P06A5
Sensor Reference Voltage D Circuit High
Sensor reference voltage / ECM
Generic OBD-II
High
What it means
P06A5 means the engine computer's "D" 5-volt sensor reference circuit is reading high. This reference powers a group of sensors — throttle, pressure, and position sensors and similar. When it reads out of range, those sensors can report bad data, so the engine may run poorly, set several sensor codes, or enter a reduced-power limp mode.
High
Can I keep driving? Depends — several sensors share this reference, so the engine may run poorly or drop into limp mode; drive gently and get it diagnosed.
Common symptoms
What you'll notice
- Check-engine light on, often with several sensor codes at once
- Poor running, hesitation, or reduced-power limp mode
- Erratic gauge or sensor readings
- Stalling in some cases
Common causes
Most likely first
- Short to voltage on the reference D circuit wiringLikely
- A shorted sensor pulling the shared reference highCommon
- Chafed harness contacting a power wireCommon
- Failed ECM/PCM reference supplyLess often
How to diagnose & fix
Work through it in order
- Scan for all codes; note which sensors share reference D.
- Inspect the reference wiring for a short to battery or ignition voltage.
- Unplug sensors on that circuit one at a time to find a shorted sensor.
- If wiring and sensors are good, suspect the module's reference supply. Clear and re-test.
FAQ
Quick answers
Is it safe to drive with P06A5?+
Not ideal — a bad sensor reference can make the engine run rough or drop into limp mode unexpectedly. Drive gently and get it diagnosed soon.
Can I just clear P06A5?+
It returns while the short is present; clearing won't restore the sensors' reference voltage.
Related codes
Often seen with P06A5
Read & clear P06A5 yourself
Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.
✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX