C0286 Diagnostic Trouble Code

C0286 is a kind of OBD-II Diagnostic C-Chassis Diagnostic Trouble Code.

It is considered generic because it applies to all makes and models of vehicles, although specific repair steps may be different depending on your car model.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a C0286 diagnostic trouble code may include:

Fuel pressure too low
Rich or lean exhaust
Diminished fuel efficiency
The light may stay on or light intermittently as the DPF regenerates. The engine will be sluggish on acceleration.

Possible Causes :

Rough running engine due to misfiring plugs. Many engines have misfire codes to indicate the cylinder effected, such as P0307 for number 7.
Rarely - faulty Powertrain Control Module (PCM-programming required after replacement)
Faulty IMRC actuator/sensor

Repair Processes :

Look at the plug wires to make sure they are not burnt or laying on the exhaust. With the valve disconnected, the red voltmeter lead should be attached to the IMRC valve power wire and the black voltmeter lead connected to ground. Once located, visually inspect the connectors and wiring. Look for rubbing, scraping, bare wires, worn spots or melted plastic connectors.

Process Tips

Diagnostic trouble code C0286 is not difficult to diagnose and repair. Thus, it always pays to have a qualified technician to look after your vehicle should this error code arise.

Diagnosing this code requires the engine to be in good running shape, without unmetered air entering the engine. If other codes that relates to misfiring condition, lean running or air entering the engine is present, then you must first fix those error codes before C0286.

Fortunately, C0286 is a fairly common OBD code, meaning that it applies to all makes and models of vehicles made after 1996.

C0286 Trouble Code For Specific Cars

C0286 Packard 120 Downstream Heated O2 Sensors Swapped
C0286 Mitsubishi Grandis Autolamp On Circuit Failure
C0286 Mazda Hakaze Turbo Boost Pressure Low
C0286 De Soto Fireflite Hood Switch Circuit Short To Ground
C0286 Citroen Xanae Fuel Rail Pressure Sensor Circuit Intermittent
C0286 Peugeot Kart Engine Coolant Level Switch Circuit Short to Ground
C0286 Alfa Romeo 1900 ABS Power Relay Output Short Circuit To Battery