P3402 OBD Error Code: Problem & Solutions

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The OBD-II Code Reduced engine operation is a means of a Cylinder 1 Deactivation/Intake Valve Control Circuit Operation.

We have a common powertrain diagnostic trouble code (DTC) and apply to numerous OBD-II cars that are from 1996 to newest. This might come with, but no restriction to cars from companies such as General Motors, Dodge, Jeep, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ram, and more. Even though often, the precise adjustment methods could differ, which relies on year, make, model and powertrain arrangement. As the ECM finds a performance issue inside the voltage or resistance within the cylinder 1 deactivation/intake valve control circuit, this will set code P3402 and this will illuminate check engine light, service engine soon light or maybe even both. In some cases, the ECM might deactivate the injector to the cylinder 1 to a point of correcting the problem and clearing the code, which results in a detectable engine misfire.

In an attempt to reach fuel and emissions values, numerous manufacturers are using cylinder deactivation procedures. This system enables the engine control module (PCM) to disengage specified cylinders when power that is added is not necessary by the engine, for instance at idle or when coasting on the roadway. If the engine control module (PCM) finds this Intake Valve for cylinder 1 is not turning ON or OFF the means it is being requested, the PCM will station code P3402.

What causes this problem with the Cylinder 1 Deactivation/Intake Valve Control Circuit Performance?

• Faulty cylinder deactivation solenoid
• Engine oil level or pressure is low
• Limited oil passage
• Defective or broken wiring
• Loose, corroded or damaged connector
• Faulty ECM

