P02EA

What it means

P02EA means the engine control unit has seen an intermittent or erratic signal from the position sensor for diesel intake air flow control actuator 'A'. This is usually the intake throttle or air flow valve on a diesel, but the exact component and its location depend on the model and engine. The feedback signal jumped, dropped out or did not match the commanded position, so the fault was logged.

Symptoms

• Engine warning light on
• Intermittent loss of power or limp mode
• Rough idle or hesitation at times
• Uneven or unstable engine shutdown
• Increased smoke or poor fuel economy
• Other related codes stored for boost or air flow

Possible causes

• Loose, corroded or damaged connector at the intake air flow valve or its position sensorlikely
• Chafed, broken or high-resistance wiring between the valve and the control unit, affecting the signal, supply or groundlikely
• Faulty position sensor inside the intake air flow valve or throttle actuatorlikely
• Valve sticking or binding because of soot and carbon build-up, giving an erratic feedback signalpossible
• Low or unstable supply voltage or poor earth connection affecting the sensor referencepossible
• Fault in the engine control unitrare

How to diagnose

1. Read all stored and pending codes and record the freeze frame data, noting engine speed, load and temperature when the fault set.
2. Check for related codes covering the intake air flow control circuit, boost pressure or air mass, as they may point to a common cause.
3. Visually inspect the valve, its connector and the wiring for damage, chafing, heat damage, water ingress or corrosion.
4. With the connector disturbed gently (wiggle test) and the live data on screen, watch the position feedback for dropouts or jumps.
5. Compare commanded and actual valve position in live data while using the actuator test if the diagnostic equipment supports it.
6. Check the sensor supply, signal and earth circuits for correct voltage, continuity and resistance against the manufacturer's data for that model.
7. Remove the valve if accessible and check for sticking, heavy soot or mechanical damage, following the manufacturer's procedure.
8. Check battery condition and charging voltage, and check the control unit earths.

How to fix

• Clean, repair or replace corroded or damaged connector terminals.
• Repair or replace damaged wiring found during the circuit tests.
• Replace the intake air flow valve or actuator assembly if the position sensor or mechanism is faulty.
• Carefully clean a sooted valve only where the manufacturer allows it, and replace it if it still binds.
• Correct battery, charging or earth faults, then clear the codes and road test to confirm the fault does not return.

Can I keep driving?

Nearby codes

• P02E9GenericDiesel Intake Air Flow A Position Sensor Circuit High
• P02EBGenericDiesel Intake Air Flow A Control Motor Current Range/Performance