Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
DTC P2138: General Description
Accelerator pedal position (APP) sensor A and accelerator pedal position (APP) sensor B are potentiometers. They are installed on the accelerator pedal. When the accelerator pedal is pressed, APP sensors A and B detect the accelerator pedal opening value. The accelerator pedal opening value is converted to a signal in APP sensors A and B and transmitted to the powertrain control module (PCM) to compute the target position. APP sensor A is the primary control, and APP sensor B is a back-up of APP sensor A in case it malfunctions. Both sensors compare their output voltage to each other for malfunction detection. When the voltage difference of APP sensor B is out of a fixed range for a set time, the PCM detects a malfunction and stores a DTC.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.