P236C flags combustion pressure in cylinder 12 above its allowed value. A public twelve-cylinder application does not exist. That a code of this kind need not involve a pressure sensor at all is shown by its cylinder-1 to -4 relatives P039B, P03A5, P03AF and P03B9 on Audi's 2015 S3 with the CYFB petrol engine: faulty ECM software logged misfires in its primary detection window, switched on the EPC lamp and shut a cylinder off (P130A00); new ECM software solved it. On a diesel with real pressure sensing, a dripping injector, too much pilot fuel or a sensor drifting upward are the usual suspects. High peaks strain pistons, rings and gasket, so cutting the cylinder with reduced power is a plausible protective reaction.
Medium severity. Can I keep driving?If the car is running normally, drive in moderation to a repair shop. If it loses power or another warning appears, do not continue.
Cylinder 12 is numbered according to the manufacturer: check your engine's manual before working on it.
Symptoms
- EPC or check engine lamp on
- Loss of power when the cylinder is switched off
- Harder combustion noise
Most likely causes
- Engine control software error (update available)
- Injector dripping or delivering too much pilot fuel
- Pressure sensor drifting upward
What to check, in order
Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.
Good to know
- Repair difficulty: medium
- It can trigger limp mode.
- It affects emissions.
What each character of P236C means
- P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
- 2: Generic code: same on every make
- 3: Ignition and misfires
- 6C: Specific fault in that system
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep driving with code P236C?
If the car is running normally, drive in moderation to a repair shop. If it loses power or another warning appears, do not continue.
What causes code P236C?
The most common causes are: engine control software error (update available); injector dripping or delivering too much pilot fuel; pressure sensor drifting upward.
Related codes
- P236BCylinder 12 Pressure Too Low
- P2367Cylinder 12 Pressure Sensor Circuit Range/Performance
- P236FCylinder 12 Combustion Performance
- P0312Cylinder 12 Misfire Detected
- P2362Cylinder 11 Pressure Too High
- P2358Cylinder 10 Pressure Too High
- P039BCylinder 1 Pressure Too High
Sources
- static.nhtsa.gov: MC 10153584 9999
- law.cornell.edu: 13 CCR 1968.2
- borgwarner.com: pressure sensor glow plugs
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.