P246B on Volkswagen
Diesel Particulate Filter Active/Regeneration - Incorrect Conditions/Temperature Too Low - Bank 2
P246B on Volkswagen vehicles indicates diesel particulate filter active/regeneration - incorrect conditions/temperature too low - bank 2. Au7o has documented this code across 1 Volkswagen model — most commonly on Passat. This code indicates the engine computer detected that conditions were not correct to perform a proper regeneration (burn-off) cycle of the diesel particulate filter (DPF) on bank 2, typically because exhaust temperatures were too low. The DPF traps soot from diesel exhaust and must periodically heat up to roughly 600 C to burn that soot away. When the computer sees inconsistent temperature or sensor data over several drive cycles, it logs this code to warn that the filter cannot clean itself safely. Left unaddressed, the DPF can become clogged and restrict the exhaust. Typical repair costs on Volkswagen range from $300 to $3,000, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Common Causes of P246B
- •Short trips / low-speed driving preventing regeneration
- •Faulty exhaust gas temperature (EGT) sensor
- •Clogged or aged diesel particulate filter
- •Faulty DPF differential pressure sensor
- •Excess soot from a running engine fault (air leak, injector issue)
- •Failed or aborted regeneration cycles
- •Wiring or connector faults on EGT sensors
P246B on Volkswagen by Model
Volkswagen Passat(1 issue)
- DPF Clogging (TDI Diesel)2012-2015
The diesel particulate filter (DPF) in TDI Passat models is prone to clogging, particularly in vehicles used primarily for short trips or city driving where the exhaust does not get hot enough for passive regeneration. A clogged DPF triggers regeneration cycles that increase fuel consumption and can eventually put the vehicle in limp mode if the filter becomes too saturated with soot.
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View P246B across all makes →Frequently Asked Questions
What does P246B mean on Volkswagen?▼
P246B stands for "Diesel Particulate Filter Active/Regeneration - Incorrect Conditions/Temperature Too Low - Bank 2." This code indicates the engine computer detected that conditions were not correct to perform a proper regeneration (burn-off) cycle of the diesel particulate filter (DPF) on bank 2, typically because exhaust temperatures were too low. The DPF traps soot from diesel exhaust and must periodically heat up to roughly 600 C to burn that soot away. When the computer sees inconsistent temperature or sensor data over several drive cycles, it logs this code to warn that the filter cannot clean itself safely. Left unaddressed, the DPF can become clogged and restrict the exhaust. On Volkswagen specifically, this code is documented across 1 model.
What causes P246B on Volkswagen vehicles?▼
Common causes on Volkswagen: Short trips / low-speed driving preventing regeneration, Faulty exhaust gas temperature (EGT) sensor, Clogged or aged diesel particulate filter, Faulty DPF differential pressure sensor, Excess soot from a running engine fault (air leak, injector issue). Specific causes vary by model and year — see the per-model sections below.
How much does it cost to fix P246B on a Volkswagen?▼
Repair costs on Volkswagen range from $300 to $3,000, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Which Volkswagen models have P246B documented?▼
Au7o has documented P246B on 1 Volkswagen model: Passat.