What it means
The control circuit of intake air heater C reports a circuit/open condition. Cold-start preheating cannot be commanded as expected.
At a glance
- Usually lights the check-engine light
- Affects emissions; the car can fail an emissions test
How it works
Intake air heater C warms incoming air to help the engine start and run cleanly in cold conditions. The control module monitors the heater C circuit and sets P2CE1 when it detects an open circuit, such as a broken wire, disconnected pin, or failed heater element, so the heater cannot be commanded normally.
Common causes
Most likely first.
- Open in heater control wire
- Open heater element
- Pin pushed back out of connector body
Symptoms
- Check-engine light
- Hard starting in cold weather
- Rough running or white exhaust smoke after a cold start
How to diagnose it
- Record freeze-frame data and any intake-heater codes, and note whether hard starting or rough running occurs only in cold weather.
- With the system off, inspect heater C's connector for a pushed-back pin, corrosion, looseness, or heat damage, and follow the wiring to look for breaks.
- Check heater C's element and circuit for continuity using the vehicle manufacturer's test procedure to distinguish an open element from an open wire.
- Check the heater C control circuit and its power and ground connections against the manufacturer's specification.
- If the wiring and element pass basic checks, verify the module's heater command and control output using the manufacturer's diagnostic procedure.
Common fixes
- Reseat a pushed-back heater C connector pin and repair any damaged connector housing.
- Repair an open or broken wire in the intake air heater C circuit.
- Replace the intake air heater C element if it is confirmed open.
- Repair the heater C control circuit or replace a confirmed faulty control component.
Can I keep driving?
In mild weather the engine may remain drivable, but cold starts can become difficult and cause rough running or white exhaust smoke. Avoid repeated long cranking, which can drain the battery and increase unburned fuel in the exhaust.
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.