P246E
Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor Circuit Bank 1 Sensor 4
Auxiliary emissions (exhaust temperature)
Generic OBD-II
Low
What it means
P246E means the ECM sees an electrical fault in the circuit for exhaust gas temperature (EGT) sensor 4 on bank 1. This sensor reports exhaust temperature so the ECM can protect the catalyst or particulate filter and manage regeneration. The engine keeps running normally — the concern is emissions control and, on diesels, proper DPF operation.
Low
Can I keep driving? Yes — the car drives normally; this is an exhaust-temperature sensor fault, not a running problem.
Common symptoms
What you'll notice
- Check-engine light on
- Usually no change in how the car drives
- Possible disruption to DPF regeneration on diesels
- May fail an emissions/readiness test
Common causes
Most likely first
- Faulty exhaust gas temperature (EGT) sensor 4 on bank 1Likely
- Open or shorted wiring in the sensor circuitCommon
- Corroded or loose sensor connectorCommon
- Heat-damaged wiring near the exhaustLess often
- Faulty ECM/PCM input (least likely)Less often
How to diagnose & fix
Work through it in order
- Read freeze-frame data and confirm the code is current.
- Locate EGT sensor 4 on bank 1 and inspect the connector and pigtail for heat damage or corrosion.
- Check the sensor circuit for continuity, shorts to ground, and shorts to power.
- Measure the sensor's resistance and compare to spec; replace it if out of range.
- Clear the code and re-drive; if it returns with wiring good, replace the sensor.
FAQ
Quick answers
Is it safe to drive with P246E?+
Yes for normal driving. The sensor monitors exhaust temperature for emissions control, so fix it to keep the system accurate and stay emissions-legal.
Can I just clear P246E?+
You can, but a bad sensor or open circuit will set it again. Repair the sensor or wiring first.
Related codes
Often seen with P246E
Read & clear P246E 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