P3400 - OBD Trouble Code

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As you start or idle, and as the vehicle performs beneath hefty cargo, the engine will be running in V8 gear, utilizing 8 cylinders. Regardless, as to when driving states are becoming light, the engine will deactivate 4 of the 8 cylinders to convert from V8 gear to V4 gear.

The powertrain control module (PCM) will find out what data the vehicle driving states use when retrieved by the mass airflow (MAF) sensor, the intake control manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor, as well as the throttle position (TP) sensor.

Then the PCM will direct the cylinder deactivation solenoids to start the cylinder deactivation procedure. The cylinder deactivation solenoids will deactivate cylinder 1, cylinder 4, cylinder 6, and cylinder 7, by limiting the oil flow towards the valve lifters for these cylinders, and blocks the intake valves and exhaust valves from the process of opening. The car is unable to perform under V4 gear whenever these 3 sensors are not reaching the proper scale.

As the PCM finds out about the calculated values of the mass airflow sensor, the throttle position sensor, and the intake control manifold absolute pressure sensor, is not reaching the established scale for V4 gear and it will supply the P3400 diagnostic error code.

What causes this problem with the Cylinder Deactivation System Bank 1?

• Cylinder deactivation solenoid is faulty
• Cylinder deactivation solenoid harness has an open or short
• Cylinder deactivation solenoid circuit has a bad electrical connection
• Mass airflow sensor is defective
• Throttle position sensor is faulty
• Intake control manifold absolute pressure sensor is defective
• Lifters are faulty
• Oil passages are limited
• Engine oil level are low
• Oil pressure on the lifters are bad

1. Powertrain Control Module - A Check Engine Light that comes on is one viable symptom of an error with the ECM. The Check Engine Light normally illuminates as the computer finds out about an error within any of its sensors or circuits. There are situations, regardless, where the ECM turns on a Check Engine Light by accident, or when no current problem is apparent. Make sure a mechanic scans the computer for error codes to diagnose whether the problem is with the ECM, or someplace else on the vehicle. Irregular engine behavior might also detect a poor or failing ECM. A defective computer might result in the vehicle to erratically stall or misfire. The symptoms may come and go and not show up to partake in any kind of pattern of their prevalence or extremity. Engine operation problems are another symptom of a viable error with the ECM. If the ECM has any problems, it might mislead the timing and fuel positions of the engine, which can badly put an effect on the performance. A defective ECM might result in the vehicle to be dealing with a decrease in fuel efficiency, power, and acceleration. A poor ECM might lead to a vehicle that will not or is challenged to start. If the ECM is failing entirely, the vehicle will be left having no engine management control, and will not get started or be running as an outcome. The engine might still be cranking, but it will be unable to start having no crucial inputs coming from the computer. The ECM doesn’t solely result in issues with the car starting, so it is better to have a fulfilled diagnosis by a professional mechanic to consistently find out the major cause. Poor fuel economy might take place by a faltering ECM. A defective ECM rejects your engine from acknowledging to the amount of fuel that is getting burned in the combustion system. Normally, the vehicle uses up more fuel than it needs to in this case. You will wind up spending more on gas than you would with a performing ECM.
2. Mass Airflow Sensor - These symptoms detect a Mass Airflow Sensor that has a polluted hot wire. The pollution can shape into spider webs, planting a mixture out of the MAF sensor on its own, dirt sticking to oil on the MAF by an excessively oiled aftermarket air filter, and even more. Any component that behaves like insulation for the hot wire will result in this kind of problem. The adjustment is as easy as purifying the MAF sensor with a proficient cleaner, which the mechanics at Parts Avatar can achieve for you if they find out this is the source error. A MAF sensor that persists in reporting too much or reporting far less on airflow entering the engine will result in an engine that is running rich or lean. If the engine control system is functioning properly, you will possibly not ever see this excluding for a fluctuation in fuel economy.
   An experienced mechanic will need to assess the fuel trim condition by using a scan tool to support this. A MAF sensor that acts this way will need to be replaced. Prior to replacing the sensor, regardless, the remaining circuit has to be detected for correct performing. If the circuit has any problem, making sure the sensor is replaced is going to solve your problem.
   An entirely failed MAF sensor is not going to transmit any airflow data to the PCM. This hinders the PCM from consistently regulating fuel that will result in an engine that either idles roughly or doesn’t at all. Evidently, replacing the MAF sensor is required in this situation.
3. Throttle Position Sensor - It might feel as if the vehicle just won’t accelerate as it has to, and jerks or delays as it gains speed. It might accelerate steadily, but deal with power loss. On the other hand, it might be that your vehicle abruptly accelerates as you drive, even though you didn’t push the accelerator. If these symptoms take place, it is susceptible that you have an issue with the TPS. In these situations, the TPS is not giving the correct input; the onboard computer isn’t able to command the engine to function correctly. As the car picks up speed when driving, this normally involves the butterfly valve inside that closed up due to the throttle and abruptly pops open as the driver pushes onto the accelerator. This provides the vehicle an unplanned boost of speed that happens due to the sensor being unable to indicate the throttle at closing position. If you begin to deal with engine misfires, stalling, or rough idling as the vehicle is coming to a stop, this can also signal a warning of a faltering TPS. If the idling doesn’t appear right, this demonstrates the computer is not able to detect the entirely shut off throttle. The TPS is also able to deliver poor input that winds up stalling the engine at any given moment. This accounts for one other failure mode of the TPS that detects that it is incorrectly restricting the power that is being called for by your accelerator pedal foot. You might identify that your vehicle will accelerate, but not pick up speed beyond 20 - 30 miles per hour. This symptom regularly goes concurrently with the act of losing power. The Check Engine Light might illuminate if you are facing problems with your TPS. This is not usually the situation at all; so never wait for the Check Engine Light to come on before getting any of these symptoms determined. Make sure your vehicle is inspected for error codes to support the root problem.
4. Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor - A MAP sensor that calculates high intake manifold pressure specifies high engine freight to the PCM. This output a rise of fuel that is injected into the engine. In succession, this declines your utmost fuel economy. It also hikes up the quantity of hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions coming out of your vehicle towards the enclosed atmosphere. Chemicals such as hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide are few of chemical components that formulate smog. A MAP sensor that calculates low intake manifold pressure specifies low engine freight to the PCM. The PCM reacts by decreasing the quantity of fuel that is injected into the engine. As you might see a decline in fuel economy, you will also see that your engine isn’t as strong as it used to be. By decreasing the fuel into the engine, combustion chamber temperatures are raised. This hikes up the quantity of NOx (oxides of nitrogen) fabrication inside the engine. NOx is a chemical component that also creates smog. A poor MAP sensor will result in your vehicle to fail at being tested for emissions. Your tailpipe emissions might display a high level of hydrocarbons, high NOx production, low CO2, or a high level of carbon monoxide.

