P0246 means Turbocharger/Supercharger Wastegate Solenoid A High. The wastegate control solenoid A circuit is reading high voltage, usually an open circuit or unplugged solenoid. 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 P0246 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.
P0246 symptoms
- Low power or limp mode
- Boost too high or too low
- Hesitation under load
- Check engine light, sometimes with P0299 or P0234
Common causes of P0246
- Unplugged or open solenoid
- Broken wire
- Corroded connector pins
- Blown fuse feeding the solenoid
- Wiring or connector fault
How to diagnose P0246
- Check hoses between the solenoid, wastegate actuator and boost source
- Measure solenoid resistance
- Command the solenoid with a scan tool and watch boost
- Check the wastegate moves freely
Can you drive with P0246?
Carefully; overboost can damage the engine and underboost cuts power.
P0246 tips
Check that the solenoid connector is latched after any turbo or intake work, and check the fuse and power feed to the solenoid before condemning the part.
Will P0246 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 P0246 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 |
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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