P0246Turbocharger/Supercharger Wastegate Actuator A High
- Generic OBD-II code · Powertrain
- Turns on the check-engine light
- Matters for the ITP
- Can trigger limp mode
- How the car detects it
- The wastegate lets exhaust bypass the turbine to limit boost; actuator A is either a pulse-width-modulated solenoid on a pneumatic wastegate can or an electric actuator with a position sensor. P0246 means the control circuit of actuator A reads high – the control wire is shorted to voltage, so the driver cannot switch the valve to ground. GM checks with the driver on for less than 0.5 Ω to battery voltage, 10 of 20 samples, warning light in the first trip; Ford's driver chip reports it after 2–5 s, and Ford's functional check of the wastegate control pressure (P1015/P1016) only runs when P0245/P0246 are clear. Boost control is then switched off and only the spring-set base boost remains – less power, but no risk of overboost.
- What you may notice
- Check engine light on
- Clearly less power, boost only at base level
- Sluggish acceleration, turbo lag
- Reduced engine power message possible
- Likely causes
- LikelyControl wire touching voltage (damaged harness, neighbouring wire)
- PossibleSolenoid shorted internally (very low resistance, driver overcurrent)
- PossibleMoisture or corrosion in the connector
- RareDriver stage in the engine module faulty
- Inspection (ITP)
- Matters for the ITP. While the check-engine light is on, the car fails the emissions check.
- Repair
- Medium · Often possible to do yourself.Typical cost: €30 – €300
- Related codes
Explanation from obdex (CC0), exactly as the app shows it. Guidance only; confirm with a workshop.