Hyundai Accent 2005 P0122 Fault: TPS Sensor Issue with Recurring Stalling and Idle Problems
Hi everyone! I own a 2005 Hyundai Accent (99,000 km) with a 1.6L engine and automatic transmission. Three weeks ago, the check engine light came on, and I've been experiencing several driving issues. The fault code displayed is P0122 — indicating a problem with the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS). Symptoms include: - Rough or low idle - Engine stalling - Surging during acceleration - Lack of response when pressing the accelerator pedal One week ago, while driving at around 80 km/h, my car suddenly lost power. The accelerator pedal didn't respond. I shut off the engine and restarted it — but initially, the vehicle wouldn’t accept fuel or would stall immediately. My brother managed to restart it by spraying fuel directly into the intake manifold (a temporary fix). Since then, I took the car to a garage. They replaced the TPS sensor, but the problem returned. The same P0120 code reappeared and the check engine light remains on. The mechanic mentioned that the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) was previously modified by a previous owner. I'm now wondering: - Do I need to replace the PCM? - Is there any way to fix this without replacing the module? - Could it be something else entirely? Has anyone experienced similar issues with their 2005 Hyundai Accent or other vehicles with P0122 codes after a previous owner modified the PCM? Any advice, troubleshooting steps, or known fixes would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!
It's unlikely that the ECM (ECU) itself is faulty. First, inspect the TPS sensor wiring and connector for loose connections, corrosion, poor grounding, high resistance, or open circuits. A known Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) exists for P0121 in high-altitude regions — it requires dealer-level reprogramming of the ECM to resolve. If your vehicle is in a high-elevation area, this could be relevant.