Powertrain, shared range

P3465 Cylinder 9 Deactivation/Intake Valve Control Circuit/Open

Check engine lightOn

EmissionsRelevant

Drive cycleNot required

Limp modeNo

P3465 flags an open circuit to the actuator meant to shut down cylinder 9 or hold its intake valve closed. No manufacturer documents this code publicly; J2012 reserves the codes for cylinders 9 to 12 for engines with more than eight cylinders. Among such engines, Mercedes' M137 V12 (S 600 and CL 600, 1998 to 2002) had a shut-off system built around a solenoid pack and oil pressure tubes, whereas Audi's R8 V10 idles a whole bank by stopping injection and ignition. For orientation, GM treats the comparable circuit on its V8s as open above 200 kohm with the driver off, 20 failures in 25 samples. P3467 and P3468 cover shorts on the same line, P3466 a mechanical fault, P3469 the exhaust side of cylinder 9.

Likely causes

Broken or chafed wire to the cylinder 9 actuator

Open coil in the cylinder 9 solenoid

Loose or corroded connector at the solenoid pack

Output stage in the engine control module failed

Symptoms

Check engine lamp on
Cylinder shut-off no longer engages
Slightly higher fuel consumption at part 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

References: law.cornell.edu, en.wikipedia.org, media.audiusa.com, gsi.ext.gm.com.