P0223 on 2017-2022 Honda CR-V: Throttle Position Sensor 'B' Circuit High Fixes

What's Unique About the 2017-2022 Honda CR-V

On the 5th generation Honda CR-V (2017-2022) and its platform mates like the Civic and Accord with the 1.5L Turbo engine, the throttle position sensors (both 'A' and 'B') are integrated directly into the electronic throttle body assembly. Unlike older vehicles where the sensor could be replaced separately, Honda designed this component as a single, non-serviceable unit. This means a P0223 code almost always necessitates the replacement of the entire throttle body, not just the sensor itself. This design choice simplifies manufacturing but increases the cost of this specific repair for the owner.

Symptoms You May Notice

• Check Engine Light is on
• Vehicle enters 'limp mode' with drastically reduced engine power
• Poor, delayed, or no acceleration
• Hesitation or stumbling during acceleration
• Engine may be hard to start or fails to start
• Unstable, rough, or erratic idle
• Harsh or delayed shifting in automatic transmissions

Most Likely Causes

1. Faulty Throttle Body Assembly 🔴 High Probability → Shop Fuel Injection Throttle Body The Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) is integrated into the throttle body and is not sold as a separate component for this vehicle generation. Failure of the internal sensor electronics requires replacement of the whole assembly. This is a known issue on the 1.5T engine platform.
   How to confirm: After confirming wiring is intact, use a diagnostic scan tool to monitor the live data for TPS 'B' voltage. If the voltage is stuck high (e.g., near 5.0V) and does not change as the throttle plate is manually moved (with engine off), the sensor inside the throttle body has failed.
   Typical fix: Replace the entire throttle body assembly. After replacement, a throttle body relearn procedure must be performed.
   Est. part cost: $250 - $500
2. Wiring or Connector Issue 🟡 Medium Probability The 6-pin connector at the throttle body can become corroded or have a pin lose tension. More commonly, users may inadvertently trigger this code after performing other maintenance. Forgetting to plug the connector back in securely after cleaning the throttle body will immediately set codes P0223 and P0123 upon starting the engine.
   How to confirm: Visually inspect the wiring harness and the 6-pin connector at the throttle body for any signs of damage, corrosion, or loose pins. Use a multimeter to check for continuity and for a short to power on the signal wire (Pin 4, often called THL2) and the ground wire (often called SG3). Continuity should be less than 1 ohm.
   Typical fix: Repair the damaged section of the wiring harness or clean/replace the connector. Ensure the connector is fully seated.
   Est. part cost: $10 - $50

Rare But Worth Checking

• Faulty Powertrain Control Module (PCM): → Shop Engine Control Module (ECM) This is extremely rare. The PCM should only be considered after all other possibilities, including the throttle body and wiring, have been exhaustively tested and ruled out. PCM failure often presents with multiple, unrelated fault codes.

Diagnosis Steps

1. Verify the code P0223 with an OBD-II scanner. Check for any other related codes, especially P0123.
2. Visually inspect the throttle body area. If work was recently performed, double-check that the 6-pin electrical connector is fully seated and locked.
3. Turn the ignition off and disconnect the 6-pin connector from the throttle body. Inspect the connector and harness for any damage, corrosion, or bent pins.
4. Turn the ignition to the ON position (engine off).
5. Using a multimeter, measure the voltage between the signal wire terminal (Pin 4, THL2) and a good body ground. A reading of approximately 5.0V at this stage points towards a faulty throttle body.
6. If voltage is not correct, check for continuity on the signal wire (THL2) and ground wire (SG3) between the throttle body connector and the corresponding PCM connectors. Resistance should be less than 1.0 ohm.
7. If all wiring checks out and the voltage was stuck high, the throttle body assembly is faulty and must be replaced.
8. After replacing the throttle body, perform the throttle position relearn procedure. This can be done with a Honda HDS scan tool or manually.
9. Manual Relearn Procedure:
10. a. Ensure all electrical accessories (A/C, radio, lights) are turned OFF.
11. b. Start the engine and let it warm up completely. The cooling fans should cycle at least once.
12. c. Turn the engine off.
13. d. Turn the ignition to ON (II) for 2 seconds, then start the engine.
14. e. Hold the engine speed at 3,000 RPM (in Park or Neutral) with no load until the cooling fans turn on, or until the engine coolant temperature reaches 194°F (90°C).
15. f. Let the engine idle for at least 5 minutes with no throttle input and all electrical accessories off. Note: If the cooling fans run during this period, you must wait until they stop and then continue timing for the 5 minutes.
16. g. The relearn is complete. Turn the engine off and restart to verify normal idle.

