Emissions control: EGR, DPF, catalytic converter and AdBlueGeneric OBD-II codeUrgency: Garage soon
Code P2033: exhaust temperature sensor (bank 1, sensor 2)
P2033 means: exhaust gas temperature sensor circuit, high input (bank 1, sensor 2).[1][2][3] The engine ECU has detected that the second exhaust gas temperature (EGT) sensor on bank 1 is giving a higher voltage than expected. It is a heat-sensitive resistor that converts the exhaust temperature into a voltage for the ECU. According to TaT, the code is set when that signal exceeds the expected range, around 3.3 V or more for more than one second.[1][2][3]
What code P2033 means
The engine ECU has detected that the second exhaust gas temperature (EGT) sensor on bank 1 is giving a higher voltage than expected. It is a heat-sensitive resistor that converts the exhaust temperature into a voltage for the ECU. According to TaT, the code is set when that signal exceeds the expected range, around 3.3 V or more for more than one second.[1][2][3]
Where sensor 2 sits depends on the engine. CarParts places it near the catalytic converter; TaT says it is after sensor 1, between different exhaust components depending on whether it is a diesel or a turbo petrol; and the workshop manual for a Toyota diesel places it before the particulate filter (sensor 1 before the CCo catalytic converter, and sensor 3 after the filter). That manual sets the code at more than 4.95 V for 3 seconds or more, with the engine warm: the threshold depends on the manufacturer.[1][2][4]
The ECU uses that temperature to protect the catalytic converter and, on diesels, the turbo and the particulate filter: according to HELLA, it needs it to control the mixture or the filter regeneration, and according to Bosch, it protects the turbo and catalytic converters from overheating and allows the filter to be regenerated effectively.[5][6]
It is a generic OBD-II code (P2 codes are generic), so it means the same on any make; what changes from one engine to another is the most likely cause.[7]
Original definition (SAE J2012): Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor Circuit High Bank 1 Sensor 2[1][2][3]
Codes from the same family
They indicate the same problem in a specific cylinder, bank or sensor. Causes, symptoms and diagnosis are those on this page.
Causes of P2033 and its family
From most to least likely, according to the sources.
- 1Loose, corroded or deteriorated connectors or terminals.[1][3]
- 2Broken wires, wires with no insulation or wires shorted to earth.[1][3]
- 3Faulty exhaust temperature sensor.[1][3][4]
- 4An exhaust that has been modified or fitted without provision for the temperature sensor, or with the catalytic converter and sensor removed.[1][3]
- 5Faulty engine ECU: an uncommon cause.[1][3][4]
Symptoms
- Engine warning light on the instrument cluster.[1][3]Engine warning light: faults that cause it
- Particulate filter warning light on in a diesel.[3]DPF warning light: faults that cause it
- Reduced engine performance; PartsAvatar associates it with a clogged particulate filter.[1][3]Less power: faults that cause it
- Higher consumption from longer particulate filter regenerations, according to HELLA for failures of this type of sensor.[5]Uses more fuel: faults that cause it
How to diagnose P2033
In order: from the most likely and cheapest to check to the most expensive.
- 1Read the code with a diagnostic tool and look at the temperature given by sensor 2 in the live data. HELLA says that an absurd value, such as -40 °C, points to a broken wire or a faulty sensor. If your car also has sensor 1 on bank 1, compare the two readings.[4][5][10]
- 2Visually inspect the sensor, its connector and the wiring: loose or corroded terminals, broken wires, damaged insulation and areas near the exhaust heat.[1][3][5]
- 3PartsAvatar suggests unplugging the sensor and checking on the diagnostic tool that the voltage short disappears, and ruling out each possible cause by clearing the code and repeating the test after each attempt.[3]
- 4Measure the wiring and the sensor with a multimeter following your car's manual. The Toyota manual asks for less than 1 Ω in the wires between the sensor and the ECU and 10 kΩ or more of insulation to earth.[1][4]
- 5Only if the wiring, connector and power supply are fine, replace the sensor with one of the same part number, to the tightening torque the manufacturer specifies. The ECU is the last step, once the sensor and wiring pass.[4][5]
Can I keep driving with P2033?
Garage soon
The sources do not agree on the severity. CarParts recommends diagnosing it immediately to avoid further faults; PartsAvatar associates the code with a low-power condition caused by a clogged particulate filter; and European Car Parts, in its page for P2031 (the same circuit, without specifying high or low), states that it is not safe to keep driving because of the risk of damaging the exhaust or the engine. Bosch points out that these sensors protect the turbo and catalytic converters from overheating. It is best to have it checked soon, especially on a diesel with a particulate filter.[1][3][6][11]
Documented faults related to P2033
Known faults of specific engines and cars, with their repair cost, the affected years and their sources.
