What it means
The piston-cooling oil-jet control circuit is open. Modern engines with under-piston oil jets switch them on under high load to cool the piston crown — controlled by a solenoid valve in the oil gallery. With the circuit broken, jets cannot be commanded on or stay locked off, raising piston temperatures under load.
At a glance
- Usually lights the check-engine light
How it works
Some engines use oil jets beneath the pistons to carry heat away when the engine is under heavy load. The control module monitors the electrical circuit for the solenoid that controls those jets; this code sets when the circuit is open, so the jets may not operate when commanded.
Common causes
Most likely first.
- Open control wire to the solenoid
- Open solenoid coil
- Pin pushed back out of connector body
Symptoms
- Check-engine light may come on
- Reduced engine power or performance under heavy load
- Engine may run hotter or show an oil-temperature warning
How to diagnose it
- Record freeze-frame data and check for related oil-temperature, oil-pressure, or engine-protection codes to understand the operating conditions.
- Inspect the piston-cooling oil-control solenoid connector and harness for disconnection, damage, corrosion, or pushed-back pins.
- Check the solenoid coil and its connector for an open circuit using the vehicle's wiring information.
- Test continuity through the control wire between the solenoid and module, checking for a break or poor terminal contact.
- Compare solenoid and circuit results with the manufacturer's specification before considering module or internal oil-system faults.
Common fixes
- Reconnect the piston-cooling oil-control solenoid connector if it is loose.
- Repair an open or damaged control wire and secure the harness.
- Repair pushed-back or corroded connector terminals.
- Replace the solenoid if its coil is open.
Can I keep driving?
Avoid towing, hard acceleration, and sustained high-load driving until the fault is repaired, because piston cooling may be unavailable when needed. Stop if an oil-temperature or oil-pressure warning appears or the engine makes unusual noise.
A code shows where the control module detected a fault, not always which part failed. Check the causes in order and confirm with a test before replacing parts. Have several codes? Check them together
This is a generic code: it means the same on every make. The car’s maker may add more detail in its own service information.