P0246

Turbocharger/Supercharger Wastegate Actuator A High

Q: Is it safe to drive with P0246?

For short distances at light throttle, yes, but boost control is compromised — the engine may enter limp mode and uncontrolled boost can stress the turbo. Repair it promptly.

Q: Can I just clear P0246?

It will reset once the ECM commands the wastegate and detects the circuit fault. Fix the wiring or solenoid first.

Turbo/boost control Generic OBD-II High

What it means

P0246 means the ECM detected a high-voltage (short-to-power) fault in the 'A' wastegate solenoid control circuit. The wastegate regulates how much boost the turbo or supercharger makes; when its control circuit fails the ECM usually cuts power or enters limp mode to protect the engine, so you'll notice reduced performance rather than a no-start.

High

Can I keep driving? Drivable but limited — expect reduced power or limp mode, and boost may be uncontrolled, so drive gently until the wastegate circuit is repaired.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

160

scans in the past year

Found in

<0.1%

of scans

0.1%

of scans that found faults

Appears alongside · share of P0246 scans

P0245in 86.9% of scans

P1002in 86.2% of scans

P1004in 86.2% 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
Sluggish or laggy acceleration
Over- or under-boost, sometimes with poor fuel economy

Common causes

Most likely first

Short-to-voltage or high-voltage fault in the wastegate solenoid 'A' control circuitLikely
Failed wastegate control solenoidCommon
Corroded or damaged connector at the solenoidCommon
Chafed wiring contacting a power sourceLess often
Faulty ECM driver (least likely)Less often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Read freeze-frame data and inspect the wastegate solenoid 'A' connector and wiring for a short to voltage.
Measure the solenoid resistance and check the control circuit against spec.
Repair any wiring shorted to power; replace the solenoid if it's out of spec.
Confirm the wastegate actuator moves freely and isn't binding.
Clear the code and road-test through a boost cycle to verify the fix.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0246?+

For short distances at light throttle, yes, but boost control is compromised — the engine may enter limp mode and uncontrolled boost can stress the turbo. Repair it promptly.

Can I just clear P0246?+

It will reset once the ECM commands the wastegate and detects the circuit fault. Fix the wiring or solenoid first.

Read & clear P0246 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