Our major objective is to succeed in pleasing our customers, since our customers mean a lot to us and this is why we want to help you diagnose code P3400 by describing a few important symptoms as follows:

Common Symptoms

• Declined fuel efficiency
• Decreased engine performance
• Cylinder deactivation codes of other
• Codes of Engine misfires

If you want to simply correct this error code, then all you need to do is read through these particular steps. Making sure to correct a problem needs for your discreet attention. These are a few methods that will help you to manage correcting the OBD Code P3400 as mentioned below:

• Adjust or swap damaged, disengaged, shorted, or corroded wiring, connectors, and parts as needed.
• In case the resistance level is not reducing by heat and climbs up when it cools, swap the sensor.
• If you’ve checked everything out to this extent, so then, turn the key to the ON position and monitor for the occurrence of a voltage, and a ground signal, at the exhaust gas temperature/pressure sensor electrical connector, or heated oxygen.
• The Power Control Module (PCM) will scan the sensor resistance and pass it through.
• In case fuel shutoff switch and all system circuitry gets checked out, surmise a faulty PCM or other associated controller.

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These are a few methods that you can follow as a way to diagnose this P3400 error code:

• Ensure engine oil levels are right. In addition, ensure that the engine oil pressure is right.
• Utilize the OBD-II scanner to gather all of the diagnostic error codes that was supplied by the powertrain control module (PCM).
• In case the powertrain control module (PCM) has supplied other deactivation and, or oil pressure diagnostic error codes, they all have to be diagnosed in advance.
• Utilize the OBD-II scanner to clear out the error codes.
• Inspect the cylinder deactivation solenoid 1 by activating it by using a scan tool. A solenoid that is functioning correct will reverberate and create a clicking sound. If the cylinder deactivation solenoid 1 is not functioning correctly, detect the oil passages for dirt, purify the oil crossings if needed, and change the solenoid.
• If the cylinder deactivation solenoid 1 is functioning correctly, the cylinder deactivation solenoid 7 will have to be monitored.
• Examine the cylinder deactivation solenoid 7 by activating it by using a scan tool. A solenoid that is functioning correctly will reverberate and produce a clicking sound. If the cylinder deactivation solenoid 7 is not functioning correctly, detect the oil passages for dirt, purify the oil crossings if needed, and change the solenoid.
• In case the cylinder deactivation solenoid 7 is functioning correctly, monitor the oil crossings moving to the lifter.
• Purify limited oil crossings as needed. The engine obstruction might have to be dismantled of the whole engine being limited.
• Change the lifters if the oil crossings are not limited.

Common Mistakes When Diagnosing the P3400 Code

• The most generic mishap when diagnosing this code is failing to properly detect the oil passages for debris and grime. Plugged oil passages will decrease engine oil pressure and will avert the cylinder deactivation solenoids and lifters from functioning correctly when changing from V4 gear to V8 gear.
• Ensure to detect the oil passages rigorously to prevent spending money on unneeded components and adjustments.