P04AA Exhaust Pressure Control Valve B Circ Intermittent
OBD-II Trouble Code Technical Description
Exhaust Pressure Control Valve B Position Sensor/Switch Circuit Intermittent
What does that mean?
This generic powertrain diagnostic trouble code (DTC) typically applies to all OBD-II vehicles equipped with an exhaust pressure control valve sensor or switch. That may include but is not limited to vehicles from VW, Audi, Toyota, etc. Although generic, the exact repair steps may vary depending on make/model.
The exhaust pressure control valve (EPC) is a solenoid controlled valve used to regulate back pressure during cold temperatures. This helps increase cabin heat, aids in cold starting and windshield defrosting.
In most cases, the powertrain control module (PCM) uses information from the exhaust back pressure sensor (EBP), intake air temperature (IAT) sensor and manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor to determine control of the valve. If the PCM detects a problem with the EPC or the IAT, it will disable the ECP. Typically, the ECP is found on diesel engines.
In the codes outlined in this article, the "B" indicates the problem is with a portion of the system circuit, instead of a particular symptom or component.
Code P04AA is set when the PCM detects an intermittent problem with the exhaust pressure control valve circuit.
What is the severity of this DTC?
The severity of this code is moderate to severe. It's a good idea to address this code as soon as possible.
An example of an exhaust pressure control valve:
What are some of the symptoms of the code?
Symptoms of a P04AA trouble code may include:
Illuminated check engine light Increased emissionsPoor engine performance Hard startingWhat are some of the common causes of the code?
Causes for this code may include:
Faulty exhaust pressure control valve Wiring problems Faulty PCMWhat are some P04AA troubleshooting steps?
Begin by checking the exhaust pressure control valve and corresponding wiring. Look for loose connections, damaged wiring, etc. If damage is found, repair as necessary, clear the code and see if it returns. Next, check for technical service bulletins (TSBs) regarding the issue. If nothing is found, you will need to move forward to step by step diagnosis of the system.
The following is a generalized procedure, as testing for this code varies between vehicles. To accurately test the system, you'll want to refer to the manufacture's diagnostic flow chart.
Check The Wiring
Before proceeding, you'll want to consult the factory wiring diagrams to determine which wires are which. Autozone offers free online repair manuals for many vehicles and ALLDATA offers single vehicle subscriptions.
Test The Solenoid
Remove the solenoid connector. Use a digital multimeter set to ohms to check the internal resistance of the solenoid. To do this, connect the meter between the solenoid B+ terminal and the solenoid ground terminal. Compare the resistance measurement to the factory repair specifications. If the meter displays a reading out of specification, or out of limits (OL) indicating an open circuit, the solenoid should be replaced.
Check The Power Side Of The Circuit
Make sure the vehicle has sat for at least a few hours (overnight is best) and is cold. Remove the solenoid connector. With the vehicle ignition on, use a digital multimeter set to DC volts to check for power at the solenoid (usually 12 volts). To do this, connect the negative meter lead to ground and the positive meter lead to the solenoid B+ terminal on harness side of the connector. If voltage is not present, connect the meter set to ohms (with the ignition off) between the B+ terminal on the solenoid connector and the solenoid supply voltage terminal on the PCM. If the meter reads out of li
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