1. ECM - A Check Engine Light that illuminates is a primary sign of a problem associated with the Engine Control Module. The Check Engine Light usually begins to illuminate when the computer detects a problem that is associated with all the sensors or circuits. In some cases, the ECM triggers a Check Engine Light by accident, or if there is no current issue. Running a scan on the computer for trouble codes can help with finding out whether or not there is an error with the ECM, or the location of where problem is detected within the vehicle. Abnormal engine behaviour is another major symptom of a defective or failing ECM. A failing computer might be experiencing a vehicle that is faced with erratic problems such as stalls or misfires. These symptoms may come and go, and may not display any type of pattern to their accuracy or intensity. Engine performance errors are another major symptom of a crucial problem associated with the ECM. If the ECM is experiencing any issues, it may result in timing and fuel settings to badly impact the performance of the vehicle. A faulty ECM might result in the vehicle to be facing a reduction in fuel efficiency, power, and acceleration. A vehicle that fails to start or restrains to start again is another major symptom of a defective or failed ECM. If the ECM fails completely, the vehicle will remain with a loss of engine power control, and will be failing to start or run as a result. The engine could still crank, but will be failing to start if losing any of the vital inputs from the computer. A wide variety of other errors can also lead to this symptom, so it’s a good idea to run a thorough diagnosis that is conducted by an experienced mechanic that will persist in detective the outcome.
2. PCM - A Check Engine Light that comes on is a major crucial symptom of an error associated with ECM. The Check Engine Light normally comes on when the computer finds a problem associated with any of the sensors or circuits. There are circumstances, regardless, when the ECM illuminates a Check Engine Light by fault, or when no current problem is apparent. Make sure a mechanic scans the computer for error codes to diagnose whether the problem is related to the ECM, or another location on the vehicle. Irregular engine performance might also detect a poor or failing ECM. A defective computer might cause the vehicle to erratically stall or misfire. The symptoms may come and go, not show up to enact in any kind of order of their continuity or extremity. Engine operation errors are another symptom of a vital issue associated with the ECM. If the ECM is experiencing any problems, it could mislead the timing and fuel conditions of the engine, which can badly affect the performance system. A defective ECM might cause the vehicle to experience a decrease in fuel efficiency, power, and acceleration. A poor ECM might cause a vehicle that will not or struggle to start. If the ECM is failing entirely, the vehicle will stay without any engine management control, and will get started or run as an outcome. The engine might still be cranking, but when getting started it will not have any crucial inputs coming from the computer. The ECM will not entirely result in any issues to start up the vehicle, so it is better to have an effective diagnosis run by an experienced mechanic to continue in detecting the major result. Poor fuel economy might take place when the ECM fails. A defective ECM rejects the engine from being familiar with the amount of fuel that is burning inside the combustion system. Normally, the vehicle uses up more fuel than it needs to in this case. As a result, you will spend more on fuel than you should with a performing ECM.
3. Intake Valve - Ticking or popping noises are the most generic types of noises you will hear when you are having problems with your valves. Many times, you will hear this ticking noise before you find another problem. This noise will get louder and faster when the engine speeds up. It regularly shows that few of the valve train parts are either worn or out of alignment, or that your engine is not being given enough lubrication at most. Most vehicles have hydraulic lifters, and these lifters need constant lubrication and pressure maintained at a precise level. If the pressure is a bit offbeat, it increases play or excessive movement within the valve train. Blue smoke is a generic sign of maximum engine trouble and you should never ignore this. As a matter of fact, blue smoke is not specifically a result of valve problems, as it is one of the most generic identifications, even when combined with ticking and popping noises. When valve guides and seals are worn, it allows oil to pass through the combustion chamber and burn along with the fuel. Moreover, you will notice that your oil levels consistently drop, or you often need to apply on oil, and you have suppressed any leaks. Regularly, the amount of blue smoke you see with valve guide and seal failure is rather small and rarely noticeable. If you are spewing out a large amount of smoke, then you could be dealing with more intense problems like worn or damaged piston rings. It is best to consult with a professional mechanic to determine engine trouble when you experience this problem. Another indication that you are dealing with valve problems is that you frequently see a reduction in engine power and performance. Valves are designed to fit perfectly into the seats and allow for much lesser elbowroom. If your valve guides and seals are leaking, oil can accumulate on top of the valve and causes a loss in seating or creates a gap. This could lead to errors with compression, which results in a poor loss of combustion and power. Burnt valves are another problem that give to power conflicts. A burnt valve is the likelihood of losing material and even has large holes, which leaks gases and reduces compression. Many components can lead to burn valves, but one of the most common reasons is to disregard leaking seals and guides, or failing to fix other compression problems. You can mix these errors with a cooling system or EGR “exhaust gas re-circulation” issue, and you are extremely likely to burn the valves. These cases should not be ignored, as they are associated with the valve, and can get even more critical and costly down the road. Whatsoever, it is simple to stop this re-occurrence, or at least delay with proper engine maintenance. Ensure your oil is changed regularly, and fix any other engine problems without any detainment.
4. Engine Oil - If the cold state of thick, stickiness of your oil is over the top, too thick, then you might not be capable of starting your vehicle in very cold temperatures. With this common cause, the oil is so very thick that it can’t correctly lubricate all motioning components and this results in too much resistance as the vehicle is starting. If you consume synthetic oil on a vehicle with older or high mileage, you might start to build up slight oil leaks that you wouldn't have got had you been using conventional motor oil. This is easily because of various flow assets that synthetic oils contain that conventional oils do not. It enables the oil to squeeze through smaller spaces than regular oil. During when using synthetic oil in these situations will not inevitably cause any damage, you might see drops of oil on your garage floor or a burning odor when driving. Since this oil is leaking slowly, you may want to pay surplus attention to your oil level and have it topped off when necessary. Shifting back to conventional oil on doing your next oil change is highly considered. Few vehicles will easily not do well with using synthetic oils. If the hot thickness of the motor oil is not sufficiently high, the oil might start to break apart under intense hot settings and it will not lubricate the parts of the engine correctly. This will lead to burning the oil. Over duration, this can result in your engine being damaged over a long period of time because of too much rubbing between metal parts. If you consume excess thickness of motor oil for the settings, your fuel mileage will be susceptible of suffering. This is due to the thickening of oil increases resistance on motioning components such as pistons. When protecting your engine, it will be more expensive when trips to the gas station are more frequent. If you consume motor oil too thin for the settings, you might hear your engine make a ticking sound. Your engine will normally be the loudest after starting up and moderately reducing after driving about for a time-frame. This occurs due to the incorrect weight of engine oil that is able to do a bad job of coating and lubricating all engine parts. You can hear metal parts such as valves and valve lifters colliding among other metal. Doing a brief switch to a different oil thickness might solve the problem.
5. Valve Timing Solenoid - When an Engine Control Unit (ECU) regulates modern vehicles, nearly all-separate parts are inspected by the ECU. When a single part is starting to fail, the ECU will station a particular error code that will enable a mechanic to use a scanner that easily detects if a problem occurs. As soon as the code has been processed, it will alert the driver by actuating a certain zone warning light to illuminate. The Check Engine Light is the most generic light to illuminate as a VVT solenoid fails. Since each vehicle manufacturer has a variety of codes they are using, it is crucial for a vehicle owner to reach a local ASE Certified mechanic to monitor the vehicle, use the correct diagnostic scan tool to download the code and find out the exact reference of the error. As a matter of fact, there are really dozens of separate codes for VVT solenoid problems for each vehicle manufacturer. As soon as the mechanic has this correct data, they can start to resolve the particular error. This is more likely a result in contrast to a symptom. The VVT solenoid performs at best, as the engine oil is clean, dirt free, or has lost some lubrication or thickness. As the engine oil gets plugged with dirt, debris or other external particles, it happens to plug up the passages from the solenoid to the VVT chain and gear. If you haven’t changed your engine oil outside of its schedule, it might damage the VVT solenoid, the VVT chain, and the gear drive. To prevent this case moving further, ensure that your engine oil is being changed as advised by the car manufacture. Oil at low levels can also result in problems associated with the VVT solenoid and other timing system parts. Usually the VVT system does not trigger until the engine is set at higher RPM or is brought into action of loading bearing settings, such as driving uphill. Regardless, if the VVT solenoid is failing to function, it is viable that it will bring into using added engine oil to the VVT gears. This can lead the engine to idle roughly, particularly the engine RPM to change as the system is actuated. If you don’t check this fast enough, it can result to additional engine parts that wear earlier on. If your engine idles are rough, ensure to have a professional mechanic monitor this right away. The objective of variable valve timing is to make sure the valves open and close at the correct time to upgrade engine performance and decrease fuel consumption. As the VVT solenoid is failing to function, the whole system can be settled, which might cause intake and exhaust valves to open and close at the incorrect time. This usually leads the fuel economy to strongly decline.

