Leaking, split, disconnected or blocked vacuum or pressure hoses to the wastegate actuator or control solenoid; Faulty wastegate control solenoid or electric actuator, or its wiring and connector damaged, corroded or loose; Wastegate actuator diaphragm leaking or its rod seized, stuck or out of adjustment; Wastegate flap or linkage sticking due to carbon build-up or heat damage inside the turbo; Boost leaks elsewhere in the intake system (intercooler, pipes, clamps) or a faulty boost pressure or MAP sensor giving a false reading; Weak vacuum supply, for example from a faulty vacuum pump or reservoir, on systems that use vacuum actuation; Outdated or faulty control unit software where the manufacturer has documented this as a cause for the specific model.

P0244

Turbocharger/Supercharger Wastegate Actuator A Range/Performance.

Generic
Powertrain
Generic code
Medium severity

How this code is built

P: SystemPowertrain
0: Defined bySAE, the same on every car
2: AreaFuel and air metering (injector circuit)
44: FaultThe specific fault in that area

What it means

P0244 means the engine control unit has found that turbocharger or supercharger wastegate actuator A is not behaving as commanded. The actual boost pressure or actuator position does not match the target, or the response is outside the expected range. The exact monitoring method and how the actuator is driven (vacuum, electric or pneumatic via a solenoid) depend on the vehicle.

Symptoms

Engine warning light on
Loss of power or sluggish acceleration, often with the car entering limp mode
Boost pressure lower or higher than expected
Whistling, hissing or fluttering noises from the turbo or hoses
Poor fuel economy
Overboost cut-out or surging under load

Possible causes

Leaking, split, disconnected or blocked vacuum or pressure hoses to the wastegate actuator or control solenoidlikely
Faulty wastegate control solenoid or electric actuator, or its wiring and connector damaged, corroded or looselikely
Wastegate actuator diaphragm leaking or its rod seized, stuck or out of adjustmentlikely
Wastegate flap or linkage sticking due to carbon build-up or heat damage inside the turbopossible
Boost leaks elsewhere in the intake system (intercooler, pipes, clamps) or a faulty boost pressure or MAP sensor giving a false readingpossible
Weak vacuum supply, for example from a faulty vacuum pump or reservoir, on systems that use vacuum actuationpossible
Outdated or faulty control unit software where the manufacturer has documented this as a cause for the specific modelrare

How to diagnose

Read all stored and pending codes and review the freeze frame data for load, engine speed and boost at the time the fault set
Visually inspect the actuator, hoses, solenoid, wiring and connectors for splits, kinks, chafing, oil contamination, corrosion and heat damage
Check the intake and charge-air system for leaks, loose clamps and damaged pipes, and look for oil around joints
Compare commanded and actual boost and actuator position on live data, and check the boost or MAP sensor reading against expected values
Test the control solenoid or electric actuator for supply, earth, signal and resistance against the manufacturer's specification
Check the actuator for movement: apply the specified vacuum or pressure with a suitable hand pump, or use the control unit's actuator test where supported, and check it holds and the rod moves freely
On vacuum-operated systems, test vacuum supply and the vacuum pump or reservoir
Check for applicable software updates or technical service bulletins for the model and engine

How to fix

Replace split, leaking or blocked hoses and refit any disconnected ones securely
Repair damaged wiring or connectors, or replace a faulty control solenoid or electric actuator
Replace or adjust the wastegate actuator as the manufacturer specifies, and fit a new turbo where the actuator is not serviced separately
Free or replace a stuck wastegate flap or linkage, or replace the turbocharger if internal damage is found
Repair intake leaks and replace any faulty boost or MAP sensor
Update the control unit software only where a manufacturer update is known to address this fault

Can I keep driving?

Medium severity

The car can usually be driven gently for a short time, often in reduced-power mode, but it should be fixed soon. Uncontrolled overboost or a failing turbo can cause engine damage, so avoid heavy loads and stop if power surges or you hear unusual noises.

Guide written by AI from the code's definition. Confirm with a diagnosis before replacing parts.