P0046 means Turbocharger/Supercharger Boost Control A Circuit Range/Performance. The boost control circuit, the solenoid or actuator that moves the wastegate or turbo vanes, is not performing as expected. It is a generic OBD-II code, so the definition is the same on any make, but the most likely cause varies by engine; confirm with a scan tool and the service information for your vehicle before buying parts.
What P0046 means
Modern engines measure boost and fuel rail pressure and compare them with a desired value calculated from engine speed, load and throttle. When actual pressure falls short of desired for long enough, the computer sets a code and often reduces power to protect the engine. Watching desired and actual values side by side on a scan tool shows whether the shortfall is constant or only appears under load.
P0046 symptoms
- Loss of power
- Reduced-power mode
- Boost too high or too low
Common causes of P0046
- Faulty boost control solenoid or electronic actuator
- Wiring or connector problems
- Sticking wastegate or vanes
How to diagnose P0046
- Inspect the actuator wiring and connector
- Command the actuator with a scan tool and watch it move
- Check for sticking vanes or a seized wastegate
Can you drive with P0046?
Gently; repair soon.
P0046 tips
Electronic turbo actuators often need a calibration or learn procedure after replacement. If the actuator moves freely on its own but the vanes or wastegate do not, the turbo mechanism is sticking, not the actuator.
Will P0046 clear itself?
If the fault stops, the computer turns off the check engine light by itself after several drive cycles without seeing it again, and the code stays in memory as history for a while. Clearing P0046 with a scan tool after a repair is fine, but if the cause is still there the code returns, sometimes within one drive. Disconnecting the battery also clears codes on most vehicles, but it erases learned fuel trims and idle settings as well.
Related codes
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| P0299 | Turbocharger/Supercharger A Underboost Condition |
| P0234 | Turbocharger/Supercharger A Overboost Condition |
| P2563 | Turbocharger Boost Control Position Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance |
Guides that help
When it is more than a sensor
Our superchargers page lists supercharger kits, and diesel owners can read the 6.7 Cummins turbo guide. If a failed turbo or fuel pump has damaged the engine, compare engines by code on our engines page.
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