Code family
P-Codes
P-codes cover powertrain diagnostics — engine, fuel, ignition, emissions, catalyst, and transmission control. Browse by system below or use the lookup tool.
Misfire
P0300 Code: Random or Multiple Cylinder Misfire
P0300 means the engine is misfiring randomly or across multiple cylinders instead of one clearly identified cylinder. Ignition, fuel, air leaks, compression problems, or timing issues can all interrupt combustion and trigger this code.
P0301 Code: Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected
P0301 means cylinder 1 is not burning its air-fuel mixture consistently. The problem may be isolated to that cylinder, such as a spark plug, coil, injector, compression issue, or local air leak near the intake runner.
P0302 Code: Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected
P0302 means cylinder 2 is misfiring enough for the engine computer to identify it. The cause may be electrical, fuel-related, mechanical, or an air leak that affects that cylinder more than the others.
P0303 Code: Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected
P0303 means cylinder 3 has a repeat misfire pattern. A technician will usually confirm the cylinder location, inspect ignition parts, check injector behavior, and rule out compression or valve problems before replacing parts.
P0304 Code: Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected
P0304 means cylinder 4 is not firing reliably. The code narrows the search to one cylinder, but the final cause still has to be separated between spark, fuel, air, compression, and wiring faults.
P0305 Code: Cylinder 5 misfire
P0305 points to cylinder 5 misfire in the misfire system. The first diagnostic branch usually separates worn spark plug or ignition coil; fuel injector flow problem; vacuum leak affecting that cylinder. Start with confirm whether the check
P0306 Code: Cylinder 6 misfire
When P0306 appears, focus on cylinder 6 misfire and the conditions recorded when the monitor failed. The practical path is confirm whether the check engine light is flashing; then check whether worn spark plug or ignition coil, wiring, sens
P0307 Code: Cylinder 7 misfire
P0307 is best read as a misfire evidence trail. In this case the important clues are worn spark plug or ignition coil; fuel injector flow problem; vacuum leak affecting that cylinder. The code narrows the system to test, but the repair shou
P0308 Code: Cylinder 8 misfire
P0308 does not prove one failed part. It means the computer saw cylinder 8 misfire. Use the code to choose tests around confirm whether the check engine light is flashing; read freeze-frame data and all companion misfire codes; if those che
Fuel trim & airflow
P0101 Code: Mass Air Flow Sensor Range or Performance Problem
P0101 means the mass airflow sensor signal does not match what the engine computer expects for current operating conditions. The sensor may be dirty or faulty, but intake leaks, wiring issues, and restricted airflow can create the same mism
P0102 Code: Mass airflow sensor low signal
P0102 points to mass airflow sensor low signal in the air metering system. The first diagnostic branch usually separates dirty or failed airflow, pressure, or temperature sensor; air leak after the measured airflow point; wiring, connector,
P0103 Code: Mass airflow sensor high signal
When P0103 appears, focus on mass airflow sensor high signal and the conditions recorded when the monitor failed. The practical path is inspect the air filter and intake ducting; then check whether dirty or failed airflow, pressure, or temp
P0171 Code: System Too Lean Bank 1
P0171 means the engine computer is adding extra fuel because bank 1 is running lean. In plain terms, the engine is getting too much air, not enough fuel, or incorrect sensor information. Vacuum leaks, intake leaks, fuel delivery issues, and
P0172 Code: System too rich on bank 1
P0172 is best read as a fuel trim evidence trail. In this case the important clues are vacuum or intake air leak; dirty or inaccurate mass airflow sensor; fuel pressure or injector delivery problem. The code narrows the system to test, but
P0174 Code: System Too Lean Bank 2
P0174 means bank 2 is running lean and the computer is adding fuel to compensate. It is common on V-style engines when unmetered air enters one side of the intake, fuel delivery is weak, or the mass airflow reading is inaccurate for the act
P0175 Code: System too rich on bank 2
P0175 points to system too rich on bank 2 in the fuel trim system. The first diagnostic branch usually separates vacuum or intake air leak; dirty or inaccurate mass airflow sensor; fuel pressure or injector delivery problem. Start with revi
Catalyst & oxygen sensor
P0130 Code: Bank 1 sensor 1 circuit problem
When P0130 appears, focus on bank 1 sensor 1 circuit problem and the conditions recorded when the monitor failed. The practical path is identify the correct bank and sensor location before replacing parts; then check whether aging oxygen or
P0131 Code: Bank 1 sensor 1 circuit problem
P0131 is best read as a oxygen sensor evidence trail. In this case the important clues are aging oxygen or air-fuel sensor; heater circuit fuse, power, or ground problem; sensor wiring damaged near hot exhaust. The code narrows the system t
P0135 Code: Oxygen Sensor Heater Circuit Bank 1 Sensor 1
P0135 means the heater circuit for the upstream oxygen sensor on bank 1 is not working as expected. The heater helps the sensor reach operating temperature quickly so the engine can control fuel accurately after startup.
P0420 Code: Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold
P0420 means the engine computer sees that the catalytic converter on bank 1 is not cleaning exhaust as efficiently as expected. The converter may be worn, but exhaust leaks, oxygen sensor problems, misfires, or fuel mixture issues can also
P0430 Code: Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold Bank 2
P0430 means the engine computer believes the catalytic converter on bank 2 is not reducing exhaust pollutants well enough. On V-style engines, bank 2 is the side that does not contain cylinder 1. The code can come from the converter itself,
EVAP
P0440 Code: EVAP System Malfunction
P0440 is a broad EVAP system fault. Instead of identifying a specific leak size or valve circuit, the computer is saying the fuel vapor control system did not pass its expected self-test.
