How severe is this DTC?
The severity of this code can vary significantly from moderate to severe depending on the specific symptoms of the malfunction. A misfire requires immediate attention as it can cause permanent damage to internal engine components.
What are some symptoms of the code?
Symptoms of a P3424 trouble code may include:
- Increased fuel consumption
- Poor engine performance
- Engine misfires
- Service engine soon light
- Check engine light illuminated
What are some common causes of the code?
Causes
of this P3424 code may include:
- Faulty variable timing solenoid
- Low engine oil level or pressure
- Restricted oil passage
- Faulty or damaged wiring
- Corroded, damaged, or loose connector
- Faulty ECM
What are the troubleshooting steps for P3424?
The first step in the troubleshooting process for any malfunction is to search for Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for the specific vehicle by year, model, and engine. This can save you time and money as it’s essentially a known fix for a known issue.
The second step is to check the engine oil condition and confirm it’s maintained at the proper level. Then locate all components associated with the cylinder 1 exhaust valve control circuit and look for obvious physical damage. Based on the specific vehicle, this circuit may incorporate multiple components, including the variable timing solenoid, switches, fault indicators, and the ECM. Perform a thorough visual inspection to verify that the associated wiring shows no obvious defects such as scraping, rubbing, bare wires, or burns. Next, check connectors and connections for security, corrosion, and damaged pins. Consult specific vehicle technical data to verify configuration and identify each component incorporated in the cylinder 1 exhaust valve control circuit.
Advanced Steps
Advanced steps become very vehicle-specific and require appropriate advanced equipment to operate accurately. These procedures require a digital multimeter and vehicle-specific technical references. In this situation, an oil pressure gauge may also facilitate the troubleshooting process to confirm an oil passage restriction.
Voltage Checks
Reference voltage and acceptable ranges may vary depending on the specific vehicle and circuit configuration. Specific technical data will include troubleshooting charts and the proper sequence to follow to help you establish an accurate diagnosis.
If this process identifies the absence of a power source or ground, continuity tests may be required to verify the integrity of wiring, connectors, and other components. Continuity tests should always be performed with power disconnected from the circuit, and normal readings for wiring and connections should be 0 ohms resistance. Resistance or lack of continuity indicates faulty wiring that is open, shorted, or corroded and should be repaired or replaced.
What are common repairs for this code?
- Replacement of variable valve timing solenoid
- Cleaning corrosion from connectors
- Repairing or replacing faulty wiring
- Clearing blocked oil passages
- ECM replacement
Common Mistake
- Replacing the variable valve timing solenoid when insufficient oil pressure or faulty wiring causes the ECM to set this code.
I hope the information in this article has been helpful in guiding you in the right direction to correct the issue with your exhaust valve control circuit error code. This article is strictly informational, and specific vehicle technical data and service bulletins should always take priority.