Technical Description of OBD-II Trouble Code
Forced Limited Power in Throttle Actuator Control System
What does that signify?
This generic powertrain diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is applicable to all OBD-II equipped vehicles that utilize a drive-by-wire throttle control system, including but not limited to vehicles from Ford, Mercedes Benz, Mazda, Kia, Hyundai, Dodge / Ram, Land Rover, VW, Jaguar, etc.
The P2106 OBD-II trouble code is one of several codes that indicate a malfunction in the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) and result in the limitation of the Throttle Actuator Control System’s operation.
This situation is known as activating a fail-safe or limp mode, which prevents the engine from accelerating until the malfunction is rectified and the associated code is cleared. There are four force codes, namely P2104, P2105, P2106, and P2110, which are set by the PCM when other codes are present indicating a safety-related issue or potential damage to the engine or drivetrain components if not addressed promptly.
Code P2106 is set by the PCM to restrict the power level of the engine in the Throttle Actuator Control System.
This code may be related to a malfunction in the Throttle Actuator Control System, but usually, another issue triggers this code. Trouble code P2106 is triggered by the PCM when it receives an abnormal signal from various components. The PCM controls the duty cycle of the Throttle Actuator Control System, and its function is limited when other fault codes are detected.
Severity of the Code & Symptoms
The severity of this code can range from moderate to severe, depending on the specific malfunction. Symptoms of a P2106 trouble code may include:
Common Causes of this DTC Code
The most common situations that trigger this code and put the engine in fail-safe or limp mode, indicating an issue, are:
Common Repairs for this Code
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.
This is an important step. For example, some Fords from 2003-2005 are affected by a P2106 and/or other code, and the fix is to reprogram the PCM.
The second step for this code is to complete a PCM scan to identify other trouble codes. This code serves as an informational code, and in most cases, its function is to alert the driver that the PCM has initiated a fail-safe mode due to 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, which puts the engine in fail-safe or limp mode.
Once all other codes have been cleared or if no other codes are detected, and if the Throttle Control Actuator code still persists, the PCM and Throttle Control Actuator should be evaluated. Start by visually inspecting all wiring and connections for any obvious defects.
Common Mistake
Replacing the Throttle Control Actuator or PCM when other malfunctions are triggering this code.
Rare Repair
Replace Throttle Actuator Control
Hopefully, the information in this article has been helpful in guiding you to resolve the problem with your Throttle Actuator Control System force code. However, please note that 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 P2106 code:
