P0491 Secondary Air Injection System Insufficient Flow Bank 1
OBD-II Trouble Code Technical Description
Secondary Air Injection System Insufficient Flow (Bank 1)
What does that mean?
This is a generic powertrain code, which means it covers all makes/models, 1996-newer.
However, specific troubleshooting steps will vary depending on the vehicle.
The secondary air injection system, commonly found on Audi, BMW, Porsche and VW vehicles – and may be found on other vehicles – features an air pump, an exhaust manifold, an input check valve, vacuum control switch, an electrical input circuit for the vacuum control switch and tons of vacuum hoses.
This system pumps fresh air into exhaust system during cold starts to feed oxygen and exhaust gases. This ensures a more complete burn of harmful emissions – hydrocarbons. After about minute, the system turns itself off.
If the air pump and check valve are faulty, they are normally easier to replace; however, many of the vacuum lines are under or behind the intake manifold. This makes them difficult to reach in most cases. The P0491 code tell there is a fault with the system – usually that the secondary air flow is too low on bank 1. Bank #1 is the side of the engine with cylinder #1. For bank #2, see code P0492.
Other secondary air injection system trouble codes include P0410, P0411, P0412, P0413, P0414, P0415, P0416, P0417, P0418, P0419, P041F, P044F, and P0492.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a P0491 engine code may include.
Potential Causes
Potential causes for a P0491 may include:
Diagnostic and Repair Procedures
Most of the diagnostic tests must be done when the engine is completely cold. Some of the follow-up tests may have to wait until the engine completely cools down again – usually a few hours. Some of the tests may also generate additional fault codes. Just remember to clear all of the fault codes when you have found and repaired the problem.
1. Check the pump. Be sure the engine is completely cold. Remove the pressure hose from the pump or from the manifold check valve – whichever is easier to reach. Have someone start the engine while you check to see that the pump is running and pumping air out of the end of the hose or outlet nipple (depending on where you disconnected it). If air is pumping, then go to step 4; if not, go to step 2.
2. Unplug the electrical harness connector from the pump. Apply 12 volts to the pump with jumper wires. The terminal with the brown wire is ground and the other terminal is positive. If the pump runs go to step 3; if not, the pump must be replaced.
3. Make sure the engine is cold, connect the multimeter, then have someone start the engine to do this step. Test the pump harness connector to ensure that it has 12 volts by checking power between the two terminals in the pump harness plug. If you have 12 volts, repeat the first three steps to ensure you did not make a mistake. If you don’t have 12 volts, check the fuses and the relay. If you do find a bad fuse or rely, replace it, then repeat this step to ensure you have power at the harness.
4. Make sure the engine is completely cold. Remove the pressure hose from the check valve. Check to see if air is coming out of the hose when you start the engine. Do not turn off the engine. After a minute does the valve close and stop the air flow? If so, then the check valve is working properly. If the valve did not ope, go to step 5. If the valve stays open remove the vacuum control hose and start the engine – the engine does not have to be cold for this test. If the valve stays open, the valve is bad; if it closed, the vacuum control switch is most likely the problem.
5. For this step, you’ll need a vacuum pump available at auto parts stores. Start the engine with the vacuum pump attached and holding a vacuum check valve nipple. If the valve is open, release vacuum. If the valve closes, the valve is okay. If the valve does not open at all or if it doesn’t close, then the valve needs to be replaced.
6. Let the engine completely cool. Attach the vacuum to the control hose at the check valve. Start the engine. You should have at least 10 to 15 inches of vacuum. If not, you may have to take the vehicle to a shop as further diagnostic testing requires the removal of some engine components. If no vacuum is present or the vacuum readings are low, go to step 7.
7. Locate your vehicle’s vacuum control switch. Trace the vacuum line from the check valve to the switch. Make not of any hardened spots in the hose, cracks or loose connections. Replace the hose if you find any of this, then repeat the test in step 6. If you still have no vacuum, you may have to remove engine parts to get to the switch.
8. Remove the input vacuum line on the control switch. Attach the vacuum gauge to the input hose to test manifold vacuum – with the engine running. If you have no vacuum, replace the vacuum line and repeat this step.
9. Apply vacuum to the vacuum control switch’s input nipple. The valve should be closed and the pump should not hold a vacuum. Apply 12 volts to the control switch’s two terminals with jumper wires. If the switch does not open and release the vacuum from the pump, then the switch needs to be replaced.
Secondary Air Injection Video
We are not affiliated with the producer of this video, but we are including it here as an additional resource for diagnosing your air injection problem(s).
Need help?
Let us fix your problem. You are most welcome our diagnosis experts have in most cases the knowledge and skills to find the cause of the error code p0491 and to solve the problems.
Make an appointment for diagnosis
"Delete Error Code Permanently, Disable DTC Error Code Function for p0491 in the ECU"
In extreme cases, we even have the option to permanently remove the specific DTC p0491 and disable the function of the specific error code in the ECU. All other fault code functions will then continue to work to protect the engine. This is different from clearing an error code with a diagnostic device. We have the option to permanently remove the function of the specific error code, so that it never comes back. Also emergency running that occurs on the specific error code can be solved in most cases.
Of course we prefer to first try to solve the cause of the error code, but sometimes the only solution is to permanently disable the DTC function of p0491.