It is crucial to learn about the symptoms of a problem so that you will be able to easily solve the problem. This is why we have written out a few primary symptoms of OBD Code P3402 below:

Common Symptoms

• Engine could misfire
• Reduced fuel consumption
• Bad engine performance
• Illuminated Service engine soon light
• Illuminated Check engine light illuminated

Do you want to correct the Error Code P3402? Follow these steps as described below:

• This data can be very supportive in diagnosing irregular settings that might have provided to this code being supplied.
• If the resistance level isn’t reducing with heat and rises while it cools, swap the sensor.
• If you’ve check out everything to an extent, turn the key to the ON position and inspect for the occurrence of a voltage, and a ground signal, at the exhaust gas temperature/pressure sensor electrical connector or heated oxygen sensor.
• Many tools will be useful in achieving the diagnosis of this code.
• If checking out the fuel shutoff switch and all system circuitry, surmise a faulty PCM or other associated controller.

Our team at Parts Avatar Canada is available to solve all your problems associated to automotive components. We have provided a wide variety of upscale price ranges in ECM, PCM, Intake Valve, Valve Timing Solenoid, Engine Oil and even more to assist you in repairing your vehicle.

If you desire to simply diagnose this error code, then you have to read the steps that are described below:

First step to discover the problem with this system for any function crash is to research the Technical Service Bulletins (TSB's) to find out the exact vehicle by year, model and engine. In some cases, this can save a lot of time by directing you in the proper course. Second step is to determine the condition of the engine oil and confirm it is sustained at the correct level. Next step is to locate all components associated with the cylinder 1 deactivation intake valve control circuit and look for apparent physical damage. Rooting to the specific vehicle, this circuit may intermingle many components that include the deactivation solenoid, switches, fault signals and the ECM. Perform a thorough visual inspection to find the associated wiring for visible defects such as scraping, rubbing, bare wires, or burn spots. Next step is to find the connectors and connections for all security, corrosion and damaged pins. This process has to include all wiring connectors and connections to all components that come with the ECM. Consult with a certain source of tech data for the vehicle to ensure the configuration of the cylinder 1 deactivation/intake valve control circuit and confirm every component is intermingled inside the circuit, which may include a fuse or a fuse-able engagement.

Common Mistakes When Diagnosing the P3402 Code

• Oil level in engine is too low
• Failed Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
• Failed Variable Valve Timing Solenoid
• Wiring problem
• Faulty cylinder deactivation solenoid
• Oil pressure in engine is low
• Limited oil passage
• Defective or damaged wiring
• Damaged, Corroded or loose connector
• Faulty ECM