P2043 code meaning
Reductant Temperature Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance
Powertrain system Generic code P20xx codes Check engine light
What P2043 means
P2043 flags a temperature reading from reductant sensor A that is electrically valid but does not fit the other temperatures the system knows. Deutz stores it as P2043-64, a plausibility error of the DEF temperature sensor in the SCR system (SPN 4337), separate from the tank sensor check P205B-64. Ford uses the code on 2011–2012 F-250/F-350 and 2011–2015 F-450/F-550 with the 6.7L diesel built up to 9 Dec 2014: per bulletin 18-2190, P2043 on its own only needs a PCM reprogram, while P2043 together with P205C or P205D calls for a new reductant heater and sender assembly as well. A plausibility code alone therefore often points to software or a cold soak case rather than to a broken part. Open and shorted circuits are P2042, P2044 and P2045.
P2043 at a glance
- Check engine lightYes, usually on
- Emissions testCan fail
- Limp modeNot expected
- Repair difficultyMedium
- Typical labor0.4 to 2 hours
- Clears after repairAfter a drive cycle
Symptoms of P2043
- MIL, often without noticeable driving change
- DEF heater may run at the wrong time
Common causes of P2043
- Most likelyEngine control software, fixed by reprogramming (Ford 6.7L)
- PossibleTemperature sensor drifting or slow to respond
- Less likelyFrozen or partly thawed DEF around the sensor
- Less likelyContact resistance in the connector shifting the reading
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Reductant temperature sensor
What each part of P2043 means
| P | Powertrain system: engine, fuel system, ignition, emissions and transmission. |
| 2 | Generic code (second SAE range): it means the same on every make. |
| 0 | Area: fuel and air metering and auxiliary emission controls. |
| 43 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note P2043 and any other codes stored with it: several codes together often point to one cause.
- Check for loose connectors and damaged wiring around the parts the code names.
- Check open recalls for your car: some faults are fixed for free by the dealer. Enter your VIN.
- Clear the code only after the repair. If it comes back, the fault is still there.
Buying a used car? Scan it for stored codes before you pay. A recently cleared memory can hide a problem.
Questions about P2043
What does P2043 mean?
P2043 means "Reductant Temperature Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance". P2043 flags a temperature reading from reductant sensor A that is electrically valid but does not fit the other temperatures the system knows. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with P2043?
Usually yes, for a short time, if the check engine light is steady and the car drives normally. If the light flashes or the car runs badly, stop and have it checked.
Will P2043 fail an emissions test?
Yes, it can. P2043 is emissions-related, so most inspection programs fail a car while it is stored or while the check engine light is on.
How hard is P2043 to fix?
Difficulty: medium. A typical repair takes 0.4 to 2 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will P2043 clear itself after the repair?
After the repair the car has to complete a drive cycle (a mix of city and highway driving) before the test runs again. Until then the readiness monitor shows "not ready", which can fail an inspection.