Bryant mini split error code PC 46
Compressor speed out of control. Also shown as PC46.
- TypeProtection
- SystemCompressor / inverter
- Can I fix it?Technician job
- Applies toindoor display, four-character codes (newer units)
What PC 46 means on a Bryant
The compressor speed the drive measured did not match what it commanded. The drive lost sync with the motor.
On this platform, PC 46 is a protection: the system stopped or throttled itself to prevent damage; many clear on their own once conditions return to normal.
Common causes
- A failing compressor.
- A failed inverter drive board.
- Unstable supply voltage.
- A refrigerant overcharge or liquid flooding.
How to fix it yourself
Do the reset and the visual checks, but the underlying repair needs a technician with a meter and the service manual.
- Reset the system: switch the breaker (or the outdoor disconnect) off, wait a full five minutes so the boards fully discharge, then switch it back on and restart from the remote.
- If you own a multimeter and are comfortable using it, measure the supply voltage at the outdoor unit's L1 and L2 terminals with the unit running. A 230 V system should read roughly 208 to 253 VAC.
- Look at the outdoor unit: clear leaves, cottonwood fluff, snow or ice from the coil and make sure the fan can spin freely and nothing is stacked against the cabinet.
Switch off power at the breaker before opening either unit. Capacitors in the outdoor unit hold a charge for several minutes after power is cut.
When to call a technician
Technician diagnosis of the drive and compressor.
Which Bryant units show PC 46
This page applies to Bryant Preferred 619P*B / 538P*B high wall, 619RC / 538PR cassette and Bryant multi-zone units on the indoor display, four-character codes (newer units). Bryant's own documentation lists PC 46 as "Compressor speed out of control", the same definition used across the Midea platform (four-character codes) it is built on. If your unit shows a code with a different shape (for example a four-character code, or a plain number), it is from a different table; use the lookup with your exact code.
Where Bryant shows this code
indoor display, four-character codes (newer units): The display shows a two-letter prefix and a two-character suffix, either together (EH60) or alternating (EH, then 60). Write both parts down; the suffix is what identifies the fault. EH and EL are indoor-side faults, EC is an outdoor-side fault, and PC is an outdoor protection: the unit stopped itself to prevent damage.
Other Bryant codes
Same part of the system as PC 46:
PC 46 on other brands
The same characters do not always mean the same thing. Check the brand on your unit.
- Pioneer PC 46 Compressor speed out of control
Questions people ask
Can I reset a Bryant PC 46 code myself?
Yes. Turn the system off at the breaker for five minutes, then restart it. If PC 46 comes back, the fault is real and needs the checks above.
Is it safe to keep running a Bryant showing PC 46?
Not repeatedly. A protection code means the unit stopped itself to prevent damage, and resetting it over and over can turn a cheap repair into a compressor failure. Reset once, check the basics, and stop if it returns.
What will a technician check for PC 46?
Technician diagnosis of the drive and compressor. Ask for the measurements, not just a parts quote.
Sources
- Bryant 619P*B High Wall Ductless Owner's Manual OM-619PB-06 (self-diagnostic codes)
- Carrier 40MAQ / 38MAQ and 38MHRB service manuals (identical Midea-built equipment)
Updated September 2026. Codes and definitions vary by model year. If your manual disagrees with this page, your manual wins. Send a correction.