Cylinders 11 and 12 exist only on V12 engines, for example BMW's V12 in the 7 and 8 Series, Mercedes-Benz's M120 and its successors, and the V12s of Ferrari, Lamborghini and Aston Martin. P2346 reports that cylinder 11 has knocked above the threshold that the knock control allows in its crank-angle window. With twelve combustions per two crank turns the windows are short, so the module depends on clean crank and sensor signals to assign knock correctly; a fault on the bank sensor or noise from nearby parts can shift the blame. No manufacturer was found that publishes P2346; GM and Saab file a lone knocking cylinder under P0324. Retarded spark on one cylinder costs some power, but continuing knock can destroy the piston.
Medium severity. Can I keep driving?You can drive in moderation without pushing the engine. If you hear knocking, avoid full-throttle acceleration.
Cylinder 11 is numbered according to the manufacturer: check your engine's manual before working on it.
Symptoms
- MIL on
- Slight loss of power
- Possibly audible pinging
Most likely causes
- Deposits or hot spots in cylinder 11
- Fuel below the required octane rating
- Disturbed crank or knock sensor signal shifting the cylinder assignment
What to check, in order
Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.
Good to know
- Repair difficulty: medium
- It affects emissions.
What each character of P2346 means
- P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
- 2: Generic code: same on every make
- 3: Ignition and misfires
- 46: Specific fault in that system
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep driving with code P2346?
You can drive in moderation without pushing the engine. If you hear knocking, avoid full-throttle acceleration.
What causes code P2346?
The most common causes are: deposits or hot spots in cylinder 11; fuel below the required octane rating; disturbed crank or knock sensor signal shifting the cylinder assignment.
Related codes
- P2345Cylinder 10 Above Knock/Combustion Vibration Sensor Threshold
- P2347Cylinder 12 Above Knock/Combustion Vibration Sensor Threshold
- P0324Knock/Combustion Vibration Control System Error
- P0325Knock/Combustion Vibration Sensor A Circuit
- P0311Cylinder 11 Misfire Detected
Sources
- en.wikipedia.org: V12 engine
- saabwisonline.com: dtc p0324 p0326 p0331 p06b6 or p06b7
- en.wikipedia.org: Engine knocking
- law.cornell.edu: 13 CCR 1968.2
Values and procedures vary by manufacturer. If it affects brakes, steering, fuel or high voltage, see a professional. Updated: 2026-11-04. How we build these pages.