What does P1588 mean on a Ford?

P1588. Throttle Control Unit Detected Loss of Return Spring. Applies to Contour, Mystique, early electronic-throttle Fords.

What causes P1588 on a Ford?

Broken throttle return spring Binding throttle shaft mimicking spring loss Carbon-locked throttle plate Failed spring position sensing TCU fault

How do I fix P1588 on a Ford?

Check throttle snap-back with the engine off Clean carbon from the bore Inspect the return spring Verify shaft freedom Replace the throttle assembly if the spring has failed

Code

P1588

Throttle Control Unit Detected Loss of Return Spring

Category: Powertrain - Computer and Auxiliary Controls
Severity: Check Engine Light
Applies to: Contour, Mystique, early electronic-throttle Fords
Related: No single generic twin. See OBD Codes List

Findings, check these first

Broken throttle return spring
Binding throttle shaft mimicking spring loss
Carbon-locked throttle plate
Failed spring position sensing
TCU fault

Standard procedure

Check throttle snap-back with the engine off
Clean carbon from the bore
Inspect the return spring
Verify shaft freedom
Replace the throttle assembly if the spring has failed

Code lookup

Type a code above, or start from a symptom or a common code.

Press / to jump to the box. Ford-enhanced powertrain, body, chassis and network codes. Generic P0xxx codes live on OBD Codes List.

Sources and review

Review: checked against the recorded source material.

OBDII.pro: P1588 Ford definition
live reference page (obdii.pro)
Supports: Ford-family meaning for P1588: Throttle Control Unit Detected Loss of Return Spring
Fetched directly. obdii.pro is a publisher independent of the engine-codes family.
P1588 FORD Code: Meaning, Causes, and Symptoms | OBD2 Codes
live reference page (obd2-codes.co)
Supports: Ford meaning for P1588: Throttle Control Unit Detected Loss of Return Spring
Fetched directly. obd2-codes.co phrasing matches the engine-codes family, so it counts as one publisher.

Last updated 2026-09-06.

Report a correction for P1588. Include your vehicle, the issue and a source if you have one.