The P3497 code is an engine misfire code that refers to when your Powertrain Control Module (PCM), your car’s computer, detects that there’s an issue with your car’s cylinder deactivation system.
This system is commonly found in cars with six or more engine cylinders. The cylinder deactivation operation is necessary because the variable displacement of select cylinders can help your engine to conserve power when excess power isn’t needed, such as when you’re idling or driving down a highway.
The P3497 cylinder deactivation code affects Bank 2 specifically.
What Does Code P3497 Mean?
The P3497 code stands for “Cylinder Deactivation System Bank 2,” which means there’s an issue in engine bank 2 of the cylinder deactivation system. Some common causes of the P3497 code include a low engine oil level, dirty engine oil, and damaged wiring.
Under specific driving conditions, all of the engine’s horsepower might not be needed. These driving conditions typically involve low throttle and highway speeds. The cylinder deactivation system disables corresponding cylinders to conserve fuel when these circumstances arise.
Potential Causes of a P3497 Code
- Low engine oil level or pressure
- Dirty engine oil
- Circuit problems, such as damaged wires or poor connections
- Faulty cylinder deactivation system control solenoid
- Bad cylinder deactivation system sensor/switch
- PCM failure
P3497 Code Symptoms
- Illuminated check engine light
- Poor engine performance
- Excessive fuel consumption
How to Fix P3497
Here are some steps which a mechanic should follow for diagnosing the problem that triggered a P3497 code to be stored.
- Inspect for technical service bulletins which pertain to the vehicle, symptoms, and codes. In some circumstances this can save a lot of time in the long run by pointing you in the right direction.
- After that the next step is to inspect the condition of the engine oil and then confirm it is serviced to the appropriate level. After that all the components which are related with the Cylinder Deactivation System Bank 2should be located and then search for obvious physical damage.
- It all depends upon the particular vehicle and this circuit may incorporate several components including the deactivation solenoid, switches, fault indicators and the ECM.
- A proper visual inspection should be performed to inspect the related wiring for obvious defects such as scraping, rubbing, bare wires, or burn spots. Then examine the connectors and connections for security, corrosion and faulty pins.
- This process should include all wiring connectors and connections to all constituents including the engine control module.
- You can always consult the particular tech data for the automobile to check the configuration of the Cylinder Deactivation System Bank 2 and confirm every component incorporated within the circuit which may include a fuse or a fuse-able link.
- Then make sure the fluid level is correct and inspect the condition of the fluid for contamination. After that perform visual inspection to check the associated wiring for obvious defects such as scraping, rubbing, bare wires, or burn spots should be performed.
- Next is to check the connectors and connections for security, corrosion and damaged pins. This process must include all wiring and connectors to the transmission solenoids, transmission pump and the PCM. It depends upon the configuration; the transmission linkage should be inspected for security and binding issues.
- The advanced steps become very vehicle specific and require the appropriate advanced equipment to perform accurately. These procedures require a digital multimeter and the specific technical references for the vehicle.
- Voltage requirements will vary based of the specific year and model of the vehicle. You should follow the specific troubleshooting chart for your vehicle.
- Continuity checks should always be performed with the power removed from the circuit and the normal readings for wiring and connections should be 0 ohms of resistance unless otherwise specified by the technical data.
- Resistance or no continuity is an indication of faulty wiring that is open or shorted and must be repaired or replaced.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix a P3497 Code?
Fixing a P3497 code, which indicates a problem with the cylinder deactivation system on Bank 2 of your engine, can cost anywhere between $200 and $800 depending on the cause of the issue and the specific vehicle, with the most likely culprits being a faulty deactivation solenoid, wiring issues, or a problem with the engine control module (ECM) that needs to be diagnosed and potentially replaced.