P2604 Intake Air Heater “A” Circuit Range/Performance
OBD-II Trouble Code Technical Description
Intake Air Heater "A" Circuit Range/Performance
What does that mean?
This generic powertrain diagnostic trouble code (DTC) typically applies to all OBD-II equipped vehicles that have an air intake heater, including but not limited to Chevrolet GMC (Duramax), Ford (Powerstroke), Honda, Nissan, Dodge, etc.
This code is one of a number of possible codes that are associated with an intake air heater circuit malfunction. An intake air heater is an essential component for a diesel engine to assist the starting process. The five codes that the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) may set for intake air heater "A" circuit issues are P0540, P0541, P0542, P0543, and P2604.
What is the purpose of an air intake heater?
The intake air heater "A" circuit is designed to operate the components that provide warm air to facilitate diesel engine starting and idling at various temperatures. The typical intake air heater circuit incorporates a heater element, relays, temperature sensor and at least one blower. Air ducts are also needed to route the warm air to the intake and electrical connections and wiring control the operation of these components.
Trouble code P2604 is triggered by the PCM when it detects the intake air heater "A" circuit is out of range or having performance issues. The circuit may be out of range, contain a faulty component or have improper airflow. Various malfunctions within the circuit may be present and can be physical, mechanical or electrical.
Here is an example of an air intake heater:
Code Severity & Symptoms
The severity of this code is normally moderate, but can be severe based on the specific malfunction.
Symptoms of a P2604 diagnostic trouble code may include:
Causes
Typically, potential causes for this code include:
Another style of air intake heater:
What are the most common repairs?
Diagnostic and Repair Procedures
The first step in the troubleshooting process for any malfunction is to research the Technical Service Bulletins (TSB) for the specific vehicle by year, model and power plant. In some circumstances this can save a lot of time in the long run by pointing you in the right direction.
The intake air heating circuit might not work automatically if the ambient air or engine temperature is above the limit set by the manufacturer. The circuit should activate if it is commanded "ON" with a scanner, or if power is applied manually.
Basic Steps
NOTE: Do not touch element or heat shield
Advanced Steps
Advanced steps become very vehicle specific and require the appropriate advanced equipment to perform accurately. These procedures require a digital multi meter and the specific technical references for the vehicle. Voltage requirements will very based of the specific year, model and the diesel engine in the vehicle.
Specific Checks:
Note: On applications that have Mass Airflow sensors, the intake air temperature sensor is incorporated into the sensor body. Consult technical data to determine the correct pins associated with the sensor.
Specific checks must be performed using the troubleshooting guidelines for the specific vehicle using the technical manual or online reference material. These steps will guide you through the process of checking the power and ground to each component within the intake air heater circuit in the proper sequence. If the voltage is correct to a component that is not functioning, that component is most likely defective and requires replacement. If power is not available to operate the circuit, continuity checks may be needed to identify faulty wiring or components.
Hopefully, the information in this article has been helpful to point you in the right direction to correct the problem with your intake air heater circuit malfunction. This article is strictly informational and the specific technical data and service bulletins for your vehicle should always take priority.
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Let us fix your problem. You are most welcome our diagnosis experts have in most cases the knowledge and skills to find the cause of the error code p2604 and to solve the problems.
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"Delete Error Code Permanently, Disable DTC Error Code Function for p2604 in the ECU"
In extreme cases, we even have the option to permanently remove the specific DTC p2604 and disable the function of the specific error code in the ECU. All other fault code functions will then continue to work to protect the engine. This is different from clearing an error code with a diagnostic device. We have the option to permanently remove the function of the specific error code, so that it never comes back. Also emergency running that occurs on the specific error code can be solved in most cases.
Of course we prefer to first try to solve the cause of the error code, but sometimes the only solution is to permanently disable the DTC function of p2604.
