P2104 Throttle Actuator Control System – Forced Idle
OBD-II Trouble Code Technical Description
Throttle Actuator Control System – Forced Idle
What does that mean?
This generic powertrain diagnostic trouble code (DTC) typically applies to all OBD-II equipped vehicles that use a drive-by-wire throttle control system including but not limited to vehicles from Ford, GM, Toyota, Dodge, Chevy, Subaru, etc. Anecdotally this code seems to be a a lot more common on Ford vehicles compared to other brands.
The P2104 OBD-II trouble code is one of number of possible codes that indicates that the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) has detected a malfunction and is limiting the operation of the Throttle Actuator Control System
This situation is known as activating a fail-safe or limp mode to prevent the engine from accelerating until this malfunction is corrected and the associated code is cleared. There are four codes that are referred to as force codes and they are P2104, P2105, P2106 and P2110.
The PCM sets these when other codes are present that indicate an issue that may be safety related or cause damage to the engine or drivetrain components if not corrected in a timely manner.
Code P2104 is set by the PCM to force the Throttle Actuator Control System to remain at idle.
This code can be related to a Throttle Actuator Control System malfunction, but normally another issue is setting this code. Trouble code P2104 is triggered by the PCM when it receives an abnormal signal from various components. The Throttle Actuator Control System is duty cycle controlled by the PCM and the function of the system is limited when other fault codes are detected.
Code Severity & Symptoms
The severity of this code can be moderate to severe based on the specific malfunction. Symptoms of a P2104 trouble code may include:
Common Causes Of This DTC Code
The most common situations that set this code and place the engine in fail-safe or limp mode to indicate an issue and act as a red flag are:
What are some common repairs?
Diagnostic and Repair Procedures
The first step in the troubleshooting process for any malfunction is to research the Technical Service Bulletins (TSB’s) for the specific vehicle by year, model and power plant. In some circumstances this can save a lot of time in the long run by pointing you in the right direction.
The second step for this code is to complete a PCM scan to identify other trouble codes. This code is an informational code and in most circumstances this code’s function is to alert a driver that the PCM has initiated a fail-safe mode because of a malfunction or failure in a system that is not directly related to the Throttle Control Actuator.
If other codes are identified you should check for TSB’s related to the specific vehicle and that code. If a TSB has not been generated you should follow the specific troubleshooting steps for that code to pinpoint the source of the malfunction that the PCM is detecting to put the engine in fail-safe or limp mode.
Once all other codes have been cleared or if no other codes are detected, if the Throttle Control Actuator code still exists the PCM and Throttle Control Actuator should be evaluated. All wiring and connections should be visually inspected for obvious defects as a starting point.
Common Mistake
Replacing the Throttle Control Actuator or PCM when other malfunctions are setting this code.
Rare Repair
Replace Throttle Actuator Control
Hopefully, the information in this article has been helpful to point you in the right direction to correct the problem with your Throttle Actuator Control System force code. This article is strictly informational and the specific technical data and service bulletins for your vehicle should always take priority.
External Links
Here are links to some discussions of Ford vehicles with the P2104 code:
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Let us fix your problem. You are most welcome our diagnosis experts have in most cases the knowledge and skills to find the cause of the error code p2104 and to solve the problems.
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"Delete Error Code Permanently, Disable DTC Error Code Function for p2104 in the ECU"
In extreme cases, we even have the option to permanently remove the specific DTC p2104 and disable the function of the specific error code in the ECU. All other fault code functions will then continue to work to protect the engine. This is different from clearing an error code with a diagnostic device. We have the option to permanently remove the function of the specific error code, so that it never comes back. Also emergency running that occurs on the specific error code can be solved in most cases.
Of course we prefer to first try to solve the cause of the error code, but sometimes the only solution is to permanently disable the DTC function of p2104.
