This is a generic powertrain diagnostic trouble code (DTC) and applies to many OBD-II vehicles (1996-newer). That may include but is not limited to vehicles from Dodge, Peugeot, Jeep, Chevrolet, Chrysler, etc. Although generic, the exact repair steps may vary depending on year, make, model and engine configuration.

OBD-II trouble code P3424 and related codes P3421, P3422 and P3423 are associated with the cylinder 3 exhaust valve control circuit.

The purpose of the cylinder 3 exhaust valve control circuit is to turn off the exhaust valve to accommodate the cylinder deactivation feature (e.g. V4 mode of a V8 engine) to improve fuel economy during light load operation at idle or on the highway. The Engine Control Module (ECM) controls the 4 or 8 cylinder modes of the engine deactivating four of the engine cylinders. This process is accomplished by incorporating variable valve timing solenoids that turn the exhaust valves on and off as required. This code pertains to the number 3 cylinder and the other three cylinders in this process are determined by the engine configuration and the firing order of the cylinders. The ECM will limit cylinder deactivation to a cycle time of 10 minutes in V4 mode, and then return to V8 mode for 1 minute. The number 3 cylinder variable valve timing solenoid is mounted on or near the exhaust manifold in the vicinity of that cylinder based of the specific configuration and vehicle.

When the ECM detects voltage or resistance that is too high outside the normal expected value range within the cylinder 3 exhaust valve control circuit, code P3424 will be set and the check engine light, service engine soon light or both may be illuminated. In some circumstances, the ECM may disable the injector to the number 3 cylinder until the issue is corrected and the code has been cleared causing a noticeable engine misfire.

Cylinder Deactivation Solenoids:

The severity of this code can vary tremendously from moderate to severe depending on the specific symptoms of the malfunction. A misfire requires immediate attention because it can cause permanent damage to internal engine components.

Symptoms of a P3424 trouble code may include:

Causes for this P3424 code may include:

The first step in the troubleshooting process for any malfunction is to research the Technical Service Bulletins (TSB’s) for the specific vehicle by year, model and engine. This can save you time and money because it is basically a known fix for a known issue.

The second step is to check the condition of the engine oil and confirm it is serviced to the appropriate level. Then locate all components associated with the cylinder 3 exhaust valve control circuit and look for obvious physical damage. Based on the specific vehicle, this circuit may incorporate several components including the variable valve timing solenoid, switches, fault indicators and the ECM. Perform a thorough visual inspection to check the associated wiring for obvious defects such as scraping, rubbing, bare wires, or burn spots. Next is to check the connectors and connections for security, corrosion and damaged pins. Consult the specific technical data for the vehicle to verify the configuration and identify every component incorporated within the cylinder 1 exhaust valve control circuit.

Advanced Steps

The 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. In this situation, an oil pressure gauge may also facilitate the troubleshooting process to confirm an oil passage restriction.

Voltage Checks

The reference voltage and the acceptable ranges may vary based on the specific vehicle and the circuit configuration. Specific technical data will include troubleshooting charts and the appropriate sequence to follow assisting you with an accurate diagnosis.

If this process identifies the absence of a power source or ground, continuity testing may be required to check the integrity of the wiring, connectors and other components. Continuity tests should always be performed with the power removed from the circuit and the normal readings for wiring and connections should be 0 ohms of resistance. Resistance or no continuity is an indication of faulty wiring that is open, shorted or corroded and must be repaired or replaced.

Common Mistake

Hopefully, the information in this article has been helpful to point you in the right direction to correct the problem with your exhaust valve control circuit fault code. This article is strictly informational and the specific technical data and service bulletins for your vehicle should always take priority.