Can I drive with P246F?

Usually yes in the short term, and many cars feel normal at first. Do not leave it for weeks, though: while the sensor reading is untrusted, the engine computer may stop regenerating the particulate filter, and some cars reduce power. A filter that goes too long without regenerating can block and cost far more than the sensor.

Which sensor is exhaust gas temperature sensor 4?

It depends on the engine. Some diesels have four exhaust temperature sensors, numbered from the engine backwards, and sensor 4 is then the one furthest down the exhaust, around or after the particulate filter. The numbering is set by each manufacturer, so check the workshop information for your engine before buying a sensor.

How much does it cost to fix P246F?

A replacement exhaust gas temperature sensor usually costs 65 to 220 EUR fitted. A connector repair is typically 70 to 240 EUR and a damaged wiring section 140 to 470 EUR. If the filter has loaded up while the sensor was faulty, a forced regeneration adds 60 to 150 EUR.

Can a cheap OBD2 reader fix P246F?

It can read and clear the code and show the freeze frame. On most cars it cannot show the individual exhaust temperature readings or run a forced regeneration; those need manufacturer-level software. If the sensor or its wiring is still faulty, the code comes back after clearing.

P246F: Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor Circuit Range/Performance (Bank 1 Sensor 4)

Quick Answer

Safe to drive (short-term)

P246F means the engine computer has found that the signal from exhaust gas temperature sensor 4 on bank 1 does not make sense: it is out of the expected range, or it disagrees with the other exhaust temperature sensors. Diesels use these sensors to protect the turbocharger and to control particulate filter regeneration, and sensor 4 is often the one furthest along the exhaust, around or after the particulate filter, although the numbering is set by each manufacturer. The usual causes are a failed sensor, a damaged wire or connector, or an exhaust leak near the sensor. This is not an AdBlue code: AdBlue and SCR faults set different codes.

Severity: Moderate · Emissions
Estimated repair cost: From €60 to €470+, varies by vehicle

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What does P246F mean?

P246F is a emissions-related diagnostic trouble code classified as moderate severity. When your vehicle's ECU detects this condition, it stores P246F and illuminates the check engine light.

Where it is on the car

Exhaust temperature sensors
Oxidation catalyst (DOC)
Diesel particulate filter (DPF)
DPF pressure sensor and its two tubes
AdBlue line and injector
SCR catalyst

Sensor 1 is the one nearest the engine; higher numbers sit further down the exhaust. Your car may have up to four.

What are the symptoms of P246F?

If your vehicle has triggered P246F, you may notice one or more of these symptoms:

Check engine light on
Often no change in how the car drives at first
DPF warning light, or the glow plug light on on some diesels
Reduced power or limp mode on some models
Particulate filter regeneration not taking place, so the filter loads up over time
P246E, P2470 or P2471 (other faults on the same sensor) stored alongside on some cars

What causes P246F?

Here are the most common causes of P246F:

Failed exhaust gas temperature sensor 4 (internal fault or drift)
: high
Damaged, chafed or heat-damaged sensor wiring near the exhaust
: high
Corroded or loose connector at the sensor
: medium
Sensor connectors swapped or a wrong sensor fitted after a repair, so the readings do not match their positions
: medium
Exhaust leak near the sensor changing the temperature it sees
: low
Engine computer fault
: low

Is it safe to drive with P246F?

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: without a trustworthy exhaust temperature signal the engine computer may suspend particulate filter regeneration, and some cars limit power or light the glow plug or DPF warning. A filter that goes too long without regenerating can block, which turns a sensor or wiring repair into a DPF clean or replacement.

How do you diagnose P246F?

Follow these steps to pinpoint the root cause of P246F:

Read all stored codes and the freeze frame with an OBD2 reader. Note any other codes for the same sensor (circuit, low or high) or for the particulate filter. A generic OBD2 reader can show the codes and freeze frame, but on most cars not each exhaust temperature sensor's reading or the regeneration status, and it cannot run a forced regeneration: those need manufacturer-level software or a workshop.
Find out which physical sensor is number 4 on your engine. The numbering is set by the manufacturer and some engines have four temperature sensors along the exhaust, so check the workshop information rather than guessing, and check that no connectors were swapped during an earlier repair.
Inspect the sensor wiring along the exhaust for melted insulation, chafing or a pulled connector, and check the connector for corrosion or loose pins.
With manufacturer-level software and the engine cold, compare the readings of all the exhaust temperature sensors: after the car has stood for some hours they should read close to each other and to the outside temperature. A sensor that reads far off, or does not rise with the others once the engine warms up, is suspect.
Measure the sensor's resistance against the manufacturer's specification, and check the wiring for continuity and shorts back to the engine computer.
Check the exhaust for leaks near the sensor, which can change the temperature it sees.
After replacing the sensor, clear the code and let the car complete a regeneration. If the filter has loaded up while the sensor was faulty, a forced regeneration with manufacturer-level software may be needed.

How much does P246F cost to fix?

Repair costs for P246F vary depending on the root cause and your vehicle. Here are typical estimates:

Repair	Parts Cost	Labor Cost	Total Estimate	DIY Difficulty
Replace exhaust gas temperature sensor	€25–€100	€40–€120	€65–€220	Moderate
Clean and repair sensor connector	€10–€60	€60–€180	€70–€240	Moderate
Repair sensor wiring harness section	€20–€120	€120–€350	€140–€470	Professional
Repair exhaust leak near the sensor	€30–€150	€60–€200	€90–€350	Professional
Forced DPF regeneration if soot built up meanwhile	€0–€0	€60–€150	€60–€150	Professional

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

Full repair guides

Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) Replacement Cost

P246F on specific vehicles

P246F behaves differently depending on your vehicle. Select your car below for model-specific causes and known issues:

P246F on Volkswagen

Volkswagen Touareg 3.0 TDI

See Volkswagen-specific causes & cost

P246F on Audi

Audi A4 2.0 TDI

See Audi-specific causes & cost

These codes are often seen alongside P246F or indicate related issues:

Common questions about P246F

What does P246F mean?: P246F means the engine computer does not trust the reading from exhaust gas temperature sensor 4 on bank 1: the signal is out of range or does not match the other exhaust temperature sensors. On diesels this sensor usually sits around or after the particulate filter, and the engine computer uses it to manage filter regeneration. It is a sensor fault code, not an AdBlue code.
Can I drive with P246F?: Usually yes in the short term, and many cars feel normal at first. Do not leave it for weeks, though: while the sensor reading is untrusted, the engine computer may stop regenerating the particulate filter, and some cars reduce power. A filter that goes too long without regenerating can block and cost far more than the sensor.
Which sensor is exhaust gas temperature sensor 4?: It depends on the engine. Some diesels have four exhaust temperature sensors, numbered from the engine backwards, and sensor 4 is then the one furthest down the exhaust, around or after the particulate filter. The numbering is set by each manufacturer, so check the workshop information for your engine before buying a sensor.
How much does it cost to fix P246F?: A replacement exhaust gas temperature sensor usually costs 65 to 220 EUR fitted. A connector repair is typically 70 to 240 EUR and a damaged wiring section 140 to 470 EUR. If the filter has loaded up while the sensor was faulty, a forced regeneration adds 60 to 150 EUR.
Can a cheap OBD2 reader fix P246F?: It can read and clear the code and show the freeze frame. On most cars it cannot show the individual exhaust temperature readings or run a forced regeneration; those need manufacturer-level software. If the sensor or its wiring is still faulty, the code comes back after clearing.

Read our detailed guides

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