P2146 code meaning
Fuel Injector Group A Supply Voltage Circuit/Open
Powertrain system Generic code P21xx codes Check engine light
What P2146 means
Direct-injection and common-rail injectors are fed by a high-side driver in the engine module, often shared by several injectors. P2146 is the open or general fault of the first such supply. GM's 2009 Duramax diesel pairs injectors 1 and 4 in group 1 and sets P2146 when the driver sees an open, short or missing load for 6 ms, type A. VW's 2014 TSI and VR6 engines check the high-side current: below 2.6 A or above 14.9 A. GM gasoline direct injection assigns the code to a single cylinder, the high-side control line of cylinder 1; in the Saab 9-5 2.0T a supply fault shared by cylinders 1 and 4 sets P2146 and P2155 together, after 1 s, type B, and the injector is shut off. GM bulletin PIP4924D links it to chafed V6 injector harnesses. Expect misfire and rough running.
P2146 at a glance
- Check engine lightYes, usually on
- Emissions testCan fail
- Limp modePossible
- Repair difficultyHard
- Typical labor1 to 5 hours
- Clears after repairWhen cleared with a scanner
Symptoms of P2146
- Misfire on one or more cylinders
- Rough running and loss of power
- Check engine lamp on
Common causes of P2146
- Most likelyInjector harness chafed through or wire open inside insulation
- PossibleLoose, wet or corroded injector connector
- PossibleOpen coil or piezo stack in an injector of the group
- Less likelyFaulty high-side driver in the engine control module
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Fuel injectorInjector wiringEngine control module
What each part of P2146 means
| P | Powertrain system: engine, fuel system, ignition, emissions and transmission. |
| 2 | Generic code (second SAE range): it means the same on every make. |
| 1 | Area: fuel and air metering. |
| 46 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note P2146 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 P2146
What does P2146 mean?
P2146 means "Fuel Injector Group A Supply Voltage Circuit/Open". Direct-injection and common-rail injectors are fed by a high-side driver in the engine module, often shared by several injectors. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with P2146?
Drive gently and only to a workshop. With P2146 the car can go into limp mode (reduced power) to protect itself.
Will P2146 fail an emissions test?
Yes, it can. P2146 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 P2146 to fix?
Difficulty: hard. A typical repair takes 1 to 5 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will P2146 clear itself after the repair?
Clear the code with a scanner after the repair. If the fault is fixed, it does not come back.