Engine sensors: the most serious faults by engine and car
- High severityFrequency: Occasional2.0 DTI and 2.2 DTIVP44 injection pump and air mass meter failureGerman Wikipedia documents recurring failures of the Bosch VP44 injection pump and the air mass meter in the early years of this engine. An owner testimony for this engine describes the pump being replaced at 192,500 km, at a cost the owner calls «prohibitive».
- Medium severityFrequency: Common2.0 TDIClogged particulate filter or faulty pressure sensorThe 2.0 TDI's particulate filter clogs if the car mostly makes short journeys, because it never gets to regenerate; sometimes the fault is just the differential pressure sensor. Cleaning it costs around €200 and replacing it, €800 to €3,000.Repair (garage): €800–€3,000
- Medium severityFrequency: Common1.4 and 1.6 8vCrankshaft position sensor failure (TDC sensor)The crankshaft position sensor (capteur PMH, or TDC sensor) appears repeatedly in the reliability sources for the Clio II, the Kangoo I and the Dacia Logan I with this engine, with hard cold starting or stalling as the main symptoms. It is a cheap part, but the failure can leave you stranded.
- Medium severityFrequency: Common1.4 and 1.6 16vCrankshaft position sensor failureThe crankshaft position sensor (capteur PMH) appears repeatedly in the reliability sources for almost every generation with this engine, with hard cold starting, stalling or the car cutting out unexpectedly. It is a cheap part, but the failure can leave you stranded.
Wiring, connectors and short circuits: the most serious faults by engine and car
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW N62 / N63Additional turbo coolant pump with a risk of short circuit and fireIn 2011 BMW recalled 5, 6 and 7 Series, X5 and X6 models built between 2007 and 2011 because of the additional turbo coolant pump: moisture, a short circuit and, in extreme cases, a fire. In 2012 there was another campaign for a crack in the pump, with a more robust version.
- High severityFrequency: Occasional1.3 TCeBlown fuel pump fuseOn the Renault Captur II and Clio V with the 1.3 TCe engine, a 20-amp fuse can blow and leave the car without an engine. According to L'argus, in April 2021 this fault still had no factory fix; the official service centre's diagnosis includes checking, and sometimes replacing, the catalytic converter.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalM264/M254Poorly tightened 48 V earth wiring in the mild-hybrid system (fire risk)Mercedes-Benz has issued several recalls (2022-2025) because the 12 V and 48 V earth connections of some cars with a 48 V system may be poorly tightened: resistance rises, the connection heats up and a fire cannot be ruled out. The official workshop checks them and repairs them if necessary in an hour or more.
- High severityFrequency: Occasional1.9 TDIUnit injector tappet wear and injector wiring damageOn the unit injector system, the tappets that operate the injectors can wear if the oil is not changed on time, and the injector wiring can be damaged by contact with oil, causing misfires or loss of power.
- Critical severityFrequency: CommonRover 75Seat SRS connector fault with airbag and seatbelt warning light onAuto Express warns that the Rover 75's seat SRS connector can cause the airbags to fail, and dealers were fixing it with revised connectors. The Dutch APK inspection puts the airbag or seatbelt fault warning among the most frequent defects across almost all series.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalAlfa Romeo GiuliettaShort circuit from badly routed wiring that can prevent gear shifting (KBA campaign, 2010-2015)Yes: according to Germany's KBA, on Alfa Romeo Giulietta cars built between 2010 and 2015 inadequate cable routing could cause a short circuit and, as a result, gear-shift failure.
Particulate filter (DPF/FAP): the most serious faults by engine and car
- High severityFrequency: Very frequentOM651EGR and particulate filter clogging, and emissions software updatesThe particulate filter and EGR clog up with short journeys, as on any diesel with these systems. In addition, Germany's KBA required software updates on several models with this engine between 2018 and 2021 because of a function that reduced EGR outside a temperature range.Repair (garage): €800–€2,500
- High severityFrequency: Common1.3 MultijetIncomplete particulate filter regenerations and oil dilutionIn heavy urban use, with short journeys that do not let the particulate filter regeneration finish, unburnt diesel passes into the sump and dilutes the oil; the level can rise on the dipstick and the oil loses its ability to lubricate. Repeated many times, it speeds up engine wear.
