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P0246: Turbo wastegate solenoid A: high signal

The ECU sees a voltage that is too high on the turbo wastegate solenoid circuit, usually an open circuit, a loose plug or the solenoid itself.

Code P0246 at a glance
CodeP0246
SystemEngine and transmission
GroupP02xx, Fuel and injectors
TypeGeneric: it means the same on every make
Can you keep driving?With care

What P0246 means

The wastegate lets some exhaust gas bypass the turbo so boost does not rise too far, and a solenoid controlled by the ECU decides how far it opens. Which solenoid counts as A is defined by each manufacturer. It has measured a voltage on the circuit that is higher than expected, which usually means a broken wire, a loose connector or a burnt out coil.

Most common causes

  • Solenoid connector unplugged or loose
  • Control wire broken by chafing or heat
  • Solenoid coil open (burnt out)
  • Control wire touching a live wire
  • Faulty engine ECU, which is rare

Symptoms

  • Engine warning light on
  • Loss of power or limp mode
  • Turbo pulls weakly, or sometimes too hard
  • Uneven response when accelerating

Can you drive with P0246?

With care You can drive gently, but boost is no longer properly controlled and the engine will often limit power. Get it checked soon.

How to check it

With the engine off, check that the solenoid connector is firmly in place and its small vacuum hoses are not split. Many readers can show the duty cycle the ECU is requesting alongside actual boost pressure.

How to read and clear P0246 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 P0246 with this same explanation and whether it’s confirmed, pending or permanent.

With Free you read this code with its short description for nothing, and clear it if the engine stores it over standard OBD. With Pro you get the full explanation, how the car was running when it was logged (revs, temperature, load) and clearing in every control unit.

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 the ITV. It’s all in how to read and clear fault codes and in the ITV and OBD.

Similar codes

P0246 is a generic code, so it means the same on any make, for example on Alfa Romeo, Dacia, Kia, Nissan, Opel / Vauxhall, Škoda. See what Final OBD does on your car in makes and models.

What does code P0246 mean?

The wastegate lets some exhaust gas bypass the turbo so boost does not rise too far, and a solenoid controlled by the ECU decides how far it opens. Which solenoid counts as A is defined by each manufacturer. It has measured a voltage on the circuit that is higher than expected, which usually means a broken wire, a loose connector or a burnt out coil.

Can you drive with P0246?

You can drive gently, but boost is no longer properly controlled and the engine will often limit power. Get it checked soon.

How do you clear P0246?

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, P0246 comes back.