Fault codes are the last thing any Can Am owner wants to see on the dash display of their vehicle, but they do come with the territory of owning a UTV or ATV.
One of the most common is the PPS fault, which happens most often in the Can Am Defender but can also occur in the:
The Can Am PPS fault code almost always signals a low voltage condition and points to an issue with your vehicle’s battery, battery terminals, or battery cables. On rare occasions, it can also be caused by the vehicle’s throttle harness, stator, pressure and temp sensor, or foot pedal going bad.
When experiencing this fault code, there are a number of questions that may run through your head.
- What does this code mean?
- How serious is it?
- What caused this code?
- Why won’t my vehicle start?
- How do I fix it?
This guide will answer these questions and point you in the right direction of overcoming this fault code and fixing your vehicle.
PPS Fault Meaning
The PPS in this fault code stands for Pedal Position Sensor, and is most often caused by a low battery.
This code will be accompanied by your vehicle not starting and the PPS FAULT flashing across the dash display. You’ll likely hear clicking but the engine will not fire.
It happens most often when going to start your vehicle up, but is also known to occur while out for a drive.
If it occurs while out for a drive, your vehicle will suddenly lose voltage and shut down, which may be accompanied by a backfire. You may or may not be able to start it back up.
How Serious Is It?
The majority of the time, the PPS fault signifies an issue with your battery that can be resolved rather easily.
However, there are occasions when the PPS fault points to a failure somewhere else and will result in the faulty part needing to be replaced.
The good news is that most of the time in this scenario, the faulty part is simple and inexpensive to replace.
And while it can be tough to narrow down which part is at fault, I’ll point you in the right direction further along in this guide.
PPS Fault Most Likely Cause
As mentioned, the most likely cause of a Can Am PPS fault is the battery. It could be any of the following:
- Battery terminals are corroded
- Battery cables are loose
- Weak or dead battery
Battery Terminals
The battery terminals are a good first place to start if experiencing this fault code.
They have a tendency to corrode or become clogged with debris over time, so inspect them to ensure this is not the case. Even if they don’t appear to need it, give the terminals a good cleaning.
You can also apply dielectric grease or petroleum jelly to the terminals, which helps to prolong their lifespan.
Battery Cables
Next, check the battery cables to ensure they fit tightly to the battery terminals.
The battery cables are known to come straight from the factory not quite tightened to the terminals enough. They also have a tendency to vibrate loose from the terminals while riding.
Even if they seem to fit tight, a best practice in alleviating the PPS fault code is to loosen them and then fully retighten them again.
Many times, ensuring the battery terminals and battery cables are working properly will be enough to overcome the PPS fault and no-start issue.
Weak Or Dead Battery
If you’re getting a PPS code, there’s a good chance your vehicle’s battery is dead or not strong enough to start the engine.
You can check your battery voltage on the dash. Any voltage reading under 11.5 volts is not usually enough to start the engine and will trigger the fault code.
Your battery may still be in perfectly good shape, it might just be drained and in need of a recharge.
The battery can drain for a few of different reasons:
- Loose battery connections
- Electronic accessories
Loose Battery Connections
As discussed earlier, a loose battery connection may be the reason your vehicle is showing a PPS fault and not starting.
Even if your vehicle starts with a loose connection, it can eventually drain the battery as it will not fully recharge after use.
Electronic Accessories
Aftermarket accessories such as a light bar or sound bar that are supported by the battery can also deplete the battery while the machine is off.
Any accessories should be wired to the ignition or to a kill switch to ensure they can be completely shut off while the vehicle is not on to prevent this.
Other Causes Of A Can Am PPS Fault
Ensuring the battery terminals and battery cables are functioning properly and that your battery is getting the correct voltage will correct the PPS fault nine times out of ten.
But some may find that even after doing this and even replacing the battery, their vehicle still shows a PPS fault code.
If ruling out the battery as the cause of the PPS fault, your vehicle may be suffering from one of the following:
- A faulty throttle harness – simply replacing it should do the trick.
- The stator may have gone bad – will need to be replaced if so.
- The Pressure & Temp Sensor located on the intake tubes may have gone bad – this can be tested by unplugging it and plugging it back in to see if the fault code disappears. If not, it should be replaced.
- The foot pedal or foot pedal sensor may have gone bad and needs replacing.
All of the symptoms above should be covered under warranty.
Conclusion
While a PPS fault in a Can Am can be worrisome, most of the time some simple troubleshooting of the battery and its components will be enough to overcome it.
Before you go, check out these similar articles on Can Am UTVs:
