Powertrain, generic (extended)

P24CA Particulate Matter Sensor Temperature Circuit Intermittent

Check engine lightOn
EmissionsRelevant
Drive cycleRequired
Limp modeNo

P24CA is reserved for a PM sensor temperature reading that fails only now and then instead of staying out of range. No manufacturer documents this code publicly. For comparison, Ford's 2023 diesel summary treats any temperature signal outside 0.3 to 3 V for 2 s as P24C6, and GM's 25OBDG04A table uses a counter of 24 failures within 96 samples for P24C9, so short glitches can stay below those limits. CARB requires circuit faults of PM sensors to be detected. Intermittent faults of this kind usually come from a cracked solder joint, a connector that loosens with heat or a lead that chafes on the exhaust. The warning lamp may come and go, and while the reading is doubtful the soot filter check is put on hold. P24C6, P24C8 and P24C9 are the steady faults.

Likely causes

Connector loosening when hot
Lead chafing on the exhaust
Cracked joint inside the sensor lead

Symptoms

  • Malfunction indicator lamp coming and going
  • Particulate filter monitor does not complete

Repair estimate

DifficultyMediumDIY possible
Parts and labour€50–700
Time0.5–2.5 h

Typical range across vehicles; the real cost depends on what the testing finds.

Parts involved

particulate matter sensor

Related codes

P24C6P24C7P24C8P24C9

References: law.cornell.edu, fordservicecontent.com, gsi.ext.gm.com.