What Does P3446 Mean?
The ECM has detected that the cylinder 6 exhaust valve control solenoid is not performing within expected parameters. The solenoid is actuating but exhibiting abnormal response characteristics such as sluggish current draw, delayed mechanical response, or inconsistent hydraulic action. This affects the smoothness of cylinder 6 deactivation transitions.
Common Causes
35%
Oil sludge or debris restricting the VLOM oil passages for the cylinder 6 exhaust valve solenoid
25%
Low engine oil pressure reducing hydraulic response of the solenoid
25%
Degrading solenoid coil with borderline electrical characteristics
15%
Intermittent wiring connection causing erratic solenoid behavior
Diagnostic Steps
1
Step 1: Check engine oil level and condition. Verify the correct viscosity oil is being used and that it has not exceeded its change interval. Contaminated oil is the most common cause of deactivation solenoid performance issues.
2
Step 2: Verify oil pressure with a mechanical gauge at idle and 2000 RPM. Low pressure will affect all solenoid performance codes.
3
Step 3: Measure solenoid coil resistance and compare to specification. Borderline values suggest impending failure.
4
Step 4: Capture solenoid current waveform with a lab scope during commanded activation. Compare response timing and amplitude to a known-good solenoid.
5
Step 5: Perform an engine oil flush with a quality flushing agent, install a new filter, and refill with correct specification oil. Clear codes and monitor over 100+ miles.
Estimated Repair Cost
$100 - $700
Parts + labor, varies by vehicle and location
The ECM has detected that the cylinder 6 exhaust valve control solenoid is not performing within expected parameters. The solenoid is actuating but exhibiting abnormal response characteristics such as sluggish current draw, delayed mechanical response, or inconsistent hydraulic action. This affects ...
The most common cause of P3446 (Cylinder 6 Exhaust Valve Control Circuit Performance) is: Oil sludge or debris restricting the VLOM oil passages for the cylinder 6 exhaust valve solenoid
Typical repair costs for P3446 range from $100 to $700, depending on the vehicle, location, and whether you do it yourself or go to a shop.
Safe to drive. Reduced fuel economy and possible mild vibration during deactivation mode transitions. Underlying oil quality or pressure concerns should be addressed promptly.
Start by connecting an OBD2 scanner to read the code and any freeze frame data. Then follow the diagnostic steps specific to P3446 to identify the root cause.
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Quick Info
Category
Powertrain
System
Cylinder Deactivation System
Difficulty
Type
Generic (SAE)
Recommended Tools
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