P246CParticulate Filter Restriction - Forced Limited Power (Bank 1)
- Generic OBD-II code · Powertrain
- Turns on the check-engine light
- Matters for the ITP
- Can trigger limp mode
- How the car detects it
- P246C is the final stage of the bank 1 filter loading monitor: the filter is judged so clogged that the controller reduces engine output to protect engine and filter. Ford uses it on diesels with an immediate MIL plus wrench light. In the 2015 summary a normalised restriction of twice the normal soot value above 625 rpm for 300 s sets it and EGR is switched off; the 2023 summary uses an estimated soot mass of 200 % of the normal regeneration trigger. Ford's 2024 petrol summary applies the code to the gasoline filter as well, with normalised back pressure above 1.0 for 5 s once the filter is above 250 °C at 400–850 m³/h. Ford bulletins for the 3.2 L Transit (18-2064) and 6.7 L Super Duty (21-2052) pair it with P2463 and fix it by forced regeneration or new PCM software. Bank 2 is P243B.
- What you may notice
- MIL and service or wrench light on
- Marked loss of power (limp mode)
- Drive-to-clean or filter full message
- Likely causes
- LikelySoot overload after repeatedly missed or aborted regenerations
- PossibleMostly stationary or low-speed operation without full regenerations
- PossibleFilter at the end of its life with high ash content
- RarePCM calibration overestimating soot load (Ford bulletins)
- Inspection (ITP)
- Matters for the ITP. While the check-engine light is on, the car fails the emissions check.
- Repair
- Hard · Usually a job for a workshop.Typical cost: €100 – €3,000
- Related codes
Explanation from obdex (CC0), exactly as the app shows it. Guidance only; confirm with a workshop.