P3408 - OBD Trouble Code

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OBD-II Code Reduced engine performance is a means of a Cylinder 1 Exhaust Valve Control Circuit High.

The latest vehicle models with over eight cylinders are applicable for half of the cylinders to deactivate, by means of the ECM “engine control module” deactivating the fuel injectors. This disabling maintains fuel economy under weightless cargo performing settings as all cylinders are not required. The ECM “engine control module” is provided data about performing settings by diversity of sensors, such the MAF “mass airflow” sensor, and demands the cylinders ON or OFF grounded on that information. As the ECM is given an indicator by these sensors that doesn’t meet the sourced ratio, it will place a code warning the driver of the case. In this situation a code informs you of when the error is transpiring at the exhaust valve of cylinder one.

In an attempt to encounter fuel and emissions values, multiple manufacturers are using cylinder deactivation approaches. This process enables the engine's control module (PCM) to deactivate preferred cylinders when power that is added is not needed from the engine, for instance at idle or when you cruise on the roadway. If the engine's control module (PCM) checks that the Exhaust Valve for cylinder 1 is not turning ON or OFF in the manner that it is ordered, the PCM will place code P3408.

What causes this problem with the Cylinder 1 Exhaust Valve Control Circuit High?

• A defective MAP, MAF, or TP sensor
  
• A poor valve lifter
• Dropped oil pressure effected by dirt or sludge in oil passages
• A short, damage or corrosion in the wiring or connectors
• Erratic fuel pressure
  

