P2100
Throttle Actuator A Control Motor Circuit/Open
Fuel & air metering
Generic OBD-II
High
What it means
P2100 means the PCM detected an open in the circuit that drives the electronic throttle actuator motor. On a drive-by-wire system this motor opens and closes the throttle plate, so an open circuit usually forces the engine into a reduced-power failsafe (limp mode) where it may only idle. This is a serious drivability fault — the engine may start but won't respond normally to the pedal.
High
Can I keep driving? Drive minimally — an open throttle motor circuit usually forces limp mode with sharply reduced power, and the engine may only idle.
Common symptoms
What you'll notice
- Check-engine light on (often with a throttle/reduced-power warning)
- Limp mode / severely reduced power
- Poor or no throttle response; engine may only idle
- Rough idle or stalling
Common causes
Most likely first
- Open or shorted wiring in the throttle actuator motor circuitLikely
- Corroded or loose throttle body connectorCommon
- Failed throttle actuator control motor inside the throttle bodyCommon
- Carbon buildup binding the throttle plateLess often
- Faulty PCM / drive-by-wire control (rare)Less often
How to diagnose & fix
Work through it in order
- Read freeze-frame data and inspect the throttle body connector and wiring for opens, shorts, or corrosion.
- Clean the throttle body and check that the plate moves freely, then reset and re-test.
- Measure the actuator motor resistance and circuit continuity against spec.
- Repair damaged wiring or a bad connector; replace the throttle body if the motor is open.
- Perform any required throttle relearn, clear the code, and re-test. Consider the PCM only after wiring checks out.
FAQ
Quick answers
Is it safe to drive with P2100?+
Only minimally — the throttle usually drops into a reduced-power failsafe, so limp home or tow it and repair before normal driving.
Can I just clear P2100?+
It returns immediately if the motor circuit is open; the throttle won't respond normally until the wiring or throttle body is fixed.
Related codes
Often seen with P2100
Read & clear P2100 yourself
Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.
✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX