How to fix a P2002 fault code
P2002 can come from a damaged filter, a faulty pressure sensor or a filter that's been tampered with, and each one has a different fix. A £100 + VAT diagnostic at your home or workplace tells you which one you're paying for.
Fix options for P2002 compared
| Fix | When it's the answer | Where it's done | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile diagnostics | Always first, to find which part has set P2002 | Your home or workplace | £100 + VAT |
| New pressure sensor or sensor pipes | Readings show a failed sensor, or pipes that are split, blocked or swapped | Garage | Garage quote |
| DPF cleaning | Soot readings show a blockage alongside P2002 | Your home or workplace | £275 + VAT |
| New DPF | The filter is cracked, melted or has been emptied | Garage or dealer | Often over £1,000 fitted, depending on the vehicle |
| DPF delete (software) | The filter can't be saved by cleaning | Your home or workplace | £220 + VAT |
What P2002 means
The code's official wording is Diesel particulate filter efficiency below threshold (bank 1). On most diesels, the ECU has seen less pressure difference across the filter than a working DPF creates, so it concludes the filter isn't trapping soot as it should.
What causes P2002
- A cracked or melted filter, often after a regeneration that ran too hot
- A faulty DPF differential pressure sensor
- Sensor pipes that have split, blocked with soot or been refitted the wrong way round
- A filter that has been emptied or removed, sometimes before the current owner bought the vehicle
- Damaged wiring or a corroded connector at the sensor
Symptoms you may notice
Plenty of owners see nothing more than the engine management or DPF light. A cracked filter lets soot through instead of clogging, so power often feels normal and P2002 gets ignored. A sooty tailpipe that used to stay clean is a clue.
When the sensor is to blame, regenerations can start at odd times or not at all. The fan may run on after you switch off, or the code may arrive with a sensor code such as P2453.
Using the vehicle with P2002
Most vehicles carry on as normal with P2002 for a while, though some reduce power. The lit warning light is an MOT fail on its own. A sensor that misreads can also let soot build unnoticed until limp mode or a code like P242F follows.
What happens on a P2002 visit
Book and confirm the price
Diagnostics is £100 + VAT, carried out at your home or workplace.
Codes and readings
We read stored and pending codes, then check DPF pressure, soot load and the sensor's live figures with the engine running.
The answer
You'll know whether the sensor, its pipes or the filter itself is at fault. If soot is part of it, we can clean the filter there and then for £275 + VAT.
A quote before any work
For a sensor or a new filter, you leave with a clear diagnosis for your garage. The £220 + VAT DPF delete is another option.
How much does it cost to fix P2002?
It depends what set it. A sensor or pipe sits at the cheaper end, while a new DPF is often over £1,000 fitted, depending on the vehicle. The £100 + VAT diagnostic shows which you're facing.
Is it worth fixing P2002 on an older or high-mileage vehicle?
Usually, because a sensor or pipe fault costs far less than most vehicles are worth. If the filter itself has failed, weigh the garage's quote against the vehicle's value first.
Will replacing the pressure sensor always clear P2002?
No. With a cracked filter or split pipes, a new sensor reads the same low pressure and the code comes straight back. Check the readings before buying one.
Can you sort P2002 at my home or workplace?
We can diagnose it there and clean the filter on the spot if soot readings call for it. Fitting a sensor or a filter is garage work, and we'll tell you which part to ask for.
What about P2003?
P2003 is the same fault on bank 2, the second side of engines with two exhaust banks, such as some V6 diesels. Its official wording is Diesel particulate filter efficiency below threshold (bank 2), and it's checked and fixed the same way as P2002.
Can a DPF delete be used to clear P2002 on a road car?
No. A DPF delete is for off-road and export vehicles only, and our guide to whether DPF removal is legal sets out the rules.
Book the right fix for P2002
Tell us the registration and any other codes showing, and we'll confirm the price and a time that suits you before anything is booked in.
More fault codes explained
Eccles, Manchester M30 0SF