P245A

EGR Cooler Bypass Control Circuit/Open Bank 1

Auxiliary emissions (EGR) Generic OBD-II Low

What it means

P245A means the ECM has detected an open (or otherwise faulty) control circuit for the EGR cooler bypass valve on bank 1. That valve routes recirculated exhaust either through or around the EGR cooler to manage temperature and emissions. The car still runs normally, but the system can't control the bypass properly, so it's mainly an emissions and cold-start concern.

Low

Can I keep driving? Yes — the car drives normally; this is an emissions/temperature-control fault, not a running problem.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

920

scans in the past year

Found in

0.1%

of scans

0.3%

of scans that found faults

Appears alongside · share of P245A scans

P00BCin 43.5% of scans

P0704in 43.5% of scans

P244Bin 43.5% of scans

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 change in how the car drives
Possible small drop in cold-weather emissions performance or slightly higher NOx
May fail an emissions/readiness test

Common causes

Most likely first

Open or shorted wiring to the EGR cooler bypass valve/actuatorLikely
Failed EGR cooler bypass control valve or solenoidCommon
Corroded or loose connector at the bypass valveCommon
Poor ground or power feed to the control circuitLess often
Faulty ECM/PCM driver for the bypass control (least likely)Less often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Read freeze-frame data and confirm the code is current, not a stored history fault.
Locate the EGR cooler bypass valve and inspect its connector for corrosion, spread pins, or looseness.
With the key on, check the control circuit for the expected power, ground, and continuity back to the ECM; repair any open.
Test the bypass valve/solenoid resistance against spec and replace if out of range.
Clear the code and re-drive; if it returns with wiring verified good, suspect the valve, then the ECM driver.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P245A?+

Generally yes. It affects how exhaust heat is managed for emissions, not engine running, so short-term driving is fine — but get it fixed to stay emissions-legal.

Can I just clear P245A?+

You can clear it, but if the circuit is truly open the code returns quickly. Fix the wiring or valve first.

Read & clear P245A 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