Your Can-Am won't take throttle, drops into limp mode or the RPM hangs, and somewhere online you read about a PPS fault. PPS stands for pedal position sensor, the sensor on the gas pedal. Typical symptoms are RPM that won't climb past a certain point, jerky throttle response or an engine that doesn't react to the pedal at all. Before you order a new pedal, look at which code your machine actually stored and what BRP says about it.
PPS in the official BRP list
The abbreviation PPS does not appear in the official BRP fault code list. The codes for the gas pedal sensor are called TAS (Throttle Accelerator Sensor) or APS (Accelerator Position Sensor) there. According to the list, the sensor has two signals, sensor 1 and sensor 2. The ECM compares them all the time. If they don't agree, it sets a code and in many cases pulls power.
A selection of pedal sensor codes
Here is a short selection with the official meaning. Some codes have several variants depending on the vehicle and the module:
| Code | BRP meaning |
|---|---|
| P0122 | Throttle Accelerator Sensor (TAS) 1, shorted to ground or open circuit. On some vehicles this refers to the throttle position sensor (TPS) instead. |
| P0123 | Throttle Accelerator Sensor (TAS) 1, shorted to battery positive or supply voltage. Here too, TPS on some vehicles. |
| P0222 | Throttle Accelerator Sensor (TAS) 2, shorted to ground or open circuit |
| P0223 | Throttle Accelerator Sensor (TAS) 2, shorted to battery positive or supply |
| P060D and P2135 | Synchronization error between sensor 1 and sensor 2 of the pedal sensor |
| P16C3 | Throttle Accelerator Sensors (TAS) monitoring check fault |
| P060A | Accelerator Position Sensor (APS) disconnected |
| P2136 | Accelerator Position Sensor (APS) not plausible |
| P2299 | Throttle and brake pedal used at the same time (one of several variants) |
P2299 isn't a sensor fault in the strict sense, but it often comes up in the same search. The ECM sets it when it sees throttle and brake at the same time. P0122 has its own post: Fault Code P0122.
Common causes
- Pedal connector: mud, water and corrosion. On side-by-sides that ride off road, this is the most common reason.
- Wiring harness: pinched or chafed wires in the footwell, often after modifications or floor work.
- Pedal mechanics: dirt or debris that makes the pedal stick, a floor mat that has slipped.
- Voltage: a weak battery distorts sensor signals.
- The sensor itself: only likely after the points above are ruled out.
The right check order
- Read and write down the codes: which code, which sensor, active or stored.
- Free up the pedal: clean the footwell, check the mat, press the pedal through by hand.
- Pedal connector: unplug it, check for mud and corrosion, clean it and plug it in firmly.
- Watch live data: press the pedal slowly from zero to full throttle. If the value jumps, something is wrong.
- Wiggle test: gently move the harness while watching live data.
- Check the battery, then clear the codes and take a test ride.
Reading and clearing with the app
With M-JET DIAGNOSTIC you read the code over Bluetooth in plain language with its status. In live data you see the pedal and throttle values in real time, which is perfect for the wiggle test. The TPS reset in the app relearns the throttle body. It won't help with a wiring fault at the pedal. Only run resets with a stable power supply and per the manufacturer's instructions. If P2299 shows up even though nobody pressed both pedals, check the brake pedal and the footwell too.
Limp mode and the shop
Pedal sensor faults are typical limp mode triggers. More on the Defender and other models in Can-Am Defender in Limp Mode and Can-Am Limp Mode. If the connector and the wiggle test show nothing and the code stays active, the harness has to be measured. A machine that doesn't respond reliably to the pedal shouldn't be driven further than necessary.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I find PPS in the code list?
Because BRP calls the sensor TAS or APS in the official list. PPS is more of a forum term. The app shows you the plain-language text for your machine.
Is a PPS fault the same on the Defender, Maverick and Commander?
The principle is the same. Which code and which exact wording you get depends on the vehicle and the module.
Do I need a new pedal?
Only once the connector, wiring and voltage check out and the live value still jumps. Often it is just a dirty connector.
Does a TPS reset fix a PPS fault?
No. The TPS reset relearns the throttle body, not the pedal. It makes sense after work on the throttle body, not for a wiring or connector fault at the pedal.
