P0048: Boost control solenoid: circuit high
The ECU sees too high a voltage in the turbo boost solenoid circuit; usually a wire, the connector or the solenoid itself.
| Code | P0048 |
|---|---|
| System | Engine and transmission |
| Group | P00xx, Air, fuel and emissions |
| Type | Generic: it means the same on every make |
| Can you keep driving? | With care |
What P0048 means
On turbocharged or supercharged engines, an ECU-controlled solenoid sets how much boost is produced, by acting on the wastegate or on the variable geometry vanes. This code means the ECU sees a voltage in that solenoid circuit above what should be possible, nearly always from an electrical fault. The engine usually goes into limp mode and cuts power.
Most common causes
- Damp connector or bridged terminals
- Bare wire touching a positive feed
- Damaged solenoid coil
- ECU fault (uncommon)
Symptoms
- Engine warning light on
- Clear loss of power (limp mode)
- Little or no turbo boost
- Sluggish acceleration
Can you drive with P0048?
With care You can drive, but with less power than normal, so take care when overtaking or joining fast roads. Have it looked at soon.
Open the bonnetthe in-depth explanation
How to check it
Find the solenoid (usually in the engine bay, with thin vacuum or pressure pipes) and check its connector and pipes. With a scan tool, watch desired and actual boost pressure in live data while accelerating.
How to read and clear P0048 with Final OBD
Plug an OBD2 scanner in under the steering wheel, switch the ignition on and open Final OBD. Under Faults you’ll see P0048 with its description and whether it’s confirmed, pending or permanent.
If the engine stores it over standard OBD, with FREE you read this code with its explanation for nothing and clear it. With PRO you also read the faults of every control unit and clear them in all of them.
Clearing the code only turns the light off: if the cause is still there, it comes back. Clear it once it’s fixed, and not right before an inspection. It’s all in how to read and clear fault codes and in inspections and OBD.
Similar codes
- P0044 The lambda sensor heater control (bank 1
- P0045 Boost control solenoid: open circuit
- P0046 Boost control solenoid: range or performance
- P0047 Boost control solenoid: circuit low
- P0049 Turbocharger or supercharger turbine overspeed
- P004A The turbocharger boost control B has a broken or disconnected wire
- P004B The turbocharger boost control B gives readings outside the normal range
- P004C The turbocharger boost control B gives a lower signal than normal
- P0010 Camshaft A actuator control: open circuit (bank 1)
- P0011 Camshaft A timing over-advanced (bank 1)
- P0012 Camshaft A timing over-retarded (bank 1)
- P0013 Camshaft B actuator control: open circuit (bank 1)
What does code P0048 mean?
On turbocharged or supercharged engines, an ECU-controlled solenoid sets how much boost is produced, by acting on the wastegate or on the variable geometry vanes. This code means the ECU sees a voltage in that solenoid circuit above what should be possible, nearly always from an electrical fault. The engine usually goes into limp mode and cuts power.
Can you drive with P0048?
You can drive, but with less power than normal, so take care when overtaking or joining fast roads. Have it looked at soon.
How do you clear P0048?
With an OBD2 scanner and an app like Final OBD, which clears it for free if it’s stored by the engine control unit. But clearing it only turns the light off: if the cause isn’t fixed, P0048 comes back.
Read it on your car
Final OBD reads and clears engine faults through standard OBD for free, each one explained in plain English. With PRO it also reads the faults of every control unit, each make’s own codes included, and clears them in all of them.
