P3438: The cylinder 5 exhaust valve control gives readings outside the normal range
The cylinder 5 exhaust valve control gives readings outside the normal range. It is usually the part, its wiring or a connector with poor contact.
| Code | P3438 |
|---|---|
| System | Engine and transmission |
| Group | P34xx, Cylinder deactivation |
| Type | Generic: it means the same on every make |
How to read and clear P3438 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 P3438 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
- P3434 The circuit controlling intake valve deactivation on cylinder 5 is not working
- P3435 The circuit controlling intake valve deactivation on cylinder 5 has a low signal
- P3436 The circuit controlling intake valve deactivation on cylinder 5 has a high
- P3437 The cylinder 5 exhaust valve control has a broken or disconnected wire
- P3439 The cylinder 5 exhaust valve control gives a lower signal than normal
- P3440 The cylinder 5 exhaust valve control gives a higher signal than normal
- P3441 An intake valve deactivation control circuit is open
- P3442 The circuit controlling intake valve deactivation on cylinder 6 is not working
What does code P3438 mean?
The cylinder 5 exhaust valve control gives readings outside the normal range. It is usually the part, its wiring or a connector with poor contact.
How do you clear P3438?
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, P3438 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.
