Accelerator Pedal Sensor

The 7.3L diesel engine does not use an accelerator cable. Instead, the 7.3L diesel engine uses an accelerator sensor assembly located on the accelerator pedal assembly. This drive by wire system is entirely electronic, and except for the accelerator pedal assembly, does not use mechanically moving parts. The accelerator sensor assembly is not adjustable.

Accelerator Pedal Sensor

The Accelerator Pedal (AP) sensor provides the PCM with the driver's demand for power. The AP sensor is a three-wire potentiometer that receives VREF from the PCM and returns a signal to the PCM directly proportional to the accelerator pedal position. The AP signal is used in calculating fuel quantity. Also, the AP input is used by the PCM to control the exhaust back-pressure regulator (EBP system is not used on F- Series 650/750).


A PCM detected fault of the AP sensor will illuminate the Malfunction Indicator Lamp in the instrument cluster. An AP signal that is detected out of range, high or low, will cause the PCM to only allow the engine to operate at low idle.