Skip to content
Skanyx

P0047: Turbocharger/Supercharger Boost Control "A" Circuit Low

Quick Answer

Not safe to drive

P0047 means the engine computer has found a voltage on the control circuit of boost control device "A" that is lower than it should be. That device is usually the boost pressure control solenoid that feeds vacuum to the turbo actuator, or on some engines an electronic turbo or wastegate actuator. A low reading usually points to a wire shorted to ground, a missing supply or a solenoid coil that has shorted, rather than to the turbo itself. With the control circuit faulty, the engine computer normally limits boost and power.

Severity
Moderate · Fuel System

Scan your own car in about 60 seconds: see whether P0047 is really what it has, how urgent it is, and what the fix should cost. Free on iPhone and Android with an ELM327 adapter (Bluetooth LE on iPhone).

Get Skanyx free

What does P0047 mean?

P0047 is a fuel system-related diagnostic trouble code classified as moderate severity. When your vehicle's ECU detects this condition, it stores P0047 and illuminates the check engine light.

Where it is on the car

  1. Air filter
  2. Turbocharger
  3. Wastegate or boost control actuator
  4. Intercooler
  5. Boost pressure sensor
  6. Throttle, intake manifold and engine

What are the symptoms of P0047?

If your vehicle has triggered P0047, you may notice one or more of these symptoms:

  • Check engine light on, often with a reduced power message
  • Limp mode with power capped, especially under load
  • Flat, slow acceleration because boost no longer builds
  • Black smoke under acceleration on some diesels
  • Code returning straight after clearing, often as soon as the engine starts

What causes P0047?

Here are the most common causes of P0047:

  • Control wire to the boost control solenoid or actuator chafed and shorted to ground

    : high

  • Failed boost control solenoid with a shorted coil

    : high

  • Corroded, wet or damaged connector at the solenoid or actuator

    : medium

  • Failed electronic turbo or wastegate actuator, on engines that use one

    : medium

  • Blown fuse or broken supply wire to the solenoid

    : low

  • Engine computer output fault (rare)

    : low

Is it safe to drive with P0047?

No - address this immediately. Drive gently and only as far as a workshop. Most engines go into limp mode with this code because the engine computer can no longer control boost properly, and power can drop suddenly under load. Avoid motorway merging, overtaking and towing until the fault is repaired.

How do you diagnose P0047?

Follow these steps to pinpoint the root cause of P0047:

  1. Read all stored codes and the freeze frame. P0299 stored alongside shows that boost really dropped while the circuit was faulty. A generic OBD2 reader shows the codes, the freeze frame and boost or MAP readings where the engine computer reports them.
  2. Find out what boost control device "A" is on your engine: on many diesels and older turbo petrols it is a vacuum solenoid mounted near the turbo or on the bulkhead, and on many newer engines it is an electronic actuator on the turbo itself. Check the workshop information for your engine code.
  3. Unplug the connector and inspect it for corrosion, water and pushed-back pins. Check the fuse for the solenoid supply.
  4. Measure the solenoid coil resistance and compare it with the specification for your engine. A reading near zero means a shorted coil.
  5. With the ignition on, check the supply at the connector, then check the control wire back to the engine computer for a short to ground, especially where the harness passes hot or sharp metal.
  6. Repair the wiring or replace the solenoid or actuator. Commanding the solenoid or sweeping an electronic actuator to test it, and adapting a new electronic actuator, need manufacturer-level software; a generic OBD2 reader cannot do this. Clear the code and road-test under load.

How much does P0047 cost to fix?

Repair costs for P0047 vary depending on the root cause and your vehicle. Here are typical estimates:

Repair Parts Cost Labor Cost Total Estimate DIY Difficulty
Clean and reseat solenoid or actuator connector €0–€10 €0–€40 €0–€50 Easy
Repair solenoid or actuator wiring or connector €10–€40 €60–€180 €70–€220 Moderate
Replace boost control solenoid €20–€80 €30–€90 €50–€170 Easy
Replace electronic turbo or wastegate actuator €60–€250 €80–€250 €140–€500 Professional

Prices estimated as of March 2026. Costs vary by region, vehicle, and shop.

These codes are often seen alongside P0047 or indicate related issues:

Common questions about P0047

What does P0047 mean?
P0047 means the control circuit of boost control device "A", usually the boost pressure control solenoid or an electronic turbo actuator, is reading a lower voltage than it should. It is an electrical fault in that circuit, most often a wire shorted to ground, a missing supply or a failed solenoid coil.
Is P0047 a bad turbo?
Usually not. P0047 is about the electrical circuit that controls the turbo, not the turbo itself. The usual fix is a wiring or connector repair or a new solenoid. On engines with an electronic actuator on the turbo, the actuator may need replacing, but the turbo itself is rarely the cause.
Can I drive with P0047?
Only gently and only to a workshop. Most engines go into limp mode and cut boost, so acceleration is slow and power can drop under load. Avoid motorways, overtaking and towing until it is fixed.
What is the difference between P0047 and P0048?
Both are electrical faults in the boost control circuit. P0047 means the voltage is too low, usually a short to ground or a shorted solenoid coil. P0048 means it is too high, usually an open circuit, an unplugged connector or a short to voltage. P0046 is different: the circuit works but boost does not follow the command.
How much does it cost to fix P0047?
Cleaning and reseating the connector costs nothing to 50 euros. A wiring or connector repair runs 70 to 220 euros, mostly fault-finding time, and a new boost control solenoid 50 to 170 euros fitted. On engines with an electronic turbo or wastegate actuator, a new actuator costs 140 to 500 euros.

Read our detailed guides

Scan your car with Skanyx to diagnose P0047

Your car logged P0047. Skanyx reads it on a standard OBD2 adapter (Bluetooth LE on iPhone), tells you whether it is safe to keep driving, and breaks down the likely repair so you know the number before a shop quotes you. Free on iPhone and Android, and you do not need to be a mechanic to read it.

Get Skanyx free

Get the newsletter

New fault-code guides, real repair-cost data and seasonal car-care tips. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We only email about car diagnostics content. Privacy Policy