The P1445 code on Peugeot indicates a quantity of FAP additive deemed too high by the engine control unit. The term “too high” can be misleading: it does not necessarily refer to a physical excess of additive in the tank, but rather an inconsistency in the internal counter of the control unit. This distinction radically changes the approach to intervention, especially after refilling the additive tank.
FAP Additive Counter and Peugeot Control Unit: Why the P1445 Code Appears After a Refill
The additive system for Peugeot diesel engines (Eolys or Powerflex depending on the generation) is based on a cumulative counting principle. With each injection of additive into the fuel, the control unit increments an internal counter. This counter is supposed to reflect the total amount injected since the last reset.
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When a mechanic or an individual refills the additive tank without resetting this counter via the diagnostic tool, the control unit adds the old total to the new stock. It then estimates that the injected amount exceeds the coherent threshold relative to the mileage traveled and triggers the P1445 code.
This scenario is common during interventions outside the manufacturer’s network (auto centers, independent garages, refilling by the owner). By analyzing the errors of the Peugeot P1445 code, this procedural defect is consistently found as the primary triggering factor.
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Reset Sequence of the Additive System: Comparison of Common Errors
The most widespread confusion is treating the P1445 as a simple engine fault that can be cleared. Here is a comparison between common interventions and their actual results on the P1445 code.
| Intervention Performed | Effect on the P1445 Code | Medium-Term Result |
|---|---|---|
| Simple fault clearing (General reset) | The warning light temporarily goes off | Reappearance after a few trips |
| Reset of the additive counter via dedicated scenario | The control unit recalibrates the total | Permanent disappearance if the actual level is correct |
| Additive refill without any diagnostics | No effect on the existing code | Possible worsening of the counter/reality discrepancy |
| Refill + Counter reset + Fault clearing | Complete reset of the system | Resolution in the majority of cases |
Performing a simple fault clearing without executing the additive scenario is the main cause of P1445 recurrence. Several diagnostic tool suppliers explicitly mention this in their technical notes. The software must access the specific menu for the additive circuit, distinct from the general engine management menu.
Diagnostic Tools and Access to the Additive Scenario
Entry-level generic diagnostic tools often allow for clearing fault codes but do not always include the reset scenario for the additive counter specific to the PSA protocol. A tool compatible with Peugeot’s manufacturer functions is necessary to access this procedure.
Without this access, the mechanic ends up clearing a symptom without correcting the erroneous data in the control unit. The code returns after a few regenerations of the particulate filter.
Incompatible Additive Mixture: An Underestimated Trigger for P1445
Peugeot diesel engines have gradually transitioned from classic Eolys to new generation additives (such as Powerflex). These two families of products are not interchangeable. Their viscosity, chemical composition, and combustion profile differ.
When a tank containing a residue of Eolys receives a universal additive or a Powerflex (or vice versa), the control unit detects an injection profile inconsistent with the mileage. The consumption of additive no longer corresponds to the expected curve. The P1445 is triggered even though the physical level in the tank is correct.
- Check the exact reference of the prescribed additive for the concerned engine before any refill (the mention is found in the maintenance booklet or on the additive tank label under the vehicle)
- Never top off a partially filled tank with an additive from another family, even if both are marketed for PSA FAPs
- If in doubt about the product already present, a complete drain of the additive tank before refilling avoids mixing
Level Sensor and Additive Pump: When P1445 Masks a Hardware Failure
The P1445 code is not always related to a procedural error. Two physical components can cause the same code with a different mechanism.
Faulty Additive Pump
The pump that injects the additive into the fuel circuit can overdose if its regulation valve leaks or if its electrical supply is unstable. The control unit then records injected volumes higher than the setpoint, artificially raising the cumulative counter.
Additive Tank Level Sensor
A faulty level sensor transmits incorrect information to the control unit. If the sensor indicates a level that does not decrease despite the counted injections, the system interprets this inconsistency as an excess of additive.
- A diagnosis by reading real-time parameters allows comparing the level reported by the sensor with the actual level (physically verifiable on some models)
- Measuring the flow rate of the additive pump via the diagnostic tool can identify a mechanical overdose
- Replacing the pump or the sensor does not exempt from resetting the counter; otherwise, the code persists
The distinction between a procedural error and a hardware failure comes from reading the real-time data of the control unit. A P1445 that reappears after a properly executed reset points to a pump or sensor issue rather than a filling error. Clearing alone never permanently resolves a P1445 of hardware origin.