C3431 Diagnostic Trouble Code

C3431 is a kind of OBD-II Diagnostic C-Chassis Diagnostic Trouble Code.

It is considered generic because it applies to all makes and models of vehicles, although specific repair steps may be different depending on your car model.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a C3431 diagnostic trouble code may include:

Cherry red hot catalytic converter
Poor acceleration
The light may stay on or light intermittently as the DPF regenerates. The engine will be sluggish on acceleration.
The engine oil will exhibit dilution from the ECUs attempts to increase engine temperature. Some vehicles advance the fuel injection timing slightly after top center to afterburn a small amount of fuel to increase exhaust temperatures. Some of this fuel enters the crankcase. When the ECU determines the necessity to regenerate the DPF, the service life of the oil be shortened significantly

Possible Causes :

Defective ECU strategies or components will prevent proper regeneration
The Mass Airflow sensor is a hot wire that senses the volume of air entering the intake manifold. The computer uses this information to control fuel mixture.
An air leak forward of the DPF will change the sensor readings resulting in the code

Repair Processes :

With the valve disconnected, the red voltmeter lead should be attached to the IMRC valve power wire and the black voltmeter lead connected to ground. You might continue by connecting the scanner to the vehicle diagnostic connector and retrieving all stored codes and freeze frame data.

Process Tips

Diagnostic trouble code C3431 is not difficult to diagnose and repair. Thus, it always pays to have a qualified technician to look after your vehicle should this error code arise.

Diagnosing this code requires the engine to be in good running shape, without unmetered air entering the engine. If other codes that relates to misfiring condition, lean running or air entering the engine is present, then you must first fix those error codes before C3431.

Fortunately, C3431 is a fairly common OBD code, meaning that it applies to all makes and models of vehicles made after 1996.

C3431 Trouble Code For Specific Cars

C3431 Honda Acura Rdx Pressure Control Solenoid B Malfunction
C3431 Audi S3 Audio CD/DJ Internal Fault
C3431 Dkw Universal Ignition Coil - Cylinder 6 - Early Activation Fault
C3431 Kissel 8 Servo Motor Potentiometer Airintake Right Circuit Failure
C3431 Rover 3-litre Ignition Coil A Primary/Secondary Circuit Malfunction
C3431 Saturn Astra Illuminated Entry Relay Short To Ground
C3431 Ferrari 126 Injector Circuit Open / Shorted - Cylinder #6