Engine

P0243 — Turbocharger Wastegate Solenoid A Malfunction

Severity: medium Drive with care, to a shop

What P0243 means

The engine control unit regulates turbo boost with a solenoid that controls the wastegate, the valve that bleeds exhaust past the turbine. P0243 sets when the solenoid A circuit is faulty or its control signal does not match what the ECM expects. As a result, boost may not be controlled correctly.

Symptoms

  • Check Engine light on
  • Reduced power or sluggish acceleration
  • Boost pressure lower than expected
  • Limp mode
  • Overboost or underboost
  • Unusual turbo noise

Possible causes

  1. Failed wastegate solenoid A
  2. Open or shorted wiring to the solenoid
  3. Poor connection or corrosion at the connector
  4. Leaking, cracked or disconnected vacuum lines
  5. Stuck wastegate actuator or flap
  6. ECM output driver fault (rare)

How to diagnose

  1. Scan for codes and freeze frame data, and note any other boost-related codes
  2. Inspect the solenoid wiring and connector for chafing, corrosion or heat damage
  3. Check vacuum hoses and lines for cracks, kinks and leaks
  4. Measure the solenoid coil resistance and compare to specification
  5. Check supply voltage and control signal at the connector, and test for shorts to ground
  6. Compare specified and actual boost with live data
  7. Check that the wastegate actuator moves freely through its full range
  8. Command the solenoid with a scan tool active test and confirm it responds

Common fixes

  • Repair wiring and clean or replace the connector
  • Replace wastegate solenoid A
  • Replace damaged vacuum hoses
  • Replace or repair a stuck wastegate actuator or the turbo
  • Replace or reprogram the ECM only if a fault is confirmed (rare)

P0243 on different brands

Ford · manuals
Ford uses the extended code P0243:16, meaning circuit voltage below the threshold on the wastegate solenoid A; it describes the monitor condition detected, not necessarily a failed solenoid.

Questions and answers

Can I drive with a P0243 code?

For a short time and carefully, yes, but expect reduced power. If boost gets out of control, the engine or turbo can be damaged, so have it diagnosed soon.

What most often causes P0243?

Usually the wastegate solenoid itself or damaged wiring or a corroded connector. Also check the vacuum lines and whether the wastegate actuator moves freely.

Will clearing the code fix it?

No. If the cause remains, the code will return. Find the fault in the solenoid circuit, hoses or actuator first, then clear the code and see if it comes back.

This is general information about the code. The meaning can differ between makes and models: a scan tool and the repair manual for your car will show the exact cause.