Technical Panda (169) 1.2i MR2006 - error P1220 issue (vs. oil level)

[pavproch]

Fiat Panda 1.2i (44kW) 4x4 Climbing MR2006, act. odo approx. 195k km
VIN: ZFA 16900000622218

Hello everyone,

Searching for advice/clues what and when... The P1220 error (throttle signal implausible) started occuring (rarely) around 2009 (ie. „almost“ new car), thru the years gotten more often occuring/annoying (my diagnostics alway showing P1220 ONLY, no other faults, easily erasible).

All related components (ie. Throttle itself, incl. Sensoring, gas pedal etc.) replaced with new ones, no effects.

Throughout the years I happened to come to following realisation: During each (regular á 15kkm) service the oil (Selenia 20k) always filled acc. to manual = 2,8l, causing frequent P1220 error occurence. But, if/when I suck off approx. 0,2 to 0,3l of oil (ie. to the lowest level at its measuring rod), it (P1220) will NEVER occur ?!?!?

Even though I am an mechanical engineer myself, this is wtf NOT undestandable for me, how it is possible to happen (to be related)?!? Upon EPER this engine in Panda does NOT have a crankcase oil breathing valve (unlike the same engine in Punto).

Many thanks in advance for clearing this for me.
-pp-

 

[koalar]

I don't see the correlation between

THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR 1/2 CORRELATION

And oil level

If you put the 300ml of oil back in does P1220 occurre again

 

[pavproch]

I don't see the correlation between

THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR 1/2 CORRELATION

And oil level

If you put the 300ml of oil back in does P1220 occurre again

Yap, it immediately occurs again, often.

 

[koalar]

Fill it back up

And disconnect the crankcase breather and see it occurs again

 

[pavproch]

Already done several times , no change, still occuring with full oil.

 

[koalar]

With the crankcase breather disconnect

 

[pavproch]

Yap.

 

[koalar]

It went faulty just as the Fiat warranty finished

Pour in 2.8L of oil ( sump and filter capacity) should put the level at maximum, as per @portland_bill 60 hp here

If you remove 200ml of oil from the sump it's on minimum

But to get to minimum requires 1L to be removed

The P1220 is the ECU reading a sensor wrong, it's a climbing so should be accelerator pedal track 1 mismatch against track 2

There was a very small chance it could be caused by blowby gasses or leak,

It's remained faulty for 16 years (P1220 is a pain as it causes limp mode)

Sound odd

 

[pavproch]

Nowadays it gets ïnto very limp mode very rarely (one of ten P1220 cases, maybe less), few years back it was happening much more often, almost every time. It simply signals itself on a dashboard and the engine goes a bit harshly, but not limping. And, yes limp-mode is a pain in the ass, but over the years I found the way - re-starting the engine several times (5-10x) and it still remains signalized + harsh-going, but the limp-mode is gone.

And, as I wrote, 0,2l is enough to get rid of P1220 for ever?!?. But why remains mystery to me.

 

[SPORTPACK50]

Is there any chance that it has the incorrect dipstick?

 

[pavproch]

No way, (still) the OEM one.

 

[koalar]

Is there any chance that it has the incorrect dipstick?

Makes no difference

You can fill them up until you can hear the crank hits the surface of the oil and there still isn't any lasting problem

I know, the other half kept putting more and more oil in my car for some reason, and had to drain several litres off

 

[koalar]

But, if/when I suck off approx. 0,2 to 0,3l of oil (ie. to the lowest level at its measuring rod), it (P1220) will NEVER occur ?!?!?

And, as I wrote, 0,2l is enough to get rid of P1220 for ever?!?. But why remains mystery to me

It not how it reads, anyhow let's move on

Did it improve straight after changing any of the parts

Was a relearn preformed

Probably best to put on a flight recorder on the car and data log gas pedal track a and track b, throttle body track a and track b and see what's going on as the fault triggers

Autocom CPD+ tool – how to use the ‘flight recorder’ function

USING THE FLIGHT RECORDER FUNCTION – 7 EASY STEPS! Flight recording is an incredibly useful tool for workshop technicians and Autocom’s flight recorder function allows the user to record parameters in

pmmonline.co.uk

If you have an elm327 you can probably find software to do an similar job, not sure which would be best

I image the fault trigger deaccelration as the throttle body is shut and you have maximum vacuum

Was the correct throttle body fitted, the 4x4 and dual logic are unique

 

[pavproch]

Everytning (newly installed) was OEM a exactly to fit my Panda 4x4. No changes to P1220 occurence after change of any component.,

 

[koalar]

Everytning (newly installed) was OEM a exactly to fit my Panda 4x4. No changes to P1220 occurence after change of any component.,

You have definitely tried driving with this pipe off

 

[DaveMcT]

I wonder if a new (used) 1.2 engine ECU, appropriately reset to factory, would cure the problem by it never having the errant code within.

 

[pavproch]

Yap, the breather pipe disconnected = no avail.
(faulty) ECU: This is an issue I am having in my myind for years, not far from my location is even a local company specializing in ECU errors repairs but I havent (yet) decided to go this way.

 

[koalar]

hot engine
Cold engine
Acceleration
Deaccelrarion
At the end of a long journey
Over bumps
Assending hills
Descending hills
Cornering
Does it fail often

Does your car have Aircon
Does you car have 2 speed radiator fan

 

[pavproch]

If it occurs, it occurs randomly, over the years I have not found any pattern to its appeareance. The only exception - if I go (all time) really full throttle/redline = it never occurs. Yesterday it appeared again (this time at deceleartion around 3k rpm) , despite low oil. This is really frustrating.

 

[shera2025]

Fiat Panda 1.2i (44kW) 4x4 Climbing MR2006, act. odo approx. 195k km
VIN: ZFA 16900000622218

Hello everyone,

Searching for advice/clues what and when... The P1220 error (throttle signal implausible) started occuring (rarely) around 2009 (ie. „almost“ new car), thru the years gotten more often occuring/annoying (my diagnostics alway showing P1220 ONLY, no other faults, easily erasible).

All related components (ie. Throttle itself, incl. Sensoring, gas pedal etc.) replaced with new ones, no effects.

Throughout the years I happened to come to following realisation: During each (regular á 15kkm) service the oil (Selenia 20k) always filled acc. to manual = 2,8l, causing frequent P1220 error occurence. But, if/when I suck off approx. 0,2 to 0,3l of oil (ie. to the lowest level at its measuring rod), it (P1220) will NEVER occur ?!?!?

Even though I am an mechanical engineer myself, this is wtf NOT undestandable for me, how it is possible to happen (to be related)?!? Upon EPER this engine in Panda does NOT have a crankcase oil breathing valve (unlike the same engine in Punto).

Many thanks in advance for clearing this for me.
-pp-

Hey, that’s an interesting one! From what you’re describing, it does sound like the overfilled oil is somehow affecting the throttle signal maybe causing extra crankcase pressure or oil foaming that the ECU interprets as an implausible signal. Even without a dedicated breather valve, small changes in oil level can create subtle hydraulic or vacuum effects in these small engines. If reducing 0.2–0.3 L of oil consistently stops the P1220, it’s probably the easiest “fix” to stick with, even if it’s a bit counterintuitive. Would be interesting to see if anyone else has experienced the same with a Panda 1.2i it seems like a very specific quirk!