P0414

AIR System Switching Valve A Circuit Shorted

Q: Is it safe to drive with P0414?

Yes. Secondary air injection only assists emissions during warm-up, so the car drives normally — but it will fail an emissions test until repaired.

Q: Can I just clear P0414?

It returns the next time the system is tested unless the shorted valve or wiring is repaired.

Secondary air injection (emissions) Generic OBD-II Medium

What it means

P0414 means the engine control module detected a short in the circuit for secondary air injection switching valve A. That system briefly pumps air into the exhaust after a cold start to help the catalytic converter warm up and cut emissions. Because it only operates during warm-up, the car drives normally; the real consequences are a check-engine light and a failed emissions test until the shorted valve or wiring is fixed.

Medium

Can I keep driving? Yes — the car drives normally. The secondary air system only runs briefly at cold start, so the main effects are a warning light and a failed emissions test.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

scans in the past year

Found in

<0.1%

of scans

<0.1%

of scans that found faults

Figures reflect only diagnostic scans recorded through our own apps and tools. Cars are typically scanned because a symptom or warning light prompted it, so these counts describe our scan records — not the incidence of faults in any model, and not the quality, reliability, or safety of any vehicle. No comparison between manufacturers or models is implied. All trademarks belong to their respective owners; no affiliation or endorsement is implied.

Common symptoms

What you'll notice

Check-engine light on
Will fail an emissions/smog test
Usually no change in how the car drives
Possible brief rough running right after a cold start

Common causes

Most likely first

Shorted secondary air switching valve A solenoidLikely
Wiring shorted to ground or to voltage in the valve circuitCommon
Corroded or damaged connector at the switching valveCommon
Failed engine control module (rare)Less often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Read freeze-frame data and locate the secondary air switching valve A.
Inspect the valve's connector and wiring for a short, chafing, or corrosion.
Measure the switching valve solenoid resistance against spec to confirm an internal short.
Repair the shorted circuit or replace the switching valve as needed.
Clear the code and complete a cold-start drive cycle to confirm it stays off.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0414?+

Yes. Secondary air injection only assists emissions during warm-up, so the car drives normally — but it will fail an emissions test until repaired.

Can I just clear P0414?+

It returns the next time the system is tested unless the shorted valve or wiring is repaired.

Read & clear P0414 yourself

Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.

▶ Get it on Google Play

✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX