What Does P3443 Mean?
The ECM has detected an abnormally low voltage on the cylinder 6 intake valve deactivation solenoid control circuit. A low circuit condition indicates the solenoid control wire is shorted to ground, pulling the voltage below the ECM's expected threshold. This disables the cylinder deactivation capability for cylinder 6.
Common Causes
40%
Short to ground in the cylinder 6 intake valve solenoid wiring harness
30%
Internally shorted cylinder 6 intake valve deactivation solenoid
20%
Moisture or oil contamination at the VLOM connector creating a ground path
10%
ECM driver circuit malfunction holding the output low
Diagnostic Steps
1
Step 1: Disconnect the cylinder 6 intake valve solenoid at the VLOM. Clear codes and check if the low voltage condition resolves. Resolution with disconnection points to a solenoid fault.
2
Step 2: Measure the solenoid coil resistance — expect 5-12 ohms. A reading below 3 ohms confirms a shorted coil winding.
3
Step 3: With the solenoid disconnected, check resistance from each harness wire to chassis ground. Readings under 10K ohms indicate a short to ground in the wiring.
4
Step 4: Inspect the harness from the VLOM connector to the ECM for chafed insulation, heat damage, or pinch points near brackets, exhaust, or moving components.
5
Step 5: If all external tests are normal, monitor the ECM driver state with a scan tool while measuring circuit voltage. An ECM that holds the circuit low without commanding it indicates an internal failure.
Estimated Repair Cost
$100 - $650
Parts + labor, varies by vehicle and location
The ECM has detected an abnormally low voltage on the cylinder 6 intake valve deactivation solenoid control circuit. A low circuit condition indicates the solenoid control wire is shorted to ground, pulling the voltage below the ECM's expected threshold. This disables the cylinder deactivation capab...
The most common cause of P3443 (Cylinder 6 Deactivation/Intake Valve Control Circuit Low) is: Short to ground in the cylinder 6 intake valve solenoid wiring harness
Typical repair costs for P3443 range from $100 to $650, depending on the vehicle, location, and whether you do it yourself or go to a shop.
Safe to drive with cylinder deactivation disabled. Repair in a timely manner to prevent excess current draw that could damage the ECM driver circuit.
Start by connecting an OBD2 scanner to read the code and any freeze frame data. Then follow the diagnostic steps specific to P3443 to identify the root cause.
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Quick Info
Category
Powertrain
System
Cylinder Deactivation System
Difficulty
Type
Generic (SAE)
Recommended Tools
OBD2 Scanner
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