Error Code P2046: What It Means & What To Do?

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Error code P2046 popping up? Can’t think of what to do about it? No worries, Parts Avatar to the rescue! It can be seen that the diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) is employed to help while converting the remaining exhaust particles to harmless gases. A high temperature in the exhaust system is required in order to burn off those particles. The temperature is brought to level by the diesel particulate filter when the DEF fluid is injected into the exhaust stream. Then the system performs the task of converting the harmful NOx to nitrogen, carbon dioxide and water. Next, the reductant catalyst (SRC) is added to the exhaust stream to decrease the presence of NOx in the system. This reductant temperature sensor performs the function of informing the PCM (engine computer) about the temperature of the DEF in the tank. The code P2046 is stored whenever the powertrain control module detects an improbable signal from the reductant temperature sensor.

It should be noted that the reductant heater and the sender assembly consist of a pickup tube for reductant pump module, an electric heating element, a reductant temperature sensor and an electrode type level sensor. One can easily locate the heating element right away above pickup tubes. When the diesel exhaust fluid temperature falls down to the freezing point of of 12°F (-11°C), it is identified by the reductant temperature sensor and this further leads to the PCM ordering the glow plug control module to offer voltage to the heating element. Then the heating element consequently melts liquid reductant within the reductant heater and sender assembly reservoir during cold temperatures.

What causes this problem with the Reductant Temperature Sensor Circuit Intermittent?

• A damaged reductant temperature sensor
• The reductant temperature sensor harness open or burnt
• A powerless electrical connection in the reductant temperature sensor circuit

1. Diesel Exhaust Fluid Pump - Increased consumption by equipment? Loss of DEF effectiveness? Then it is all likely caused due to a damaged diesel exhaust fluid pump. Tune into Parts Avatar if you want to get your new diesel exhaust fluid pump at budget friendly prices.
2. Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor - Willing to fight the complications caused by the error code P2046? Yes, all of the problems at times are also triggered due to a fault in the exhaust gas temperature sensor. Log into Part Avatar for your new one!
3. Reductant Catalyst - This is called "selective" because it performs the task of reducing levels of NOx using ammonia as a reductant within a catalyst system. So if you want to avoid unnecessary problems get your reductant catalyst changed ASAP.
4. Powertrain Control Module - A possible malfunction in the powertrain control module indicates that it is unable to determine the right fuel mixture and would send the car engine either more or less fuel than it requires. Consequently, when the engine gets more, the carbon emission would increase and fuel economy would drop. We advise you to mend or restore yours now!

If you are facing OBD error code P2046, then there are significant common symptoms that can be felt or observed. We have worked out a list here to help you out in understanding this problem better:

Common Symptoms

• The driver may notice an illuminated engine light (or service engine soon warning light)
• Heavy black smoke emissions while acceleration

It is very important to fix the fault code P2046. So here are some ways with which you can correct this issue:

• All the malfunctioning electrical components should be repaired or replaced immediately
• Mend or restore your defective exhaust gas temperature sensor
• Make sure you repair or replace a damaged reductant temperature sensor
• All the exhaust leakages should be replaced or repaired

To do all this, you will need few high-quality auto parts such as pcm, temperature sensor, diesel exhaust fluid and so on. From where will you get them? From your local store? Well, why go there when you can order quality parts with us while sitting in the comfort of your home. So, just browse through our website and order your needed parts today.

If you want to easily diagnose this fault code, then all you have to do is to follow the steps which are mentioned below:

First and foremost, to begin with, the technician should perform a visual inspection of all the electrical components. All the defective or corroded ones should be repaired or replaced. This may often lead to solving the problem. Next, now that the repairs have been performed, clear the codes from the system and retest. If in case the code returns, the technician should proceed further to perform a visual inspection of the exhaust gas temperature sensor along with the circuitry associated. A digital volt/ohmmeter should be used to compare the voltage readings to the manufacturer’ provisions. The codes should then be cleared and a test drive should be performed after all the repairs have been performed to ensure an accurate diagnosis. All the faulty components should be repaired or replaced immediately.

Common Mistakes When Diagnosing the P2046 Code

Here we have listed a few common mistakes that should be avoided while diagnosing the error code P2046:

Usually, the most common mistake made while diagnosing the code is misunderstanding it completely as some other code. Also, the technician often replace the oxygen sensors instead to the exhaust gas temperatures sensor. This leads to a failure in solving the error code P2046.