P0236

Turbocharger/Supercharger Boost Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance

Turbo/supercharger boost Generic OBD-II High

What it means

P0236 means the turbo or supercharger boost pressure sensor "A" is reading a value the ECM considers out of range or inconsistent with other inputs. It can stem from the sensor itself or from a real boost/intake leak. Because boost control depends on this signal, the engine often runs in reduced-power mode until the fault is fixed.

High

Can I keep driving? Drivable but often in reduced-power mode — the ECM may limit boost to protect the engine, so expect sluggish acceleration until repaired.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

817

scans in the past year

Found in

0.1%

of scans

0.2%

of scans that found faults

Appears alongside · share of P0236 scans

P1604in 20.8% of scans

P0238in 17.3% of scans

P1272in 13.9% of scans

Figures reflect only diagnostic scans recorded through our own apps and tools. Cars are typically scanned because a symptom or warning light prompted it, so these counts describe our scan records — not the incidence of faults in any model, and not the quality, reliability, or safety of any vehicle. No comparison between manufacturers or models is implied. All trademarks belong to their respective owners; no affiliation or endorsement is implied.

Common symptoms

What you'll notice

Check-engine light on
Reduced power or 'limp mode' with limited boost
Hesitation or stumble during acceleration
Poor throttle response under load

Common causes

Most likely first

Faulty turbo/supercharger boost pressure sensor (reading implausible or out of range)Likely
Boost/vacuum or intake leak causing pressure that disagrees with the sensorCommon
Damaged or corroded wiring/connector at the boost sensorCommon
Faulty engine control module (ECM) — least commonLess often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Read freeze-frame data and compare the boost sensor reading to actual manifold/barometric pressure with a scan tool.
Inspect intake and charge-air plumbing for boost or vacuum leaks.
Check the sensor connector and wiring for damage, then test the sensor's signal against spec.
Replace the boost sensor if out of range; if all else checks out, have the ECM evaluated. Clear and re-test.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0236?+

Short term yes, but expect reduced power. The ECM often caps boost as a safeguard, so repair it before extended or hard driving.

Can I just clear P0236?+

It clears, but a range/performance fault returns once the sensor reading is judged implausible again. Diagnose the sensor and plumbing first.

Read & clear P0236 yourself

Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.

▶ Get it on Google Play

✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX