P2143

EGR Vent Control Circuit/Open

Q: Is it safe to drive with P2143?

Yes, in the short term. It's an emissions fault, but persistent knock under load can stress the engine, so don't leave it indefinitely.

Q: Can I just clear P2143?

It returns until the vent control circuit or solenoid is repaired.

EGR / emissions Generic OBD-II Low

What it means

P2143 means the ECM detected an open in the control circuit for the EGR vent solenoid, which manages vacuum to the EGR valve. It's an emissions fault that rarely affects daily driving, though it can cause pinging under load and will keep the car from passing an emissions test. The usual causes are the solenoid itself or its wiring.

Low

Can I keep driving? Safe to drive — it's an emissions fault; you may notice mild pinging under load, and it will block an emissions pass.

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
Often no noticeable driving symptoms
Possible pinging or knock under load or at higher speeds
Fails an emissions/readiness test

Common causes

Most likely first

Faulty EGR vent control solenoidLikely
Open or shorted wiring in the vent control circuitCommon
Poor connection or corrosion at the solenoid connectorCommon
Carbon buildup restricting the EGR valve or passagesLess often
Rarely, a faulty ECM/PCM driverLess often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Read freeze-frame data and scan for other EGR codes to narrow it down.
Inspect the EGR vent solenoid connector and wiring for opens, shorts, and corrosion.
Check the solenoid's resistance against spec and confirm it gets power and a control signal.
Clean the EGR valve, tube, and passages before condemning parts.
If the circuit checks out but the solenoid is out of spec, replace it and retest.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P2143?+

Yes, in the short term. It's an emissions fault, but persistent knock under load can stress the engine, so don't leave it indefinitely.

Can I just clear P2143?+

It returns until the vent control circuit or solenoid is repaired.

Read & clear P2143 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