P0236: Turbo boost sensor reading does not make sense
Turbocharger boost sensor A circuit range/performance
Severity: Inspect soon
PartsAvatar says that without boost control the engine loses significant power and can be stressed by unregulated pressure.
It gets more serious if:
- Stop: Stop driving if the engine knocks or pings hard under load or loses power severely.
P0236 in short
P0236 means the boost pressure reading does not match other pressure references or expected behavior. Hose or vacuum faults, a faulty sensor or the boost control solenoid are common causes. Have it checked soon: PartsAvatar warns a disabled boost control means large power loss and possible engine stress.
The turbo boost sensor reports intake pressure. The computer compares it with the barometric or manifold pressure reading, especially at idle or key-on before starting.
TaT calls this a plausibility fault: the sensor is in its electrical range, but the value does not match what the engine is doing.
PartsAvatar points to vacuum supply and lines, control solenoids and the turbo hoses as well as the sensor.
Most likely causes
These are general causes for this code across vehicles. None is specific to one make or model.
Cause 1: Boost pressure sensor reading wrong
Common general cause- Why it ranks here
- The code is defined by this sensor failing its plausibility check.
- What would change this
- Rises if key-on, engine-off pressure does not match barometric. Falls if it does.
Cause 2: Collapsed, split or loose turbo hose or vacuum line
Common general cause- Why it ranks here
- PartsAvatar lists damaged vacuum lines and has you check the turbo hoses.
- What would change this
- Rises if a hose is split or loose. Falls if hoses hold pressure.
Cause 3: Boost control solenoid, wastegate or computer
Possible — needs testing- Why it ranks here
- PartsAvatar lists control solenoids and the PCM and has you check the wastegate.
- What would change this
- Rises if sensor and hoses test good. Falls if either is faulty.
What to test first
Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.
Step 1: Read all codes and freeze-frame data and compare key-on, engine-off boost sensor reading to barometric pressure.
IfReading differs from barometric
It meansSensor suspect.
IfReading matches
It meansCheck hoses and boost control.
Step 2: Inspect turbo hoses, clamps and vacuum lines, and check boost response and the wastegate.
Warning:Boost tests need a road test and the engine running near hot, moving parts. Let a shop do it.
IfA split, loose or collapsed hose is found
It meansRepair it.
Points to: Collapsed, split or loose turbo hose or vacuum line
IfHoses are good but boost does not respond
It meansControl solenoid or wastegate.
Symptoms
- Check engine light
- Reduced power or turbo boost Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.
- Pinging or knock under acceleration Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.
- Hesitation
How to fix
On your vehicle
HondaYour car
2018–2021 · Accord
Supported by vehicle dataHonda bulletin A21-049 names P0236. Service bulletin for 2018-2021 Accord with the light on and P0236 stored. The summary does not give the repair. Whether it is still current is not verified.
A21-049Status unverified
MIL on with P0236 (Accord)
2018–2021accord · issued · NHTSA 10194464
Service bulletin for 2018-2021 Accord with the light on and P0236 stored. The summary does not give the repair.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
AcuraYour car
2019–2021 · TLX
Supported by vehicle dataAcura bulletin B21-021 names P0236 (also listed for rdx). Service bulletin for 2019-2021 TLX and RDX with the light on and P0236 stored. The summary does not give the repair. Whether it is still current is not verified.
B21-021Status unverified
MIL on with P0236 (TLX, RDX)
2019–2021tlx, rdx · issued · NHTSA 10196882
Service bulletin for 2019-2021 TLX and RDX with the light on and P0236 stored. The summary does not give the repair.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
ChevroletYour car
2016–2019 · Cruze
Supported by vehicle dataChevrolet bulletin 22-NA-007 names P0236. Procedures for poor performance in very cold weather from charge air cooler icing, with P0236 among several codes. Also issued for the Buick Encore GX. Whether it is still current is not verified.
22-NA-007Status unverified
Charge air cooler icing in extreme cold with P0299, P0234, P0236 (Cruze)
2016–2019cruze · issued · NHTSA 10209471
Procedures for poor performance in very cold weather from charge air cooler icing, with P0236 among several codes. Also issued for the Buick Encore GX.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
Related codes
No curated relationships for P0236 yet.
P0236 questions
Can I drive with P0236?
Get it checked soon. PartsAvatar warns boost control loss means big power loss and possible engine stress, so avoid hard acceleration.
Sources and review
- P0236 OBD error code summary
- P0236 fault code entry
- Honda A21-049: MIL on with P0236 (Accord)
- Acura B21-021: MIL on with P0236 (TLX, RDX)
- Chevrolet 22-NA-007: Charge air cooler icing in extreme cold with P0299, P0234, P0236 (Cruze)
- Last reviewed
- Written by
- Saurabh K.
- Editorial review
- Pending
- Technician review
- Technician review pending
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