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P2246

O2 Sensor Reference Voltage Circuit High (Bank 1 Sensor 1)

The reference voltage on the bank 1, sensor 1 wide-band oxygen sensor reads above the upper threshold. Common with a short to a positive supply or a corroded connector with leakage current.

  • Check engine light: Yes
  • Emissions related: Yes
  • Repair difficulty: medium

Symptoms

  • Check engine light on
  • Increased fuel consumption
  • Possible rough idle or hesitation
  • Failed emissions test

Common causes

Ordered by how often each turns out to be the cause.

  • Reference line shorted to positiveCommon
  • Connector corroded with leakagePossible
  • Supply wire pinched against B+ sourceLess likely

Parts involved

  • Oxygen Sensor Upstream
  • Oxygen Sensor Wiring

P2246 is a generic OBD-II code defined by SAE J2012. Exact wording and diagnostic procedure vary by manufacturer and model. Code definitions are drawn from the public-domain OBDex dataset; the workshop notes are our own.