P0410: Secondary air injection system malfunction
The system that blows air into the exhaust on cold starts is not working properly. It is usually the air pump, its valve or a split hose.
| Code | P0410 |
|---|---|
| System | Engine and transmission |
| Group | P04xx, Emissions control |
| Type | Generic: it means the same on every make |
| Can you keep driving? | Yes, no rush |
What P0410 means
Some petrol engines have a pump that, for a minute or two after a cold start, pushes air into the exhaust to heat the catalytic converter faster and burn off unburnt gases. The ECU checks that the air is getting there, usually through the oxygen sensor, and has found a problem.
Most common causes
- Split or loose secondary air hose
- Check valve blocked by carbon or moisture
- Faulty secondary air pump or water inside it
- Pump relay or fuse
- Faulty switching valve or its vacuum hose
- Pump connector or wiring
Symptoms
- Engine warning light on
- Odd noise from the pump on a cold start, or no sound at all
- Failing an emissions test
- Car usually drives the same
Can you drive with P0410?
Yes, no rush The system only works for a few minutes from cold, so you can drive normally. Fix it when convenient, before the next inspection.
Open the bonnetthe in-depth explanation
How to check it
Start the engine from cold with the bonnet open: for the first minute you should hear the air pump humming. If there is no sound, or it sounds laboured, tell the garage.
How to read and clear P0410 with Final OBD
Plug an OBD2 scanner in under the steering wheel, switch the ignition on and open Final OBD. Under Faults you’ll see P0410 with its description and whether it’s confirmed, pending or permanent.
If the engine stores it over standard OBD, with FREE you read this code with its explanation for nothing and clear it. With PRO you also read the faults of every control unit and clear them in all of them.
Clearing the code only turns the light off: if the cause is still there, it comes back. Clear it once it’s fixed, and not right before an inspection. It’s all in how to read and clear fault codes and in inspections and OBD.
Similar codes
- P040C The exhaust gas recirculation temperature sensor A gives a lower signal than
- P040D The exhaust gas recirculation temperature sensor A gives a higher signal than
- P040E The exhaust gas recirculation temperature sensor A fails now and then
- P040F EGR temperature sensors A and B do not agree
- P0411 Secondary air injection incorrect flow detected
- P0412 Secondary air switching valve A circuit malfunction
- P0413 The secondary air injection system switching valve A has a broken or
- P0414 The secondary air injection system switching valve A has a short circuit
- P0400 Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) flow malfunction
- P0401 Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) flow insufficient
- P0402 Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) flow excessive
- P0403 EGR control circuit malfunction
What does code P0410 mean?
Some petrol engines have a pump that, for a minute or two after a cold start, pushes air into the exhaust to heat the catalytic converter faster and burn off unburnt gases. The ECU checks that the air is getting there, usually through the oxygen sensor, and has found a problem.
Can you drive with P0410?
The system only works for a few minutes from cold, so you can drive normally. Fix it when convenient, before the next inspection.
How do you clear P0410?
With an OBD2 scanner and an app like Final OBD, which clears it for free if it’s stored by the engine control unit. But clearing it only turns the light off: if the cause isn’t fixed, P0410 comes back.
Read it on your car
Final OBD reads and clears engine faults through standard OBD for free, each one explained in plain English. With PRO it also reads the faults of every control unit, each make’s own codes included, and clears them in all of them.
