What this code means
P0746 may mean the ECM or PCM is detecting an issue with the CVT drive pulley pressure control response.
What the vehicle may do
- The vehicle may show a transmission warning or malfunction indicator.
- The CVT may feel abnormal during acceleration.
- The vehicle may have slipping, flare, harsh engagement, or limited performance symptoms.
Possible fault areas
- Possible hydraulic pressure control concerns.
- Possible CVT drive pulley pressure control solenoid valve area concerns.
- Possible valve body concerns.
- Possible intermittent operating-condition-related concerns.
Diagnostic path
Opening context
On this 2010 to 2016 Honda CR-V with the 2.4 gas engine, P0746 points us toward the CVT drive pulley pressure control side of the transmission. In plain terms, the ECM or PCM may not be seeing the pressure control response it expects. The vehicle may show a transmission warning, abnormal acceleration feel, slipping or flare, or it may feel like the CVT is not controlling ratio and pressure normally. Broadly, this can involve the hydraulic pressure control side, the drive pulley pressure control solenoid valve area, the valve body, or an intermittent condition. For this code, the diagnostic path is about clearing the code, reproducing the drive conditions, and seeing whether P0746 duplicates.
Start clean and set up the monitor
Turn the vehicle to ON mode, then clear the DTC with the HDS. We want a clean starting point before we try to make the fault show itself again.
Reproduce the operating conditions
Next, test-drive the vehicle in D position or mode until vehicle speed reaches 37 mph (60 km/h). Slow down and stop the vehicle. Then accelerate from a stop at full throttle in D position or mode until vehicle speed reaches 37 mph (60 km/h). After that first drive pattern, turn the engine off, then repeat that same test-drive pattern again.
Check whether the failure duplicated
After the repeated drive, check for pending or confirmed DTCs with the HDS. The decision point is simple: is P0746 indicated again, or not?
If P0746 returns
If P0746 is indicated after that drive routine, the failure is duplicated. At that point, the diagnostic result calls out a faulty CVT drive pulley pressure control solenoid valve, with lower valve body replacement as the repair direction.
If P0746 does not return
If P0746 is not indicated, treat it as an intermittent failure. The system is OK at this time. If captured freeze data or an on-board snapshot is available for this code, try to reproduce the failure under those same captured conditions instead of guessing.
Takeaway
The key with P0746 is not to jump ahead. Clear it, run the specified D-position drive pattern twice, then let the pending or confirmed code result decide whether the failure is duplicated or intermittent. For more diagnostic training, visit stepdiagnostics.com.
Final check
This diagnosis often depends on whether the code can be duplicated under the specified drive conditions.
For more guided automotive diagnostics, visit STEP Diagnostics.
