Severity and Symptoms
Since DPF restriction can lead to engine or fuel system damage, this code should be considered severe.
Symptoms of a P2463 code may include:
- Other DPF and DPF regeneration codes will likely accompany a stored P2463 code
- Excessive black smoke from the exhaust
- Inability to produce and maintain desired RPM levels
- Increased engine temperature
- Overheated DPF housing or other exhaust components
Possible causes of this engine code include:
- Excessive soot buildup due to insufficient DPF regeneration
- Faulty DPF pressure sensor
- Insufficient diesel exhaust fluid
- Incorrect diesel exhaust fluid
- Shorted or open wiring to the DPF injection system or exhaust pressure sensor
- Faulty PCM or PCM programming error
- Faulty exhaust pressure sensor
Diagnostic and Repair Procedures
A good starting point is always to check the technical service bulletins (TSBs) for your specific vehicle. Your problem may be a known issue with a known fix published by the manufacturer and can save you time and money when diagnosing.
A diagnostic scanner, a digital volt/ohmmeter (DVOM), and a reputable vehicle information source (like All Data) are just a few of the tools I would use to diagnose a stored P2463.
I start my diagnostic process by inspecting all wiring harnesses and connectors related to the system. I would carefully inspect harnesses that are located near hot exhaust components and sharp exhaust shields. Other DPF and DPF regeneration codes must be repaired before attempting to diagnose and repair a P2463 code.
I would proceed by connecting the scanner to the diagnostic port and retrieving all stored fault codes and freeze frame data. This information can be useful later, so I like to write it down before clearing the codes and testing the vehicle.
If the code immediately resets, use the DVOM and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations to test the DPF pressure sensor. If the sensor does not meet the manufacturer’s resistance specifications, it must be replaced.
If the manufacturer-recommended DPF regeneration procedures have not been followed, suspect an actual DPF restriction due to excessive soot buildup. Initiate the regeneration procedure and see if it corrects the excessive soot buildup condition.
Additional Diagnostic Notes:
- DPF pressure sensor pipes/lines are prone to clogging and collapsing
- Incorrect/insufficient diesel exhaust fluid is a very common cause of DPF regeneration failure/soot buildup
- If the vehicle in question is equipped with a passive regeneration system, carefully follow the manufacturer’s DPF maintenance intervals to prevent excessive soot buildup
OBD2 Fault Codes
- P2463
- P2463-00
- P2463-09
- P2463-12
- P2463-21
- P2463-22
Technical Terms
- Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)
- Soot Accumulation
- DPF Regeneration
- DPF Differential Pressure Sensor
- Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
Vehicle Makes and Models
- Mercedes-Benz
- Audi
- Volkswagen
- Ford
- Peugeot
- Citroën
- Renault
Websites and Forums
- Forum-mercedes.com
In French
- Particulate Filter
- DPF
- Soot
- Clogging
- Fault
- Engine Light
- Diagnostic
- Repair
In English
- Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)
- Soot Accumulation
- DPF Regeneration
- DPF Differential Pressure Sensor
- Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)