P242D — Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor Circuit High Bank 1 Sensor 3

P242D — Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor Circuit High Bank 1 Sensor 3. A fault in the sensor and actuator circuits. The car is usually drivable while you plan the repair. Typical causes: open or shorted wiring in the circuit, poor ground connection, control module driver fault.

powertrain (engine/transmission)

Is it safe to drive?

Short-term driving is OK In most cases the car remains drivable, possibly with reduced performance or a disabled auxiliary system. If symptoms include stalling, no-start or brake/steering warnings, treat it as urgent.

How to diagnose with an OBD scanner

Read the code and freeze frame Connect an OBD2 scanner, confirm P242D is stored, and save the freeze frame data — it shows engine conditions when the fault was detected.
Check for companion codes and TSBs Related codes often reveal the real root cause. Also check manufacturer technical service bulletins (TSB) for your make and model — many P0xxx issues have factory fixes or software updates. Search by VIN on the manufacturer site or nhtsa.gov.
Inspect wiring and connectors Visually inspect the wiring harness and connectors related to the exhaust gas temperature sensor circuit high bank 1 sensor 3 for damage, corrosion, chafing or poor contact.
Subsystem check Measure reference voltage, ground and signal continuity at the component connector.
Subsystem check Wiggle-test the harness while watching the signal in live data — dropouts reveal broken wires.
Verify the repair Clear the code, complete a full drive cycle including the conditions from the freeze frame, and confirm P242D does not return.

Approximate repair cost

Repair cost depends on which component actually failed. Typical scenarios for P242D (parts and labor, USD, independent shop rates): Replace the faulty sensor or actuator: $150–$500; Repair wiring or connectors: $80–$250; Control module repair: $300–$1,000. Overall, fixing P242D usually costs between $80 and $1,000. An accurate diagnosis before buying parts saves money — the most expensive scenario is rarely the first one to check.

Common questions

What does OBD2 code P242D mean?

What are the symptoms of P242D?

Drivers most often notice: possible limp mode depending on the affected component, Check Engine Light on, increased fuel consumption in some cases, the affected system operates intermittently or not at all.

What is the most common cause of P242D?

The most common causes are: open or shorted wiring in the circuit, poor ground connection, control module driver fault.

How do I diagnose P242D myself?

Start with a scan: confirm P242D, save the freeze frame and note any companion codes. Then inspect the wiring and connectors related to the sensor and actuator circuits, and verify the suspect component against live data before buying parts.

Is it safe to drive with P242D?

In most cases the car remains drivable, possibly with reduced performance or a disabled auxiliary system. If symptoms include stalling, no-start or brake/steering warnings, treat it as urgent.

What does P242D mean?

The engine control module sets P242D when it detects a fault in the sensor and actuator circuits. In practical terms: exhaust gas temperature sensor circuit high bank 1 sensor 3. The code belongs to the powertrain (engine/transmission) group of OBD2 codes.

In this definition, “Bank 1” is the side of the engine that contains cylinder 1 and “Sensor 3” is the downstream (after the catalytic converter) sensor. Mixing up banks and sensor positions is the most common DIY mistake with this code — verify the physical location before replacing anything.

To set P242D, the control module compares live readings of the sensor and actuator circuits against calibrated limits, usually over several drive cycles. Alongside the code it stores a freeze frame — a snapshot of rpm, load, coolant temperature and vehicle speed at the moment of failure. Reading that snapshot first saves diagnostic time.

Common symptoms of P242D

possible limp mode depending on the affected component
Check Engine Light on
increased fuel consumption in some cases
the affected system operates intermittently or not at all

What causes P242D?

faulty sensor or actuator of the affected circuit
blown fuse feeding the circuit
open or shorted wiring in the circuit
poor ground connection

How to diagnose P242D

Connect an OBD2 scanner, confirm P242D is stored, and save the freeze frame data — it shows engine conditions when the fault was detected.
Related codes often reveal the real root cause. Also check manufacturer technical service bulletins (TSB) for your make and model — many P0xxx issues have factory fixes or software updates. Search by VIN on the manufacturer site or nhtsa.gov.
Visually inspect the wiring harness and connectors related to the exhaust gas temperature sensor circuit high bank 1 sensor 3 for damage, corrosion, chafing or poor contact.
Measure reference voltage, ground and signal continuity at the component connector.
Wiggle-test the harness while watching the signal in live data — dropouts reveal broken wires.
Clear the code, complete a full drive cycle including the conditions from the freeze frame, and confirm P242D does not return.

How to fix P242D

Start with the cheapest and most common causes before replacing expensive parts:

Replace the faulty sensor or actuator — $150–$500
Repair wiring or connectors — $80–$250
Control module repair — $300–$1,000

How much does it cost to fix P242D?

Repair cost depends on which component actually failed. Typical scenarios for P242D (parts and labor, USD, independent shop rates):

Replace the faulty sensor or actuator: $150–$500
Repair wiring or connectors: $80–$250
Control module repair: $300–$1,000

Overall, fixing P242D usually costs between $80 and $1,000. An accurate diagnosis before buying parts saves money — the most expensive scenario is rarely the first one to check.

Can you drive with P242D?