P0237 Turbo boost pressure sensor signal too low

Turbocharger boost sensor A circuit low

Severity not verified — if the car runs badly, have it inspected

The sources list loss of power and turbo noise, and one dealer is quoted telling a VW owner the car is not drivable, but no source gives a general rating.

It gets more serious if:

  • Inspect soon: Get it inspected soon if power drops noticeably, the engine hesitates or stalls, or the turbo makes new hissing or whistling noises. TroubleCodes.net lists these as symptoms and GM and Ford bulletins tie the code to reduced power.

Source: how we rate severity

P0237 in short

P0237 means the computer is reading too little signal from the turbo boost pressure sensor. A faulty sensor or its wiring is a common cause, but a leak in the charge air path or a turbo fault can also set it. Expect reduced power and possibly turbo noises, so get it checked soon.

A turbocharged engine has a sensor that measures how much boost the turbo is making. P0237 is set when that sensor voltage is below what the computer expects. A sensor or wiring fault can do this, and so can a real loss of boost.

TroubleCodes.net and Kelley Blue Book list the sensor, its connectors and wiring first. TroubleCodes.net also lists air leaks or restrictions on the inlet side, a dirty air filter, a faulty wastegate and turbo damage as possible causes. One VW diesel owner said the dealer called it an intermittent failure of the boost sensor and its harness.

Two makers have specific findings. GM says a damaged charge air inlet pipe connection at the turbocharger can cause reduced power with P0237 and P0299 on 2023-2026 Equinox and Terrain, and Ford says some 2020-2022 Super Duty 6.7L trucks with P0237 among other codes may need a new turbo variable vane actuator, not a whole turbo.

Most likely causes

  1. Faulty boost pressure sensor or its wiring and connector

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    TroubleCodes.net and Kelley Blue Book both list the sensor, wiring and connectors first, and a VW dealer reading in an owner complaint named the sensor and harness.
    What would change this
    Rises if the 5 volt reference or ground is out, the harness is damaged, or the sensor reading disagrees with the MAP sensor. Falls if the sensor reads sensibly and tracks boost.

  2. Leak or restriction in the charge air path

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    TroubleCodes.net lists inlet tract leaks or obstructions and a dirty filter. GM bulletin PIP5927E names a damaged charge air inlet pipe connection at the turbo on 2023-2026 Equinox and Terrain.
    What would change this
    Rises if you find a loose or cracked pipe or oil mist at a joint, or boost is low in live data. Falls if the charge air path is tight and boost builds normally.

  3. Turbo wastegate or variable vane actuator or internal turbo fault

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    TroubleCodes.net lists the wastegate and internal turbo damage. Ford SSM 50564 says some 2020-2022 Super Duty 6.7L trucks with P0237 and related codes may need a vane actuator, with whole-turbo replacement no longer required.
    What would change this
    Rises on a covered Ford with turbo noise and low boost and actuator faults in diagnosis. Falls on other vehicles or when the actuator tests good.

  4. Engine computer fault

    Possible — needs testing
    Why it ranks here
    TroubleCodes.net and Kelley Blue Book list the computer as a rare cause, to be considered last.
    What would change this
    Rises only if the sensor circuit tests good. Falls with any sensor or wiring fault found.
    How to test the engine control module (ecm / pcm)

What to test first

Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.

  1. Read all stored codes and freeze frame, and note other boost, MAP or turbo codes stored with P0237.

    Low riskTool: OBD-II scan tool

    • IfP0299 or other low boost codes are stored too

      It meansA real loss of boost is likely. Check the charge air path.

      Go to step 2

    • IfOnly P0237 is stored

      It meansCheck the sensor circuit next.

      Go to step 3

  2. With the engine off and cool, look over the air filter and the charge air pipes and clamps between the air box, turbo and intake for looseness, cracks or oil at the joints.

    Low risk

  3. Check the boost sensor connector and wiring, then with a meter check the 5 volt reference, ground and signal and compare the sensor reading with the MAP sensor.

    Use cautionTool: multimeter, scan tool with live data

    Warning:Probing a connector with the key on can short the 5 volt reference and set more codes. Use the correct back-probes and follow the wiring diagram.

