What causes Ford code 125?

The throttle linkage is tight or sticking and drags the signal below the expected value. An intake leak changes idle and the TP signal sits lower than expected. The MAP or BARO sensor reads wrong and skews the low TP reading. The ECM sees the throttle position lower than expected for the running condition.

How do I fix Ford code 125?

Check the throttle linkage and its adjustment, and look for a sticking plate. Check for an intake leak that changes idle. Test the MAP or BARO sensor and replace it only if it fails its own test. Test the ECM last, only after every circuit test has passed. Clear the code, then retest to confirm the TP signal matches the expected value.

Ford 125 Throttle position sensor voltage lower than expected

Q: What does Ford code 125 mean?

Ford code 125. Throttle position sensor voltage lower than expected.

Make: Ford (1981-1995)
Category: Powertrain - Fuel/Air Metering
Severity: Check Engine Light

How to read it

Code 125 reads as 1 flash, pause, 2 flashes, pause, 5 flashes on the check-engine light. Jumper the self-test input to signal return at the test connector, then run the key on engine off self test and the running self test, counting the check-engine flashes each time.

New to flash codes? The How to Read Ford EEC-IV Self-Test Codes walks through the test and what the numbers mean. The general OBD-I guide covers the rest.

What does Ford code 125 mean?

Throttle position sensor voltage lower than expected

Common causes of 125

The throttle linkage is tight or sticking and drags the signal below the expected value.
An intake leak changes idle and the TP signal sits lower than expected.
The MAP or BARO sensor reads wrong and skews the low TP reading.
The ECM sees the throttle position lower than expected for the running condition.

How to fix 125

Check the throttle linkage and its adjustment, and look for a sticking plate.
Check for an intake leak that changes idle.
Test the MAP or BARO sensor and replace it only if it fails its own test.
Test the ECM last, only after every circuit test has passed.
Clear the code, then retest to confirm the TP signal matches the expected value.

Source

Source review recorded

Sources and review

Review: checked against the recorded source material.

EEC-IV Ford trouble code table (MIL, description, type)
archived reference page (troublecodes.net via Wayback Machine)
Supports: code identity and meaning
Fetched directly. The three-digit row matches the description used in the data file.
https://web.archive.org/web/20030720231430id_/http://www.troublecodes.net:80/Ford/eec-iv.shtml
Ford trouble codes, Contour, Escort, Mustang, Probe, Taurus and Tempo 1992-1995 (code, description, probable cause)
archived reference page (troublecodes.net via Wayback Machine)
Supports: code identity and probable causes
Independent table on the same archive site with matching code identity and a probable cause column.
http://web.archive.org/web/20160501223306id_/http://www.troublecodes.net:80/ford/contour-escort-mustang-probe-taurus-tempo-1992-1995/
Ford EEC-IV trouble code table: code, fault location, probable cause (Crown Victoria, Mustang, Taurus, Thunderbird 1992-1995)
reference page (troublecodes.net)
Supports: per-code probable causes used for the page cause list and test order
Fetched 2026-09-30. The probable cause column is what the page lists, in source order, with the test order built from it.
https://www.troublecodes.net/ford/crown-victoria-mustang-cobralxgt-taurus-thunderbird-1992-1995/

Last updated 2026-10-10.

Report a correction for 125. Include your vehicle, the issue and a source if you have one.