P0601 Diagnostic Trouble Code

P0601 is a kind of OBD-II Diagnostic P-Powertrain 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 P0601 diagnostic trouble code may include:

If the DPF is not cleared the ECU will revert to the "Limp Home Mode" until the situation is corrected
Corroded or damaged connector
Reduction in engine performance, especially at low RPM levels
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 :

A large vacuum leak would cause a massive amount of un-metered air to enter the intake manifold resulting in an overly lean mixture.
Faulty IMRC actuator/sensor
Fuel with a large percentage of sulfur will clog the DPF quickly

Repair Processes :

If the engine displays a miss and there wasn't a code, determine which cylinder is misfiring. If the exhaust manifold is visible, spay or pour a small amount of water on each cylinder exhaust port. Water will evaporate immediately on good cylinders and slowly on the missing cylinder. If this can't be accomplished pull the plugs and check the condition. Once located, visually inspect the connectors and wiring. Look for rubbing, scraping, bare wires, worn spots or melted plastic connectors. Find out what kind of system you have and verify that voltage to the fuel level sensor is present at the fuel pump wiring harness.

Process Tips

Diagnostic trouble code P0601 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 P0601.

Fortunately, P0601 is a fairly common OBD code, meaning that it applies to all makes and models of vehicles made after 1996.

P0601 Trouble Code For Specific Cars

P0601 Dixi T Idle Air Control Circuit Malfunction
P0601 Nissan 720 Climate Control A/C Post Evaporator Sensor Circuit Failure
P0601 Kia M-car Seatbelt Driver Pretensioner Circuit Open
P0601 Ferrari 330 Insufficient RMP Increase During Spark Test
P0601 Chevrolet Sail EIC Switch-2 Assembly Circuit Short To Battery
P0601 Chevrolet Astrovette Driver Door Handle Circuit Failure
P0601 Mercedes Clk 500 ABS Outlet Valve Coil Rear Circuit Open