Parts You'll Likely Need

• Throttle Body Assembly (OEM #16400-5LA-A01) — The Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) that causes code P0223 is integrated into the throttle body. It cannot be purchased or replaced separately on the 1.5L Turbo engine. NOTE: Verify the part number with your VIN. Other similar part numbers like 16400-5K1-A01 (2.0L Hybrid) or 16400-5BA-A01 (2.0L non-turbo) are for different engines and are not interchangeable.
  Trusted brands: Honda (OEM), Hitachi (Often the OEM supplier)
  OEM price range: $350-$500
  Aftermarket price range: $250-$400

Related Codes That Often Appear With This One

• P0123 — P0123 is 'Throttle Position Sensor 'A' Circuit High'. Since sensors 'A' and 'B' are in the same throttle body assembly, an internal electronic failure or a disconnected main connector will cause both codes to appear simultaneously.

Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) & Recalls

• As of early 2026, no specific Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) from Honda has been identified for trouble code P0223 on the 2017-2022 CR-V. Diagnosis should follow standard workshop manual procedures.

Platform-Specific Known Issues

• Shared Failure on 1.5T Engine Platform: This issue is not unique to the CR-V. The Honda Civic (2016-2021) and Accord (2018-2022) using the same 1.5L Turbo engine experience the same P0223/P0123 codes, also caused by a failure of the integrated throttle body assembly. This indicates a platform-wide component issue rather than a model-specific one.

Mechanic-Grade Diagnostic Values

• TPS 'B' (THL2) Signal Voltage with HDS Scan Tool — expected: Should fluctuate between ~0.5V (idle) and ~4.5V (wide open throttle).. Failure: A fixed reading at or above 4.8V, even with the throttle plate closed.
• Reference Voltage at Throttle Body Connector — expected: Approximately 5.0V between the power and ground pins with the key on, engine off.. Failure: Significantly lower or no voltage, indicating a wiring issue or PCM fault.
• Continuity on Signal (THL2) and Ground (SG3) Wires — expected: Less than 1.0 ohm of resistance between the throttle body connector and the corresponding PCM connector pins.. Failure: High resistance or an open circuit (OL) indicates a broken wire.

Scan Tool Commands That Help

• Honda HDS (or equivalent bidirectional scanner): Clear DTCs — Used as the first step in diagnosis to see if the code immediately returns, confirming a hard fault.
• Honda HDS (or equivalent bidirectional scanner): Throttle Position Sensor Reset / TPS Calibration — This function resets the learned values for the throttle position. It is sometimes required after cleaning or replacing the throttle body if the manual relearn procedure fails to resolve an erratic idle.
• Advanced Scan Tool (e.g., iCarsoft, Autel): Throttle Position Test (Bi-Directional Control) — Allows the technician to command the throttle plate to open and close while observing the TPS 'A' and 'B' voltage readings in live data. If the actuator moves but the TPS 'B' voltage doesn't change, it confirms a failed sensor within the throttle body.

