P230B code meaning
Cylinder 2 Air-Fuel Ratio Imbalance - Adjustment At Limit During Balance
Powertrain system Generic code P23xx codes Check engine light
What P230B means
P230B singles out cylinder 2: its individual fuel correction has reached the limit during cylinder balancing and the imbalance remains. Audi is one of the few makers whose use of the code is on record. Its 2020 bulletin 2060348 for the A6 2.0 TFSI of the third EA888 generation explains that a calibration mistake filed a cylinder 2 imbalance under P230E, the cylinder 5 code, instead of the correct P230B; the guided fault finding still tested cylinder 2. P219D is the plain imbalance code for this cylinder and P0302 its misfire counter. Typical root causes are an injector delivering too much or too little, a leaking intake port seal or a valve that no longer closes tightly. The MIL is lit and the engine may idle unevenly.
P230B at a glance
- Check engine lightYes, usually on
- Emissions testCan fail
- Limp modeNot expected
- Repair difficultyMedium
- Typical labor0.5 to 6 hours
- Clears after repairAfter a drive cycle
Symptoms of P230B
- Check engine light on
- Rough idle, possibly misfire on cylinder 2
- Higher fuel consumption or exhaust smell
Common causes of P230B
- Most likelyInjector of cylinder 2 delivering too much or too little (deposits, wear)
- PossibleAir leak at the intake port or injector seal of cylinder 2
- PossibleValve of cylinder 2 not sealing (worn seat or guide), low compression
- Less likelyCalibration error in the cylinder assignment (Audi 2.0 TFSI Gen 3, bulletin 2060348)
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Fuel injector cyl 2Intake manifoldCylinder compression
What each part of P230B means
| P | Powertrain system: engine, fuel system, ignition, emissions and transmission. |
| 2 | Generic code (second SAE range): it means the same on every make. |
| 3 | Area: ignition system or misfire. |
| 0B | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note P230B 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 P230B
What does P230B mean?
P230B means "Cylinder 2 Air-Fuel Ratio Imbalance - Adjustment At Limit During Balance". P230B singles out cylinder 2: its individual fuel correction has reached the limit during cylinder balancing and the imbalance remains. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with P230B?
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 P230B fail an emissions test?
Yes, it can. P230B 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 P230B to fix?
Difficulty: medium. A typical repair takes 0.5 to 6 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will P230B 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.