Land Rover Velar P24C6-00 Particulate Matter Sensor Fix
If you’ve ever had the engine management light come on in your car, you’ll know how frustrating it can be. For drivers of a 2019 Range Rover Velar, the P24C6-00 fault code might be the culprit. This error is linked to the particulate matter (PM) sensor. In this post, we’ll walk through what this sensor does, why it fails, and how replacing it resolves the issue.
What’s a Particulate Matter Sensor?
A particulate matter sensor measures the level of soot or particles passing through your car’s diesel particulate filter (DPF). For Euro 6-compliant vehicles, these sensors are crucial for monitoring emissions. Unlike older models, newer cars will trigger a fault if even a small amount of soot bypasses the DPF.
These sensors are advanced tools. Think of them like a laser barrier: when soot disrupts the beam, the sensor picks it up, logs a fault, and may activate the engine management light.
Common Symptoms of PM Sensor Failure
When the PM sensor in the Range Rover Velar fails, you’ll likely notice:
* Engine management light on the dashboard.
* Persistent fault codes, even after clearing them.
* The fault returning after a few miles of driving.
In this case, the main fault code displayed was P24C6-00: Particulate Matter Sensor Temperature Circuit. This code points to an issue with the sensor’s integrated temperature circuit.
Diagnosing the Issue
The first step in this process was connecting the diagnostic tool to the vehicle. Using the scan tool, the fault code was identified and repeatedly cleared to test whether it would return. Sure enough, the fault reappeared after a short drive, confirming an issue with the particulate matter sensor.
A critical observation here is that while some older Euro 5 vehicles may tolerate minor DPF damage as long as the system stays within range, Euro 6 vehicles are much stricter. Even small amounts of soot bypassing the DPF can cause these sensors to flag faults, whether due to tighter regulations or manufacturers’ designs.
Tools and Equipment for Replacing the Sensor
The faulty sensor needed to be removed and replaced with a new one. A specialised tool, a self-adjusting 19-24mm spanner, made removing the old sensor straightforward. For this sensor, a 24mm size was required.
Before fitting the new sensor, it’s essential to check the power, grounds, and signal at the plug to ensure everything is functioning correctly.
Replacing the Sensor
After removing the old PM sensor, the replacement process began. Attention to detail is key during reinstallation, ensuring the new part is correctly connected and secured. Once the new sensor was fitted, the diagnostic tool was used again to check for any necessary calibrations or adaptations.
In this case, no additional settings needed resetting in the system. The only step remaining was to clear the original fault code, take the vehicle on a test drive, and ensure the code didn’t return.
Post-Repair Results
After completing repairs, the Range Rover Velar was taken for a short test drive of about 5 or 6 miles. This was crucial to ensure the system had time to monitor the new sensor without triggering the fault code again.
Upon rescanning the car with the diagnostic tool, no faults appeared. This result confirmed the repair was successful, and the engine management light remained off.
Why Do PM Sensors Fail?
In many cases, PM sensor faults are linked to minor damage in the DPF. As newer cars demand higher levels of precision, even slight issues can cause the sensor to misread. For example:
* Soot bypassing the DPF: Can disturb the laser inside the PM sensor.
* Sensor wear or circuit failure: Temperature-related components in the sensor can also fail over time.
Interestingly, while older Euro 5 models could tolerate some soot bypass without throwing a fault, Euro 6 systems are far stricter. Whether due to government regulations or manufacturer profit motives, this increased sensitivity means there’s little room for error.
Conclusion
The P24C6-00 fault code on the Range Rover Velar might seem intimidating, but resolving it is straightforward with the right tools and a methodical approach. By identifying the faulty particulate matter sensor, replacing it, and retesting the vehicle, the issue was fully resolved. If you’re facing similar issues, remember that emissions systems on modern vehicles are highly sensitive and often require precise repairs to keep everything running smoothly.
If this guide helped you, share it with anyone who might need a hand with their Range Rover Velar!