P2033: Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor Circuit High (Bank 1 Sensor 2)
Quick Answer
Safe to drive (short-term)
P2033 means the engine computer sees the signal from the exhaust gas temperature (EGT) sensor labelled bank 1 sensor 2 as higher than its normal range. Diesels carry several EGT sensors to protect the catalyst and to control particulate filter regeneration. On many diesels sensor 2 sits near the oxidation catalyst or the filter inlet, but the numbering differs by make, so confirm it in workshop data. On these sensors a high signal is most often a broken wire, a bad connector or a dead sensor, which makes the circuit read as open, rather than a real overheating. P2031 is the general circuit code and P2032 the low signal code for the same sensor.
- Severity
- Moderate · Emissions
- Estimated repair cost
- From €40 to €220+, varies by vehicle
€40 or €220, depending on your car.
- Reset the filter's learned values after the repair (manufacturer-level software)€40–€120
- Repair sensor wiring or connector€65–€220
A scan shows whether P2033 is really stored on your car, which codes sit next to it and how urgent each one is.
A scan needs a Bluetooth OBD2 adapter (Bluetooth LE on iPhone), about €25-60; the built-in demo runs without one. See which adapter to buy
What does P2033 mean?
P2033 is a emissions-related diagnostic trouble code classified as moderate severity.
What are the symptoms of P2033?
- Check engine light on
- Often no change in how the car drives
- DPF warning light or regenerations that do not complete on some cars
- Reduced power on some cars
- Higher fuel use if the car keeps trying to regenerate
- Other exhaust temperature or DPF codes stored at the same time
What causes P2033?
Burnt, chafed or broken wiring to the sensor, close to the hot exhaust
: high
Corroded, loose or heat-damaged connector at the sensor
: high
Failed exhaust gas temperature sensor reading as an open circuit
: high
Wiring short to a supply voltage in the harness
: low
Wrong sensor or wrong position fitted in an earlier repair
: low
Engine computer fault
: low
Is it safe to drive with P2033?
Generally yes, for short-term driving. Driveable in the short term, and the car often feels normal at first. Do not leave it for weeks: the engine computer uses exhaust temperature to protect the catalyst and to run particulate filter regeneration, so without a trustworthy signal it may limit power or suspend regenerations, and a filter that goes too long without one can block. If a DPF warning light, reduced power or limp mode appears, stop sooner and have the sensor circuit checked.
How do you diagnose P2033?
- Read all stored codes and the freeze frame. Note any other exhaust temperature codes such as P2031 or P2032, and any DPF or regeneration codes such as P2463. A generic OBD2 reader shows the codes, the freeze frame and standard live data. Some diesels show exhaust temperature there, but most cars do not, and a reader cannot show the soot load or run a forced regeneration: those need manufacturer-level software.
- Find out which sensor the car means by sensor 2. Numbering differs between makes, and some diesels, such as the 2009 to 2014 VW 2.0 TDI, have four EGT sensors in the exhaust, so check the workshop data for your engine.
- Inspect the wiring from the connector to the sensor and the connector itself, especially near the exhaust. Look for burnt or chafed insulation, a melted or corroded plug, and wires that have been repaired before.
- With the ignition off, unplug the sensor and check its resistance against the specification, and check the harness for an open circuit or a short. A signal stuck near the top of its range that does not change as the exhaust warms up points to an open circuit or a dead sensor.
- Repair the wiring or replace the sensor with the correct type for that position. A sensor that has seized in the exhaust can add time to the job.
- Clear the code and check the filter's soot load with manufacturer-level software, because the filter may have loaded up while regeneration was not being controlled properly. Run a forced regeneration if the software allows it.
- Road-test and confirm the temperature readings now follow the exhaust as it warms up and that the code does not return.
How much does P2033 cost to fix?
| Repair | Parts Cost | Labor Cost | Total Estimate | DIY Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Repair sensor wiring or connector | €5–€40 | €60–€180 | €65–€220 | Moderate |
| Replace exhaust gas temperature sensor | €25–€100 | €40–€120 | €65–€220 | Moderate |
| Reset the filter's learned values after the repair (manufacturer-level software) | €0–€0 | €40–€120 | €40–€120 | Professional |
| Forced DPF regeneration, if soot built up while the sensor was out (diagnostic tool) | €0–€0 | €60–€150 | €60–€150 | Professional |
Prices estimated as of October 2026. Costs vary by region, vehicle, and shop.
P2033 on specific vehicles
P2033 on Volkswagen
Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI (CBEA, CJAA)
P2033 on Ford
Ford S-Max 2.0 TDCi
Related diagnostic codes
Common questions about P2033
- What does P2033 mean?
- P2033 means the exhaust gas temperature sensor labelled bank 1 sensor 2 is sending a signal higher than its normal range. On a diesel that sensor usually sits near the oxidation catalyst and the particulate filter. A high signal on these sensors most often means an open circuit, such as a broken wire, a bad connector or a dead sensor, not that the exhaust is really that hot.
- Can I drive with P2033?
- For a short time, yes, but do not leave it for weeks. The computer uses exhaust temperature to protect the catalyst and to run particulate filter regeneration, so with a dead sensor it may limit power or suspend regenerations and the filter can load up with soot. If a DPF warning light, reduced power or limp mode appears, stop sooner and have the car checked.
- Do I need a new DPF for P2033?
- Not usually. P2033 is a sensor circuit code, and the repair is normally the wiring, the connector or the sensor. The filter only needs attention if it loaded up with soot while the sensor was not working, and then a forced regeneration is the first step, not a new filter.
- Where is the bank 1 sensor 2 exhaust temperature sensor?
- It depends on the make and engine. On many diesels it sits near the oxidation catalyst or at the particulate filter inlet. Numbering differs between makes, and some engines have four exhaust temperature sensors, so look it up in the workshop data for your engine before buying a part.
- How much does it cost to fix P2033?
- A wiring or connector repair costs about 65 to 220 EUR and a new exhaust temperature sensor 65 to 220 EUR fitted. If the filter loaded up in the meantime, a forced regeneration costs about 60 to 150 EUR. A new filter is rarely the answer to this code.
- Can a cheap OBD2 reader fix P2033?
- It can read and clear the code and show the freeze frame. On most cars it cannot show the soot load or run a forced regeneration, and it cannot reset the filter's learned values after the repair. Those need manufacturer-level software. Clearing the code without finding the open circuit only brings it back.
Read our detailed guides
Sources
- idpartsblog.com idpartsblog.com/2025/04/21/2-0l-cbea-cjaa-tdi-oxygen-egt-sensor-guide/
- forum.forscan.org forum.forscan.org/viewtopic.php?p=5222
- en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_S-Max