Powertrain, shared range

P3471 Cylinder 9 Exhaust Valve Control Circuit Low

Check engine lightOn
EmissionsRelevant
Drive cycleNot required
Limp modeNo

A low reading on the control line of the cylinder 9 exhaust valve actuator triggers P3471, most often a wire grounded against the engine or body. No manufacturer documents this code publicly; J2012 reserves the codes for cylinders 9 to 12 for engines with more than eight cylinders. Because known shut-off systems on engines above eight cylinders either drop a whole bank by fuel and spark (Audi R8 V10) or close the valves with one shared actuator per cylinder (as in GM's design), a separately wired exhaust actuator on cylinder 9 would be unusual. If such a circuit is present, test it the same way as the intake circuit: resistance to ground with the connector unplugged, then the coil. P3469 is the open-circuit fault, P3472 the short to voltage, P3467 the matching intake code.

Likely causes

Exhaust actuator wire of cylinder 9 grounded
Internal short in the exhaust actuator
Engine control module output damaged

Symptoms

  • Check engine lamp on
  • Partial-cylinder mode unavailable

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

P3469P3470P3472P3467P3497

References: law.cornell.edu, audi-mediacenter.com, static.nhtsa.gov, patents.google.com.