Low signal at turbo wastegate solenoid.
P0245 — also written PO245, P 0245, 0245 — is the OBD-II code for turbo wastegate solenoid 'a' low. Same code, same fix: this page covers every spelling of it.
The ECU is seeing a weak signal from the boost control valve—basically, your turbo's brain isn't talking to its muscles. It's a classic plague on Vauxhall CDTi and Ford EcoBoost engines.
P0245 is a engine fault code, typically costing £80–£400 to put right in a UK garage.
What P0245 actually feels like to drive
- The car feels 'flat' as a pancake, like the turbo isn't there at all.
- Engine goes into 'limp mode' the second you try to overtake on a dual carriageway.
- A distinct 'Service ESP' or 'Service Engine Soon' message on the dash.
- Fine at low speeds around town, but won't go over 60mph on the motorway.
- A weird buzzing noise from under the bonnet after you turn the engine off.
What causes P0245?
- Solenoid failure
- Open circuit
UK vehicles that throw P0245 most often
- Vauxhall Insignia A 2.0 CDTi (A20DTH/DTJ) 2008-2015
- Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost (M1DA) 2012-2017
- Vauxhall Astra J 1.7 CDTi 2009-2014
- BMW 3 Series (E90/F30) 320d (N47 engine)
- Volkswagen Golf Mk6/Mk7 2.0 TDI (CRBC/CUNA)
- Land Rover Freelander 2 2.2 SD4/TD4 2010-2014
How P0245 is fixed
- Solenoid swap
The P0245 misdiagnosis that wastes money
I see a lot of lads jump straight to a 'turbo failure' diagnosis, telling the customer they need a new blower at £1,200. It's rarely that drastic. They also tend to throw cheap £15 eBay solenoids at it, which usually fail within a week because the resistance is wrong. Most of the time, the P0245 isn't even the solenoid itself—it's the wiring loom chafing where it passes the gearbox or a mouse has had a nibble on the harness behind the engine block. Check your fuses first!
What a UK garage should charge for P0245
A diagnostic session at a decent indie will set you back £60 to £85. For the part, a genuine Pierburg solenoid (the ones Vauxhall and VW use) is usually £45 to £90 from a factor like Euro Car Parts or GSF. Labour is about an hour, so another £60 to £100 depending on where in the UK you are. If you go to a main dealer, expect a bill closer to £350 or £400 once they've added their 'premium' labour rates and VAT.
P0245 repair cost in the UK
Most P0245 repairs land between £80–£400 including parts and labour. The spread is wide because the cheap fix (a sensor, a hose, a leak) and the expensive fix (a major component) throw the same code — which is why a proper diagnosis before parts are bought saves the most money.
Bob's tip on P0245
If you've got an Astra or an Insignia, ask the garage to do a 'continuity and load test' on the wiring to the solenoid before they buy the part. If they just scan it and say 'you need a new boost valve', they might be guessing. A proper shop will use a vacuum pump (like a Mityvac) to see if the wastegate actuator is actually moving. Also, insist on an OEM-spec Pierburg or Bosch replacement; the cheap no-name ones cause the ECU to throw a fit because the signal voltage isn't identical.
Can you drive with P0245?
Drivable.
Urgency: medium.