  4. Have a shop watch live boost against the commanded boost on a road test and test the wastegate or variable vane actuator.

    Best left to a shopTool: scan tool with live data

    Warning:A road test with live data means driving with a laptop or scan tool in the car, and exhaust and turbo parts are very hot. Let a shop do it.

Symptoms

  • Check engine light on
  • Noticeable loss of power Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.
  • Hesitation or stalling on acceleration Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.
  • Hissing, whistling or wheezing from the turbo Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.
  • Glow plug or warning light on some diesels

Compare with: Check engine light with loss of power

How to fix

  1. With the engine off and cool, check that the charge air pipes and clamps between the air filter box, turbocharger and intake are tight and undamaged, and that the air filter is clean.

On your vehicle

Ford

  • 2020–2022 · F-250 Super Duty

    Supported by vehicle data

    Ford SSM 50564 covers 6.7L trucks with a lit MIL, lack of power or turbo noise and a list of turbo codes including P0237; the variable vane actuator is available as a part. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • SSM 50564 (f-250-super-duty)Status unverified

    6.7L with turbo codes including P0237, variable vane actuator

    2020–2022f-250-super-duty · issued · NHTSA 10208834

    If workshop manual diagnosis leads to the turbo variable vane actuator, a service part is available and replacing the whole turbocharger is no longer required.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • SSM 50564 (f-350-super-duty)Status unverified

    6.7L with turbo codes including P0237, variable vane actuator

    2020–2022f-350-super-duty · issued · NHTSA 10208834

    If workshop manual diagnosis leads to the turbo variable vane actuator, a service part is available and replacing the whole turbocharger is no longer required.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Chevrolet

  • 2023–2026 · Equinox

    Supported by vehicle data

    GM PIP5927E says a damaged charge air inlet pipe connection at the turbocharger can cause reduced power with P0237 and P0299. It is preliminary information, and whether it is still current is not verified.

  • PIP5927E (chevrolet)Status unverified

    Reduced power with P0237 and/or P0299, charge air inlet pipe at turbo

    2023–2026equinox · issued · NHTSA 11032946

    Preliminary information: a damaged charge air inlet pipe connection at the turbocharger can cause reduced power with these codes.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

GMC

  • 2023–2026 · Terrain

    Supported by vehicle data

    GM PIP5927E says a damaged charge air inlet pipe connection at the turbocharger can cause reduced power with P0237 and P0299. It is preliminary information, and whether it is still current is not verified.

  • PIP5927E (gmc)Status unverified

    Reduced power with P0237 and/or P0299, charge air inlet pipe at turbo

    2023–2026terrain · issued · NHTSA 11032946

    Preliminary information: a damaged charge air inlet pipe connection at the turbocharger can cause reduced power with these codes.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • P0299Turbocharger or supercharger is producing less boost than the engine computer requested

    Same system Supported by vehicle data

    GM bulletin PIP5927E lists P0237 together with P0299 (low boost) for a damaged charge air inlet pipe connection, so check the air path when both appear.

  • P0236Turbo boost sensor reading does not make sense

    Same system Common general cause

    P0236 is the range or performance fault for the same boost sensor. A sensor or wiring fault can set either.

  • P0234Turbocharger or supercharger boost pressure is higher than the engine computer requested

    Same system Supported by vehicle data

    P0234 is the overboost code. Ford SSM 50564 lists P0234 and P0237 together for a turbo actuator fault on 2020-2022 Super Duty 6.7L trucks.

All Turbocharging, fuel pressure and EGR codes

Sources and review

  1. P0237 trouble code page — TroubleCodes.net
  2. P0237 OBD-II code — Kelley Blue Book
  3. GM PIP5927E: reduced power with DTC P0237 and/or P0299, damaged charge air inlet pipe connection at turbocharger — General Motors ,
  4. Ford SSM 50564: 2020-2022 Super Duty 6.7L with DTCs including P0237 (turbo variable vane actuator) — Ford Motor Company ,
  5. NHTSA complaint ODI 10575269 — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
  6. On-Board Diagnostic Trouble Codes (generic code title list) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
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