1. ECM - A Check Engine Light that illuminates is a major indicator of a problem associated with the Engine Control Module. The Check Engine Light regularly begins to come on as the computer finds a problem that is associated with all the sensors or circuits. In some cases, the ECM activates a Check Engine Light by accident, or if there is no current problem. Scanning on the computer for trouble codes can help with checking whether or not there is an error with the ECM, or the checking out where the error is situated on the vehicle. Abnormal engine reaction is another major indicator of a defective or failing ECM. A failed computer might result in a vehicle that faces abnormal problems such as stalls or misfires. These symptoms may come and go, and may not display any type of pattern to their continuity or severity. Engine performance issues are another major indicator of a crucial problem associated with the ECM. If the ECM faces any issues, it may cause timing and fuel settings to badly impact the performance of the vehicle. A faulty ECM may cause the vehicle to experience a reduction in fuel efficiency, power, and acceleration. A vehicle that fails to start or refrains at restarting is another major indicator of a defective or failed ECM. If the ECM fails completely, the vehicle will remain facing a loss of engine power control, and will fail to start or operate as a result. The engine could still be cranking, but will fail to start if dealing with the absence of critical inputs from the computer. A wide variety of other issues can also lead to this symptom, so it’s an excellent idea to conduct a thorough diagnosis that is achieved by a certified mechanic that will persist in checking for the final outcome.
2. Mass Airflow Sensor - A polluted hot wire is a common symptom that signals a Mass Airflow Sensor (MAF). The pollution can turn into the shape of spider webs, potting mixture by the MAF sensor on its own, dirt attaches to oil on the MAF by an excessively oiled aftermarket air filter, and more. Any component that behaves like insulation onto the hot wire will result in this kind of problem. The repair is as easy as cleaning the MAF sensor with an officially agreed cleaner, which the mechanics at Parts Avatar can do for you if finding out this is the sourced problem. A MAF sensor that persists in making too many reports or far less reports on airflow coming into the engine will result in an engine running too rich or lean. If the engine control process is functioning properly, you will possibly never see this aside from a fluctuation in fuel economy.
   An experienced mechanic will have to view the fuel trim position when using a scan tool to demonstrate this. A MAF sensor that reacts this way will need to be replaced. In advance to replacing the sensor, the remains of the circuit have to be checked out for correct performance. If the circuit has a problem, exchanging the sensor will not solve your issue. An entirely failed MAF sensor will not transmit any airflow data to the PCM. This hinders the PCM from consistently regulating fuel, which will cause an engine that will either idle rough or not idle at all. Clearly, exchanging the MAF sensor is required in this situation.
3. PCM - A Check Engine Light that illuminates are a major indicator of an issue that is associated with the Engine Control Module. The Check Engine Light normally illuminates when the computer detects an error that is associated with all of the sensors or circuits. These are circumstances when the ECM triggers a Check Engine Light to illuminate 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 related to the ECM, or another location within the vehicle. Irregular engine performance might also specify a faulty or failing ECM. A defective computer might cause the vehicle to stall or misfire erratically. The symptoms may come and go, but not show any particular reaction under any kind of sequence of their continuity or severity. Engine performance issues are another symptom of a critical issue associated with the ECM. If the ECM is dealing with any problems, it results in timing and fuel settings inside the engine to badly affect the performance system. A defective ECM could lead to the vehicle encountering a decrease in fuel efficiency, power, and acceleration. A poor ECM might lead to a vehicle that fails or impedes at starting. If the ECM fails entirely, the vehicle will stay without any engine management control, and will start or operate as an outcome. The engine might still be cranking, but it will restart, and not maintain any critical inputs by the computer. The ECM will not entirely result in any issues when starting the vehicle, so it is better to operate a diagnosis by reaching out to a certified mechanic to continue inspecting for an official result. A poor fuel economy might occur as the ECM fails. A defective ECM rejects the engine from recognizing with the amount of fuel burning inside the combustion system. Normally, the vehicle expends more fuel than it commands in this case. As a result, you will spend more money on fuel than you need to with a performing ECM.
4. Exhaust Valve - A major sign of a problem with the exhaust pressure valve is an engine performance issue. If the valve gets blocked or clogged it can impact the engine performance. A faulty exhaust pressure valve could lead the vehicle to encounter a reduction in power, probably an error with the exhaust pressure valve when excessive smoke or soot is emitted by the exhaust. Regarding diesel engines accumulating with these components, the exhaust pressure valve has a critical role inside of the rightful engine combustion. These kinds of errors can interrupt the already delicate combustion process of diesel engines, which could lead to black smoke and soot expelling from the exhaust pipe. An illuminated Check Engine Light is another symptom of a possible error associated with the exhaust pressure valve. If the computer specifies an issue with the exhaust pressure valve circuit, signal, or position, then it will trigger a Check Engine Light in a manner to alert the driver of a viable problem. An illuminated Check Engine Light will also set a wide variety of other problems, scanning on the computer for trouble codes is highly recommended.
5. MAP Sensor - A MAP sensor that calculates high intake manifold pressure specifies high engine freight to the PCM, which leads to an increase of fuel getting injected into the engine. In turn, this reduces your utmost fuel economy. It also rises the quantity of hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions from your vehicle to the surrounding atmosphere. Hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide are some of the chemical elements of 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 getting injected into the engine. When you might see a rise 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 increased. This rises the quantity of NOx “oxides of nitrogen” production inside the engine. NOx is a chemical component of smog as well. A poor MAP sensor will lead your vehicle to fail an emissions test. Your tailpipe emissions might display a high level of hydrocarbons, high NOx production, low CO2, or a high level of carbon monoxide.
6. Throttle Position Sensor - It might feel as if the car simply does not accelerate as it should, and jerks or delays as it is picking up speed. It might accelerate smoothly, but lose power. On the other hand, it might be that your vehicle suddenly speeds up as you are driving, even if you have not pressed the accelerator. If these symptoms happen, there is a good chance you have got a problem with the TPS. In these circumstances, the TPS is not giving the right input, so the onboard computer can’t direct the engine to function correctly. When the vehicle accelerates as you are driving, it normally means the butterfly valve inside the throttle has closed up and pops open so abruptly when the driver presses on the accelerator. This gives the car an unplanned rupture of speed that happens because the sensor can’t specify the closed position of the throttle. If you start to experience engine misfires, stalling, or rough idling when the car has come to a stop, it can also be a warning sign of a failing TPS. You do not want to wait to get this checked out! If the idling comes into view as OFF, it means the computer is not able to specify the completely shut throttle. The TPS can also transmit negative input that eventually stalls the engine at any time. This is another failure mode shown in the TPS, which detects that it is falsely restricting the power being commanded with your accelerator pedal foot. You might find that your car will accelerate, but not outside a limited speed of 20 - 30 miles per hour (MPH). This symptom frequently is closely associated with behaving in accordance to a loss of power. The Check Engine Light might illuminate if you are having problems with your TPS. This is not always the case; so, do not wait for the Check Engine Light to illuminate before you check out any of the symptoms above. Have your vehicle detected for error codes to justify the source of the problem.
7. Fuel Injector - A major common symptom of a possible error with a fuel injector is an engine operation problem. If any of the vehicle’s fuel injectors are faced with an issue, the air fuel scale of the engine will be baffled, which can lead to operation problems. A defective fuel injector can result in the vehicle to experience misfires, a power loss and acceleration; a decrease in fuel efficiency, and in severe instances can result in stalling or stopping the engine from function at all. Another common symptom of a possible error with a fuel injector is a fuel odor. Injectors uplift high-pressures and over duration can cause them to leak by the nozzle or by the seal that is placed at the top of the injector. An injector that leaks will release surplus fuel into the engine combustion chamber, as a leaking seal will drip fuel by the injector support. Both of these symptoms can impact engine operation, particularly fuel efficiency, and both will normally create a specified fuel odor. Any kind of fuel odor has to be controlled right away to impede these components from landing up in a possible safety hazard. Another symptom of a possible error with a fuel injector is a Check Engine Light that illuminates. In such as case, any of the fuel injectors get plugged and lead to a misfire or be faced with an electrical problem; this means the computer will trigger the Check Engine Light to warn the driver of the issue. A vast extension of other engine management problems can also trigger the Check Engine Light; so, scanning the computer for error codes is highly recommended.