P0441 Code: Incorrect EVAP purge flow
When P0441 appears, focus on incorrect EVAP purge flow and the conditions recorded when the monitor failed. The practical path is confirm the fuel cap is correct and sealing; then check whether loose, damaged, or incorrect fuel cap, wiring,
P0442 Code: Small EVAP System Leak Detected
P0442 means the evaporative emissions system detected a small vapor leak. The vehicle may drive normally, but the fuel vapor system is not sealing tightly enough during the onboard leak test.
P0446 Code: EVAP Vent Control Circuit or Performance Fault
P0446 means the EVAP vent control system is not behaving as expected. The vent valve may be stuck, blocked, electrically faulty, or unable to seal the fuel vapor system during testing.
P0455 Code: Large EVAP System Leak Detected
P0455 means the fuel vapor system cannot hold pressure or vacuum during its self-test, and the leak appears large. A loose gas cap is a common simple cause, but hoses, valves, and the charcoal canister can also leak.
P0456 Code: Small EVAP leak
P0456 is best read as a evap evidence trail. In this case the important clues are loose, damaged, or incorrect fuel cap; evap hose leak or cracked vapor line; purge valve or vent valve not sealing correctly. The code narrows the system to t
P0496 Code: EVAP purge flow at the wrong time
When P0496 appears, focus on EVAP purge flow at the wrong time and the conditions recorded when the monitor failed. The practical path is confirm the fuel cap is correct and sealing; then check whether loose, damaged, or incorrect fuel cap,
P1450 Code: Unable to Bleed Fuel Tank Vacuum
P1450 usually means the vehicle cannot relieve fuel tank vacuum as expected during EVAP operation. It is often associated with purge or vent control problems, a restricted vapor path, or a fuel tank pressure reading that does not change nor
Cooling / thermostat
P0118 Code: Engine coolant temperature high signal
P0118 is best read as a cooling system evidence trail. In this case the important clues are low coolant or trapped air; thermostat stuck open or closed; faulty coolant temperature sensor. The code narrows the system to test, but the repair
P0128 Code: Coolant Temperature Below Thermostat Regulating Temperature
P0128 means the engine is taking too long to reach the expected operating temperature. A thermostat stuck open is common, but low coolant, sensor readings, wiring, and fan behavior should be checked before parts are replaced.
Transmission
P0700 Code: Transmission Control System Malfunction
P0700 means the transmission control module has reported a fault and asked the engine computer to turn on the check engine light. It is a pointer code, so the next step is reading the transmission module for the specific fault.
P0740 Code: Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Malfunction
P0740 means the computer sees a problem in the torque converter clutch control circuit or its expected operation. The clutch helps lock the converter at cruising speed for efficiency, so faults may affect shifting, heat, and fuel economy.
P0750 Code: Shift Solenoid A Malfunction
P0750 means the transmission computer detected a problem with shift solenoid A or the circuit that controls it. The solenoid helps route fluid pressure for gear changes, so faults can cause harsh shifts, wrong gear starts, or limp mode.
VVT / timing
P0011 Code: A Camshaft Position Timing Over Advanced Bank 1
P0011 means the intake camshaft timing on bank 1 is more advanced than the engine computer expected. Variable valve timing systems depend on clean oil, correct oil pressure, working solenoids, and accurate cam/crank signals.
P0014 Code: B Camshaft Position Timing Over Advanced Bank 1
P0014 means the exhaust camshaft timing on bank 1 is advanced beyond the expected range. Oil quality, VVT solenoid control, actuator movement, wiring, and mechanical timing all affect this code.
EGR
P0401 Code: Exhaust Gas Recirculation Flow Insufficient
P0401 means the engine computer commanded EGR flow but did not see enough exhaust gas recirculation. Carbon buildup, valve problems, vacuum control faults, or sensor feedback issues can keep the system from flowing as expected.
P0402 Code: Exhaust Gas Recirculation Flow Excessive
P0402 means the engine computer believes too much exhaust gas is entering the intake through the EGR system. An EGR valve stuck open, control fault, or misleading sensor feedback can make the engine stumble because exhaust dilutes the air-f
Other
P0113 Code: Intake air temperature sensor high signal
P0113 is best read as a intake air temperature evidence trail. In this case the important clues are dirty or failed airflow, pressure, or temperature sensor; air leak after the measured airflow point; wiring, connector, or reference voltage
P0121 Code: Throttle position sensor range or performance problem
When P0121 appears, focus on throttle position sensor range or performance problem and the conditions recorded when the monitor failed. The practical path is check for reduced-power or throttle companion codes; then check whether throttle o
P0122 Code: Throttle position sensor low signal
P0122 is best read as a throttle position evidence trail. In this case the important clues are throttle or pedal position sensor signal mismatch; dirty or sticking throttle body; wiring or connector fault at the throttle body. The code narr
P0123 Code: Throttle position sensor high signal
P0123 does not prove one failed part. It means the computer saw throttle position sensor high signal. Use the code to choose tests around check for reduced-power or throttle companion codes; inspect throttle body and pedal connectors; if th
P0463 Code: Fuel level sensor high signal
P0463 points to fuel level sensor high signal in the fuel level sensor system. The first diagnostic branch usually separates loose, damaged, or incorrect fuel cap; evap hose leak or cracked vapor line; purge valve or vent valve not sealing