CEL Code: P0546, need help
06-28-2003, 07:43 AM
#1
Guest
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CEL Code: P0546, need help
Im getting this CEL code, if anyone has had this or knows about it, lpease advise what i should do, this is what the printout said: Check ENG LAMP IS ON, CHECK FOR CODE, CODE PO546 EXHAUST GAS TEMP SESER CIRCUIT HIGH INPUT CHECK AND GROUN SIGNAL FROM ECM OUT OFF RANGE ALSO POSSIBLE SENSOR OR TURBO IS
RUNNING HOT. ADVISE." That is directly off the subaru paper. Im not going to have this fixed through subaru because i am compeltely fed up with their bullsh!t service (ive had a long history of problems with them since i bought the car), i figured the exhaust might be leaking (the car is running very hesitant, ecu is cutting feul it seems) i had the exhaust checked for leaks, none, the tech told me its probably a bad 02 sensor or egt sensor because that would cause the car to run lean and a CEL problem, unfortunately because the car is so new (mines an 02) subaru doesnt release many specs and he cant get a hold of an 02 sensor for me. Can anyoen confirm if this IS likely the problem? and would a performance shop be able to get a hand on an 02 sensor for my car?
Thx.
RUNNING HOT. ADVISE." That is directly off the subaru paper. Im not going to have this fixed through subaru because i am compeltely fed up with their bullsh!t service (ive had a long history of problems with them since i bought the car), i figured the exhaust might be leaking (the car is running very hesitant, ecu is cutting feul it seems) i had the exhaust checked for leaks, none, the tech told me its probably a bad 02 sensor or egt sensor because that would cause the car to run lean and a CEL problem, unfortunately because the car is so new (mines an 02) subaru doesnt release many specs and he cant get a hold of an 02 sensor for me. Can anyoen confirm if this IS likely the problem? and would a performance shop be able to get a hand on an 02 sensor for my car?
Thx.
06-28-2003, 08:02 AM
#2
VIP Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,646
Car Info: 02 WRX WRB
The most likely cause is a bad EGT sensor or the related wiring. Is your car stock, particularly the uppipe, or is your uppipe aftermarket?
If you have a catless uppipe with the stock EGT sensor still installed this is a common failure, they tend to go bad if the cat isn't there.
Note that this code doesn't mean high EGTs- it means a high electrical input (actually high resistance) to the EGT circuit of the ECU, which in fact corresponds to a LOW EGT. So the tech apparently doesn't understand this.
There is probably nothing wrong with your 02 sensor or you would have other codes. I'm not sure if this code alone would make the car run poorly but perhaps it does. As a test and temporary fix, you can disconnect the EGT sensor at the connector under the black cover (where the boost solenoid is), it is the one with two wires (the other one is the 02 sensor, leave that one alone), and install a 2.2K ohm resistor directly into the pins of the female connector that goes into the harness. If this eliminates the CEL and the car runs better you will know the EGT sensor is bad. Note the CEL may not go out right away unless you do a reset (disconnect battery), otherwise it should go out after driving the car a few times if the problem has been corrected.
If you do have a catless uppipe and the resistor fixes your problem, you can leave the resistor in place permanently since the EGT sensor is only needed to monitor the cat. In this case it would also be best to physically remove the sensor itself and plug the hole with a bolt. However if you have the stock uppipe w/cat the EGT sensor should be replaced with a new one for safety reasons, so the ECU can continue to monitor the temperature of the uppipe cat.
Of course it's possible there is also something else wrong with your car causing the poor running so you should have someone that knows what they are doing check it over.
If you have a catless uppipe with the stock EGT sensor still installed this is a common failure, they tend to go bad if the cat isn't there.
Note that this code doesn't mean high EGTs- it means a high electrical input (actually high resistance) to the EGT circuit of the ECU, which in fact corresponds to a LOW EGT. So the tech apparently doesn't understand this.
There is probably nothing wrong with your 02 sensor or you would have other codes. I'm not sure if this code alone would make the car run poorly but perhaps it does. As a test and temporary fix, you can disconnect the EGT sensor at the connector under the black cover (where the boost solenoid is), it is the one with two wires (the other one is the 02 sensor, leave that one alone), and install a 2.2K ohm resistor directly into the pins of the female connector that goes into the harness. If this eliminates the CEL and the car runs better you will know the EGT sensor is bad. Note the CEL may not go out right away unless you do a reset (disconnect battery), otherwise it should go out after driving the car a few times if the problem has been corrected.
If you do have a catless uppipe and the resistor fixes your problem, you can leave the resistor in place permanently since the EGT sensor is only needed to monitor the cat. In this case it would also be best to physically remove the sensor itself and plug the hole with a bolt. However if you have the stock uppipe w/cat the EGT sensor should be replaced with a new one for safety reasons, so the ECU can continue to monitor the temperature of the uppipe cat.
Of course it's possible there is also something else wrong with your car causing the poor running so you should have someone that knows what they are doing check it over.
06-30-2003, 10:06 AM
#3
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Thanks for the response, ok, i will try the EGT sensor test later today and post the results, and no i do not have an aftermarket uppipe, the only modification in my car right now is a cold air intake, but thats been there for a long time. (and yes i change the pod). Im going to try to have Turbo XS look at the car for me as well (their only 2 hours from me). If it is the EGT sensor, how much does a new one cost? assuming id have to replace it.
Thanks for the info.
Thanks for the info.
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