- High severityFrequency: Common2.0 HDiDPF clogging on additive-type systems (Eolys/cerine)The additive-type diesel particulate filter (DPF) of the 2.0 HDi clogs relatively easily on short journeys, especially on the 107/110 and 136-140 hp versions. The anti-pollution warning light comes on and, if ignored, the car loses power and may end up needing a new DPF.
- High severityFrequency: Common1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet IISaturated diesel particulate filter (DPF) from incomplete regenerationsIn urban use with short journeys, the particulate filter does not manage to complete its regeneration and becomes saturated; garages recommend a weekly motorway run to avoid it. The filter itself is among the weak points flagged in the 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II after a certain mileage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between P2031, P2032 and P2033?
All three point to the circuit of the second exhaust temperature sensor on bank 1. P2031 is the general circuit fault, P2032 indicates a low signal and P2033 a high signal. In the manual for a Toyota diesel, P2032 is set below 0.2 V and P2033 above 4.95 V for 3 seconds or more; other manufacturers use other thresholds.[2][4][8][10]
What is the difference between P2033 and P0546?
Both indicate a high signal from the bank 1 exhaust temperature sensor, but on different sensors: P0546 is sensor 1 and P2033 is sensor 2. In the Toyota manual, sensor 1 is before the CCo catalytic converter and sensor 2 is before the particulate filter.[1][4]
Can I drive with code P2033?
The sources do not agree. CarParts recommends diagnosing it immediately and European Car Parts (in its page for P2031) says it is not safe to keep driving; PartsAvatar mentions a low-power condition caused by the particulate filter. The prudent course is to take it to a garage soon and not to prolong use of the car.[1][3][11]
How is P2033 related to the particulate filter?
Diesels with a particulate filter use exhaust temperature sensors to control its regeneration. If the sensor fails, HELLA lists as effects the filter warning light, more frequent or longer regenerations, higher consumption and loss of power caused by an erroneous detection of how full the filter is.[3][5][6]
Do you have to replace the sensor if P2033 appears?
Not necessarily. The code points to the sensor circuit, which includes its wiring and its connector; CarParts and PartsAvatar also cite the ECU among the causes. The connectors and wires are checked first and the circuit is measured, and only then is the sensor replaced.[1][3][4]
Does P2033 mean the same on all makes?
Yes as far as the definition goes: codes starting with P2 are generic OBD-II codes. Each manufacturer decides the voltage threshold at which it sets the code and where it places sensor 2.[2][4][7]
Will I pass the MOT with code P2033?
If the code has switched on the engine warning light, no: with that light on, the inspection records a serious defect, and on Euro 5 and Euro 6 cars the ITV (Spain's roadworthiness inspection, similar to the MOT) also reads the OBD diagnostic system. Repair the fault before you go; clearing the code just before the inspection does not help either, because it counts as a serious defect.[12]
Not sure what is wrong with your car? Describe what you notice in the symptom diagnosis or see all fault codes.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- P2033 Code: Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor Circuit High Bank 1 Sensor 2CarParts.com · Technical documentation · consulted 4 October 2026
- P2033 — Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor Circuit High Bank 1 Sensor 2The Automotive Technician (TaT) · Technical documentation · consulted 4 October 2026
- PartsAvatar.ca - Solution of OBD Code Error P2033PartsAvatar · Technical documentation · consulted 4 October 2026
- ECD System, Diagnostic DTC: P0545, P0546, P2032, P2033, P242C, P242D (copia de un manual de taller de Toyota)corolla-club.ru · Technical documentation · consulted 4 October 2026
- Checking the exhaust gas temperature sensorHELLA (HELLA Tech World) · Manufacturer · consulted 4 October 2026
- Why are Exhaust Gas Temperature sensors required in modern diesel systems - EGTBosch Auto Parts · Manufacturer · consulted 4 October 2026
- On-board diagnosticsWikipedia · Other source · consulted 4 October 2026
- Guide To P2032 OBD Error Code SolutionsPartsAvatar · Technical documentation · consulted 4 October 2026
- P2032 – Exhaust gas temperature (EGT) sensor 2, bank 1 – circuit lowTroubleCodes.net · Other source · consulted 4 October 2026
- P2031 OBD Error Code: Problem & SolutionsPartsAvatar · Technical documentation · consulted 4 October 2026
- Engine Fault Code P2031 - European Car PartsEuropean Car Parts · Technical documentation · consulted 4 October 2026
- Desmontando mitos: ¿puede pasar mi coche la ITV con el testigo de «avería motor» encendido?Diariomotor · Motoring press · published 8 March 2021 · consulted 2 October 2026 · in Spanish