Powertrain, shared range

P3444 Cylinder 6 Deactivation/Intake Valve Control Circuit High

Check engine lightOn
EmissionsRelevant
Drive cycleNot required
Limp modeNo

P3444 is set when the output that switches the cylinder 6 deactivation solenoid to ground still sees supply voltage while it is turned on, meaning the line has a short to power instead of a path through the coil. GM tests this on the 2019 L84, L86 and LT4 V8s with a limit of 0.5 ohm to controller power, 20 errors out of 25 samples at 250 ms intervals and Type B lamp logic. On the L84, whose solenoids also have a switched high-side feed, a short to voltage on that feed has the separate GM code P3115. Because the ECM can no longer energize the valve, cylinder 6 simply keeps firing and the engine gives up four-cylinder operation. Compare P3441 (open) and P3443 (short to ground).

Likely causes

Cylinder 6 control wire in contact with a supply wire in the harness
Shorted turns in the cylinder 6 solenoid coil
Faulty output stage in the engine control module

Symptoms

  • Check engine lamp on
  • Engine runs on all eight cylinders permanently
  • Slightly higher fuel consumption at light load

Repair estimate

DifficultyMediumDIY possible
Parts and labour€60–900
Time0.5–4 h

Typical range across vehicles; the real cost depends on what the testing finds.

Parts involved

cylinder deactivation solenoidwiring harnessecm

Related codes

P3441P3442P3443P3448P3497

References: law.cornell.edu, gsi.ext.gm.com, gsi.ext.gm.com.