If you are encountering OBD trouble code P3408, there are notably common symptoms that you can see or feel. We have written out a list to assist you in comprehending this issue even better.

 Common Symptoms 

• Growing fuel consumption
• Bad engine performance
• Engine misfire
• Illuminated Service Engine Soon light
• Illuminated Check Engine light
  

Once you have learned the symptoms of your vehicle’s troubleshoot, it gets easier to check it out and start to solve the problem. So, we have written a list of some common points to solve this problem with your vehicle. 

• Dissimilar to other diagnostic codes, this kind of code can occasionally be better sent to a certified mechanic simply because it entails a bulk of circuitry.
• If the resistance level doesn’t reduce with heat and rises while cooling, exchange the sensor.
• If checking all else so far, turn the key to the ON mode and do a testing for the occurrence of a voltage, and a ground signal, at the exhaust gas temperature/pressure sensor electrical connector or heated oxygen sensor.
• The exhaust gas temperature sensor is utilized inside diesel engines, gasoline burning engines, and even turbocharged engines
• Whenever the fuel shutoff switch and all system circuitry get checked out, surmise a faulty PCM or other associated controller. 

Do not feel stressed out if your OBD Code still flashes up as we are available to help you out. Take a glance at our upscale range of ECM, Mass airflow sensor, PCM, Exhaust Valve, MAP sensor, Throttle position sensor, Exhaust Valve, Fuel Injector and even more. This way all your problems will disappear in a flash. 

If you’re eager to simply diagnose this error code, then all you must do read these points that are described as follows:

• The first step in rectifying the system for any function break is to research the Technical Service Bulletins (TSB's) for the particular vehicle by year, model and engine. This can save you time and money as it is simply doing a known repair for a known problem.
• The second step is to detect the setting of the engine oil and affirm it is being serviced to the proper level. Then pinpoint the area of all parts related to the cylinder 1 exhaust valve control circuit and seek for evident physical damage. Referring on the particular vehicle, this circuit might contain many parts that come with the variable valve timing solenoid, switches, defect indicators and the ECM. Conduct a rigorous visual testing to detect the related wiring for evident faults like scraping, rubbing, bare wires, or burn spots. Next thing to do is detect the connectors and connections for security, corrosion and damaged pins. Contact the certain technical data for the vehicle to make sure of the alignment and specify each part integrated within the cylinder 1 exhaust valve control circuit. 

Advanced Steps - The advanced steps get to be vehicle specific and need the proper advanced equipment to operate consistently. These methods need a digital multi meter and the certain technical sources for the vehicle. In this case, an oil pressure gauge might also make it easier for the error bound process to affirm an oil passage limitation. 

Voltage Checks - The sourced voltage and the accepted ratios might differ based on the particular vehicle and the circuit alignment. Particular technical data will come with troubleshooting charts and the proper pattern to read in helping you with a consistent diagnosis.If this system specifies the power source or ground is missing, progression testing might be needed to detect the robustness of the wiring, connectors and other parts. Progression tests should constantly be operated with the power taken out of the circuit and the regular messages for wiring and connections should be at a resistance of 0 ohms. Resistance or no progression is a specification of defective wiring that is open, shorted or corroded and has to be adjusted or exchanged. 

Common Mistakes When Diagnosing the P3408 Code 

The fully considered diagnostic protocol has to be achieved. If components are exchanged without testing all related parts, then costly and unneeded adjustments might be an outcome. You should pay extra attention to ensuring the oil pressure is correct and clean out oil passages if incorrect. 

• Defective variable valve timing solenoid
• Dropped engine oil level or pressure
• Limited oil passage
• Defective or damaged wiring
• Damaged, corroded or loose connector
• Faulty ECM