P2481Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor Circuit Low (Bank 1 Sensor 5)
- Generic OBD-II code · Powertrain
- Turns on the check-engine light
- Matters for the ITP
- Can trigger limp mode
- How the car detects it
- P2481 means the signal of the fifth bank 1 exhaust probe has dropped below its lower electrical limit, which on a resistive probe usually indicates a short to ground. GM documents it codegenau for its diesel ECMs: the 2017 and 2020 tables fail a probe resistance under 158 Ω, the 2018 table under 500 Ω, each after 10 of 20 samples at 100 ms, as a Type B fault. The 2025 tables flag under 1 Ω, or for a digital thermocouple a reading colder than about −73 °C, after 19 of 25 samples. Ram lists P2481 for the 2025–2026 2500/3500 diesel and stresses using the sensor names in the scan tool, since the numbering is easy to mix up. P2482 is the opposite limit, P2484 an unsteady signal.
- What you may notice
- Engine warning lamp after two trips
- Probe 5 reads implausibly in live data
- Likely causes
- LikelySignal lead chafed through and touching ground
- PossibleInternal short in the probe after heat damage
- RareNeighbouring probe replaced because positions were confused
- 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: €40 – €350
- Related codes
Explanation from obdex (CC0), exactly as the app shows it. Guidance only; confirm with a workshop.