C3698 Diagnostic Trouble Code

C3698 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 C3698 diagnostic trouble code may include:

Faulty or damaged wiring
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
Poor fuel economy
Reduction in engine performance, especially at low RPM levels

Possible Causes :

A faulty oxygen sensor. This will set a code in itself, however, a faulty oxygen sensor does not automatically condemn the sensor. The code just means that the sensor signal was not within specifications. An air leak or any of the above will cause an erroneous signal. There is a multitude of O2 codes relating to O2 performance which gives a clue to the problematic area.
Some aftermarket accessories and performance modifications
A large vacuum leak would cause a massive amount of un-metered air to enter the intake manifold resulting in an overly lean mixture.

Repair Processes :

Look for missing ground strap or a rusty ground where the fuel tank is grounded to the frame. Check for damage to the wiring harness connector. Now, clear the codes and test-drive the vehicle to see if the code is reset. Replace the oxygen sensor that is downstream from the catalytic converter on the side of the engine that does not contain cylinder #1. Also, if a oxygen sensor code stating "heater circuit malfunction" the sensor has most probably failed.

Process Tips

Diagnostic trouble code C3698 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 C3698.

Fortunately, C3698 is a fairly common OBD code, meaning that it applies to all makes and models of vehicles made after 1996.

C3698 Trouble Code For Specific Cars

C3698 Austin Princess Aux A/C Blower Speed 2 Circuit Failure
C3698 Sunbeam Vogue Mass or Volume Air flow Circuit Intermittent
C3698 Volvo Xc70
C3698 Bentley Mark V Battery Saver Relay Coil Circuit Open
C3698 Amc Spirit Air Suspension Gate Solenoid Output Circuit Short To Ground
C3698 Volkswagen Touran Ii
C3698 Elfin Ms Injection Pump Fuel Metering Control "A" High (Cam/Rotor/Injector)