C0696 Diagnostic Trouble Code

C0696 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 C0696 diagnostic trouble code may include:

Faulty or damaged wiring
The engine oil will exhibit dilution from the ECUs attempts to increase engine temperature. Some vehicles advance the fuel injection timing slightly after top center to afterburn a small amount of fuel to increase exhaust temperatures. Some of this fuel enters the crankcase. When the ECU determines the necessity to regenerate the DPF, the service life of the oil be shortened significantly
Poor fuel economy
If the DPF is not cleared the ECU will revert to the "Limp Home Mode" until the situation is corrected

Possible Causes :

A large air leak at or near the number one oxygen sensor would also cause a lean mixture.
Faulty IMRC actuator relay (if equipped)
A large vacuum leak would cause a massive amount of un-metered air to enter the intake manifold resulting in an overly lean mixture.

Repair Processes :

If all testing has passed so far yet you still have the same code, check your scan tool and see if it can open and close the IMRC valve. 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. Look at the plug wires to make sure they are not burnt or laying on the exhaust.

Process Tips

Diagnostic trouble code C0696 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 C0696.

Fortunately, C0696 is a fairly common OBD code, meaning that it applies to all makes and models of vehicles made after 1996.

C0696 Trouble Code For Specific Cars

C0696 Ford Explorer V Memory Off Switch Circuit Short to Battery
C0696 Peugeot 403 EGRA Circuit Malfunction
C0696 Geely Haoqing O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 2 Sensor 3)
C0696 Chevrolet Vectra Engine Coolant sensor out of range/ECT Sensor Out Of Self Test Range
C0696 Honda City Pressure Control Solenoid C Stuck On
C0696 Marcos Mantula Transmission 4-Wheel Drive High Indicator Circuit Failure
C0696 Fiat 131 Knock Sensor 2 Circuit Low Input (Bank 2)