memory. The computer compares the sensor's voltage or position reading at the minimum stop against a learned or factory-specified threshold and sets the code when the signal falls outside that acceptable range during key-on or closed-throttle events.

P2116 indicates that the engine control module has detected a performance problem with the minimum stop position of throttle or pedal position sensor 'E', meaning the sensor's signal at the closed-throttle limit does not match the expected value stored in the module's memory. The computer compares the sensor's voltage or position reading at the minimum stop against a learned or factory-specified threshold and sets the code when the signal falls outside that acceptable range during key-on or closed-throttle events.

SystemPowertrain

Code typeGeneric (all makes)

SeverityMedium

Fix difficultyIntermediate

AreaFuel and air metering

Symptoms you may notice

Illumination of the check engine light, often with no other noticeable symptoms
A slightly higher or erratic idle speed because the module cannot correctly learn the closed-throttle position
Hesitation or a brief stumble when accelerating from a stop
Reduced engine power or limp-home mode in some vehicles as a protective strategy
Poor fuel economy or altered shift quality if the throttle position signal is skewed
In rare cases, a no-start condition if the module cannot establish a valid minimum stop reference

Common causes, most likely first

Carbon buildup or mechanical wear on the throttle body bore or plate preventing the plate from fully closing to the minimum stop
A faulty throttle or pedal position sensor 'E' with a worn resistive track or failing hall-effect element
Damaged, corroded, or chafed wiring in the sensor 'E' signal or reference circuit
A loose or corroded sensor connector causing intermittent signal loss at the closed-throttle position
An improperly adjusted or sticking throttle cable or linkage that holds the plate off its stop
A relearn or adaptation procedure that was not performed after throttle body cleaning or replacement
A rare internal fault in the engine control module's throttle position processing circuit

How to diagnose and fix it

Connect a scan tool and record the freeze-frame data and sensor 'E' voltage at closed throttle to confirm the fault before touching any parts
Visually inspect the throttle body bore and plate for carbon deposits and clean them with throttle-body cleaner and a soft brush
Inspect the sensor 'E' connector and the full wiring run for corrosion, chafing, or loose pins, and perform a wiggle test while watching live data
Backprobe the sensor 'E' signal and reference circuits and compare readings against the manufacturer's specification at the minimum stop
Check the throttle cable or linkage for binding or incorrect adjustment that prevents the plate from resting on its stop
Perform the manufacturer's throttle position relearn or adaptation procedure with a capable scan tool after any cleaning or repair
If the sensor or throttle body assembly is proven faulty, replace it and repeat the relearn procedure, then clear codes and verify the repair with a road test

What a minimum stop code really tells you

A dirty throttle body is the most common root cause of P2116, and cleaning the bore often resolves the code without replacing any sensor or electronic component.
The code does not automatically mean sensor 'E' has failed, because a sticking throttle plate or a misadjusted cable can produce the same out-of-range minimum stop reading.
Many vehicles require a scan-tool-driven throttle relearn after cleaning or battery service, and skipping that step will set this code again even though the hardware is fine.
Intermittent connector faults can set P2116 only on cold mornings or over bumps, so a static ohm check may pass while a live-data wiggle test reveals the problem.
A weak or failing battery that drops voltage during cranking can corrupt the module's learned minimum stop value and trigger this code without any sensor fault at all.

Can I keep driving with P2116?

You can usually drive the vehicle to a repair shop, but avoid aggressive acceleration and expect possible limp-home mode if the fault worsens. If the engine idles very high, stalls repeatedly, or enters reduced power mode, stop driving and have it diagnosed promptly.

Tools that help

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