P0068 means MAP/MAF – Throttle Position Correlation. The airflow measured by the MAF or MAP sensor does not match what the throttle position says should be flowing. It is a generic OBD-II code, so the definition is the same on any make, but the most likely cause varies by engine; confirm with a scan tool and the service information for your vehicle before buying parts.
What P0068 means
Most vehicles built in the last two decades use electronic throttle control instead of a throttle cable: the accelerator pedal carries two or three position sensors, and the throttle body has a motor and two position sensors of its own. The computer compares the redundant sensors constantly, and any disagreement triggers reduced-power mode as a safety measure. Older engines with a throttle cable control idle with a separate idle air control valve.
P0068 symptoms
- Reduced-power mode
- Hesitation or stalling
- Rough idle
Common causes of P0068
- Vacuum or intake leak after the MAF
- Dirty MAF sensor
- Dirty or failing throttle body
- Wiring problems
How to diagnose P0068
- Inspect the intake ducting and smoke-test for leaks
- Clean the MAF and throttle body
- Compare MAF, MAP and throttle readings on a scan tool
Can you drive with P0068?
With caution; reduced power can be unsafe in traffic.
P0068 tips
P0068 often follows air filter or intake work where a boot was left loose, so the MAF measures less air than the throttle position implies. Check every clamp between the MAF and the throttle body.
Will P0068 clear itself?
If the fault stops, the computer turns off the check engine light by itself after several drive cycles without seeing it again, and the code stays in memory as history for a while. Clearing P0068 with a scan tool after a repair is fine, but if the cause is still there the code returns, sometimes within one drive. Disconnecting the battery also clears codes on most vehicles, but it erases learned fuel trims and idle settings as well.
Related codes
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| P0101 | Mass or Volume Air Flow Circuit Range/Performance |
| P0106 | Manifold Absolute Pressure/Barometric Pressure Circuit Range/Performance |
| P0121 | Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch A Circuit Range/Performance |
Guides that help
When it is more than a sensor
Throttle and idle codes are fixed at the throttle body, the pedal, a sensor or a leak. If those check out and the engine still runs poorly, a compression test separates a control problem from a worn engine; compare engines by code on our engines page.
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