P2033: Exhaust gas temperature sensor circuit high (bank 1, sensor 2)
The ECU receives too high a voltage from the exhaust gas temperature sensor. It is almost always wiring, a connector or the sensor.
| Code | P2033 |
|---|---|
| System | Engine and transmission |
| Group | P20xx, Emissions: catalysts and AdBlue |
| Type | Generic: it means the same on every make |
| Can you keep driving? | With care |
What P2033 means
The exhaust gas temperature sensor watches exhaust heat to protect the turbo, catalyst or particulate filter, and to manage regenerations on diesels. The sensor voltage is above what is possible, so the ECU treats it as false. It is an electrical problem rather than a genuinely abnormal temperature. Sensor 2 is the second one counting from the engine; exhaust temperature sensors are numbered by their order along the pipe, and exactly where each sits (before or after the catalyst or filter) is up to each manufacturer.
Most common causes
- Sensor connector unplugged or with open pins
- Sensor wire broken or burnt by heat
- Signal wire touching a positive feed
- Failed exhaust gas temperature sensor
- Engine ECU fault (rare)
Symptoms
- Engine warning light on
- Particulate filter regenerations may stop taking place
- Possible loss of power or limp mode
Can you drive with P2033?
With care You can drive with care, but without this reading the engine may limit power or skip particulate filter regenerations, leading to a clogged filter. Get it fixed soon.
Open the bonnetthe in-depth explanation
How to check it
With a cold engine, check this sensor’s temperature on live data: it should read close to the outside temperature. An impossible value (very low or extremely high) confirms an electrical fault, so inspect the connector and the wire along the exhaust.
How to read and clear P2033 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 P2033 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
- P202F The AdBlue supply control circuit operates outside its range
- P2030 The fuel fired auxiliary heater is not working as expected
- P2031 Exhaust gas temperature sensor circuit fault (bank 1, sensor 2)
- P2032 Exhaust gas temperature sensor circuit low (bank 1, sensor 2)
- P2034 The exhaust gas temperature sensor (bank 2, sensor 2) has an electrical fault
- P2035 The exhaust gas temperature sensor (bank 2
- P2036 The exhaust gas temperature sensor (bank 2
- P2037 The AdBlue injection air pressure sensor A has an electrical fault
- P2002 Diesel particulate filter efficiency below threshold (bank 1)
- P2003 Diesel particulate filter efficiency below threshold (bank 2)
- P2004 Intake manifold runner control stuck open (bank 1)
- P2005 Intake manifold runner control stuck open (bank 2)
What does code P2033 mean?
The exhaust gas temperature sensor watches exhaust heat to protect the turbo, catalyst or particulate filter, and to manage regenerations on diesels. The sensor voltage is above what is possible, so the ECU treats it as false. It is an electrical problem rather than a genuinely abnormal temperature. Sensor 2 is the second one counting from the engine; exhaust temperature sensors are numbered by their order along the pipe, and exactly where each sits (before or after the catalyst or filter) is up to each manufacturer.
Can you drive with P2033?
You can drive with care, but without this reading the engine may limit power or skip particulate filter regenerations, leading to a clogged filter. Get it fixed soon.
How do you clear P2033?
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, P2033 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.
