Skip to content

P2246 – O2 Sensor Reference Voltage Circuit High Bank 1 Sensor 1 (OBD2)

P2246 means "O2 Sensor Reference Voltage Circuit High Bank 1 Sensor 1". The voltage in the oxygen (lambda) sensor circuit is above the permitted maximum. For most sensors this points to an open signal or ground wire – the signal "floats" up to the reference voltage – or to a short to voltage.

Last updated

P2246 quick summary

Fault codeP2246
MeaningO2 Sensor Reference Voltage Circuit High Bank 1 Sensor 1
SystemPowertrain (Engine & Transmission)
VehiclesGeneric OBD2
SeverityMedium
Can I drive?Yes, in most cases. Fuel control becomes less accurate, so fuel consumption and emissions rise and the car may fail an emissions test. Do not ignore it for months, as a wrong mixture can damage the catalytic converter.
Repair cost€40 – €350

How oxygen (lambda) sensors work

Oxygen sensors measure how much oxygen is left in the exhaust, which tells the engine control unit whether the mixture is rich or lean and how well the catalytic converter works.

Petrol engines have at least two oxygen sensors per exhaust bank: an upstream sensor (sensor 1) before the catalytic converter and a downstream sensor (sensor 2) after it. The upstream sensor is used for fuel control; the downstream sensor checks the catalytic converter. Diesels use wide-band oxygen sensors mainly for EGR and smoke control.

A conventional narrow-band sensor switches between about 0.1 V (lean) and 0.9 V (rich) several times a second when the engine is warm and running in closed loop. Wide-band (air-fuel ratio) sensors work differently and report a current or a lambda value. The sensor only works when hot, which is why it has a heater (see the separate heater codes).

Codes in this group cover electrical faults (low, high, no activity), slow response and swapped signals. A slow or inactive sensor makes fuel control less accurate, increases fuel consumption and emissions, and can lead to catalytic converter damage over time.

Bank 1 is the side of the engine that contains cylinder 1. In-line engines (three, four, five or six cylinders in a row) have only bank 1.

Sensor 1 is the upstream oxygen (lambda) sensor, mounted before the catalytic converter. It is the sensor the engine uses to control the mixture.

Symptoms of P2246

  • Check Engine light on
  • Higher fuel consumption
  • Rough idle or hesitation (upstream sensor)
  • Failed emissions test
  • Sometimes a smell of rotten eggs or catalytic converter codes such as P0420

Most common causes of P2246 (most likely first)

Mechanic's Pro Tip

An oxygen sensor rarely fails on its own – it usually reports a problem. Before replacing an upstream sensor that reads lean, check for vacuum and exhaust leaks; before replacing one that reads rich, check for leaking injectors or high fuel pressure. If the trims are normal and only the sensor signal is lazy, then the sensor itself is worn.

  1. 1.Open circuit in the signal or ground wire

    Most likely

    A loose ground connection is a very common cause.

  2. 2.Signal wire shorted to the 5 V reference or battery voltage

  3. 3.Faulty oxygen (lambda) sensor

  4. 4.Aged or contaminated oxygen sensor

    Sensors typically last about 100,000–160,000 km; oil, coolant or silicone contamination shortens their life.

  5. 5.Exhaust leak near the sensor

    A leak before the sensor sucks in outside air and makes the mixture look lean.

  6. 6.Wiring damage near the exhaust

    Heat and contact with the exhaust can melt or chafe the sensor wires.

  7. 7.Real mixture problem

    A vacuum leak, a leaking injector or low fuel pressure can make a healthy sensor report lean or rich.

Step-by-step diagnostic guide

  1. 1

    Read codes and fuel trims

    Read all codes and look at short- and long-term fuel trims. Large trims point to a real mixture problem rather than a faulty sensor.

  2. 2

    Check signal and ground

    With the ignition on and the oxygen (lambda) sensor plugged in, back-probe the signal and ground wires. A signal stuck at reference or battery voltage points to an open ground/signal wire or a short to voltage.

    Multimeter: Ground wire to battery negative: below about 0.1 V. Signal stuck at about 5 V (or 12 V) = open or short to voltage.

  3. 3

    Watch the sensor signal

    With the engine warm at about 2,500 rpm, watch the sensor in live data. An upstream narrow-band sensor should switch rapidly; a downstream sensor should be fairly steady when the catalytic converter is working.

    Multimeter: Narrow-band upstream: switching between about 0.1 and 0.9 V several times per second. Downstream: steady, usually around 0.5–0.8 V.

  4. 4

    Check for exhaust leaks

    Check the manifold, the flexible joint and the gaskets before the sensor for leaks (soot marks, ticking noise).

  5. 5

    Check heater and wiring

    Check the heater circuit and the signal wiring, especially where the harness runs near the exhaust.

  6. 6

    Replace and verify

    Replace the sensor with the correct type (narrow-band or wide-band, correct cable length), use anti-seize on the thread only, clear codes and check the signal again.

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep driving with P2246?

Yes, in most cases. Fuel control becomes less accurate, so fuel consumption and emissions rise and the car may fail an emissions test. Do not ignore it for months, as a wrong mixture can damage the catalytic converter.

How much does it cost to fix P2246?

Typical repair costs are 40 € – 350 €, depending on the cause and the vehicle. The most common fixes are: open circuit in the signal or ground wire; signal wire shorted to the 5 V reference or battery voltage; faulty oxygen (lambda) sensor. Always confirm the cause with the tests above before buying parts.

What is the difference between sensor 1 and sensor 2?

Sensor 1 is upstream (before the catalytic converter) and controls the mixture. Sensor 2 is downstream (after the converter) and monitors converter efficiency. A sensor 2 fault does not usually affect how the engine runs.

Should I buy an original or universal oxygen sensor?

A direct-fit sensor from an OE supplier (such as Bosch, NTK/NGK or Denso) with the correct connector is the safest choice. Universal sensors require splicing wires, which is a common source of new faults.

What is the difference between P2246 and similar codes?

P2246 belongs to a group of codes for the same component that differ in the type or location of the fault: P2243 – O2 Sensor Reference Voltage Circuit/Open Bank 1 Sensor 1; P2244 – O2 Sensor Reference Voltage Performance Bank 1 Sensor 1; P2245 – O2 Sensor Reference Voltage Circuit Low Bank 1 Sensor 1; P2247 – O2 Sensor Reference Voltage Circuit/Open Bank 2 Sensor 1; P2248 – O2 Sensor Reference Voltage Performance Bank 2 Sensor 1; P2249 – O2 Sensor Reference Voltage Circuit Low Bank 2 Sensor 1. The tests on this page apply to the whole group; the type of fault tells you where to start.

Related fault codes

This guide is for information only. Working on vehicles can be dangerous — if you are unsure, have the car checked by a qualified mechanic. Values can differ between model years; always check the manufacturer's repair information.