Wiring & Ground Locations

• G101 — On the engine block, near the transmission housing, often under the air intake box assembly.. This is a primary ground point for the engine and PCM. A corroded or loose G101 ground can cause floating voltages and intermittent high circuit codes like P0223 for various sensors.
• Throttle Body 6-Pin Connector — Directly on the electronic throttle body, mounted to the intake manifold.. This is the single connection point for both TPS sensors and the throttle actuator motor. Pin 4 (THL2) is the signal wire for TPS 'B', and Pin 3 is often the corresponding 5V reference. A bad connection here is a common cause of the code.
• PCM Connector B (51-Pin) / C (44-Pin) — The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) is located in the engine bay. The specific connectors house the pins for the throttle body circuits.. Technicians test for continuity between these connectors and the throttle body connector to rule out a wiring harness break. For example, on some models, TPS 'B' signal (THL2) goes to Pin 47 of PCM connector B.

Real Owner Repair Stories

• CRV Owners Club Forum (2018 Honda CR-V 1.5T) — Check engine light, limp mode, car would not accelerate over 20 mph. Codes P0123 and P0223 were present.
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) Clearing codes (they returned immediately)., Checking the electrical connector (it was secure).
  ✅ What actually fixed it The owner replaced the entire throttle body assembly with a new OEM part. After replacement and performing the manual idle relearn procedure, the codes were cleared and did not return. The vehicle's performance returned to normal.

Diagnostic Flowchart

Used vs. New Parts: Buying Guide for This Vehicle

When a used part is the smart pick: A used OEM throttle body from a low-mileage, rear-ended donor vehicle can be a cost-effective option, especially for a DIY repair. Since the failure is electronic, a part from a vehicle that was running perfectly before an accident is likely to have significant life left.

Donor-vehicle mileage cap: roughly under 60000 miles for the part to have meaningful remaining life.

What to inspect on the donor part:

• Verify the part number on the used unit matches the original exactly.
• Inspect the 6-pin electrical connector for any corrosion, bent pins, or damage to the plastic housing.
• Ensure the throttle plate moves freely by hand (with the unit disconnected) and is not caked with excessive carbon.
• Ask the salvage yard for the VIN of the donor car to check its history and mileage if possible.

OEM-only on this vehicle (don't cheap out):

• Throttle Body Assembly

Aftermarket brands forum-validated for this vehicle:

• Hitachi (often the original equipment manufacturer for Honda)

Brands owners have reported issues with on this vehicle:

• Unbranded, no-name parts from online marketplaces. Forum discussions frequently mention that ultra-cheap electronic parts have a high failure rate, sometimes within months, forcing a repeat of the repair.

Real Owner Stories

Aggregated from forums and TSBs cited above. Mileages and costs reflect what owners reported in those sources.

Related OBD-II Codes

• P0123 — This is the companion code for the Throttle Position Sensor 'A' Circuit High Input. The throttle body contains two separate sensors for redundancy. A fault in the connector or the entire assembly, which is the most common cause for P0223, will almost always set P0123 at the same time.
• P0222 — This is the direct counterpart to P0223, indicating 'Throttle Position Sensor 'B' Circuit Low Input'. It points to the same component (TPS 'B') but a different failure mode, such as a short to ground or an open circuit in the signal wire, rather than a short to power.
• P0122 — This code is for 'Throttle Position Sensor 'A' Circuit Low Input'. Similar to P0222, it indicates a low voltage condition on the 'A' sensor circuit. It shares the same potential root causes as P0223, namely a faulty throttle body assembly or a wiring issue.
• P2101 — This code for 'Throttle Actuator Control Motor Circuit Range/Performance' relates to the electric motor inside the same throttle body assembly. A catastrophic internal failure of the throttle body could potentially affect both the position sensors (P0223) and the actuator motor.
• P2135 — This code indicates 'Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch 'A'/'B' Voltage Correlation'. It is set when the PCM sees a disagreement between the two internal throttle position sensors (the same ones that trigger P0123 and P0223). This code directly points to a failure within the throttle body's integrated sensors.

Frequently Asked Questions