P0244
PowertrainTurbocharger/Supercharger Wastegate Solenoid "A" Range/Performance
The wastegate solenoid is the little electrically controlled valve that tells the turbo's wastegate when to open and bleed off boost. The ECU expects it to respond within a set range, and when it's slow, sticky or electrically dodgy, boost control goes haywire and P0244 lands. The result is usually a turbo that either overboosts then drops into limp mode, or one that never builds the boost it should.
ⓘ Information only. This page provides general educational information about fault code P0244. We do not assess the urgency or safety implications of any specific fault. That requires in-person diagnosis by a qualified mechanic. Full terms.
Recommended next steps
Whether a fault is urgent, drivable, or routine depends entirely on the cause on a specific vehicle, and that can only be determined by a qualified mechanic with diagnostic equipment. If a warning light is illuminated, the most reliable next step is professional diagnosis.
What does P0244 mean?
P0244 is a Powertrain (engine, transmission, fuel system) fault code. It indicates: Turbocharger/Supercharger Wastegate Solenoid "A" Range/Performance.
This is a standardised OBD-II code. The technical definition is the same regardless of the make or model of vehicle, although specific causes and symptoms can vary between vehicles.
Symptoms commonly associated with this code
Symptoms that drivers often report alongside this code. Not all may apply to every case:
- • Engine warning light, sometimes with the car dropping into limp mode under hard acceleration
- • Flat, gutless power especially when you put your foot down to overtake on the motorway
- • Boost that surges then cuts, or feels like it's hunting up and down
- • Whistling or hissing from the engine bay if a vacuum line or boost pipe has split
- • Worse fuel economy than usual as the engine compensates
- • Occasional rough idle or a stall when coming to a stop
Possible causes
Causes commonly associated with P0244, listed in approximate order of typical investigation. The actual cause on a specific vehicle can only be confirmed by professional diagnosis.
- 1. Wastegate solenoid itself worn out or sticking, the usual suspect on higher-mileage turbo cars. The valve gums up internally and stops responding quickly enough
- 2. Split or perished vacuum lines feeding the solenoid or actuator, very common on cars over 100,000 miles where the rubber has gone hard
- 3. Corroded or loose connector at the solenoid, water and road salt get into the plug and the signal goes intermittent
- 4. Seized wastegate actuator, the arm carbons up and won't move freely, so the solenoid can't regulate it
- 5. Carbon build-up restricting the wastegate flap, common on diesels that do a lot of short trips
- 6. Boost or MAP sensor feeding the ECU wrong numbers so it thinks the wastegate is out of range
- 7. ECU software fault or internal control fault, rare but it does happen
How mechanics typically diagnose
A typical diagnostic sequence used by mechanics, provided here for educational reference only. Diagnostic work should be performed by a qualified mechanic with the appropriate tools and training.
- 1. Read the freeze-frame data when you pull the code, it tells you the boost pressure and load at the moment the fault set, which points you straight at over or underboost
- 2. Get under the bonnet and check every vacuum line and boost pipe to the solenoid and actuator. A split hose or a popped-off pipe is the cheapest fix and the most common one
- 3. Unplug the solenoid connector and check for corrosion, then test the supply and earth with a multimeter. Wiggle the loom while watching live data if you suspect an intermittent
- 4. Command the solenoid open and shut with a scan tool and listen for it clicking, you should hear and feel it operate cleanly
- 5. Trace the vacuum from the pump through the solenoid to the actuator, checking the actuator arm actually moves when boost or vacuum is applied. A seized arm is a classic on older diesels
- 6. Clear the code and road-test under load on a quiet stretch, watching boost build, to confirm the fault is gone or which way it's failing
Common questions about P0244
What's the worst that happens if I just keep driving on it? +
Depends which way the wastegate is stuck. If it's failing in a way that lets the turbo overboost, you're risking real damage, blown intercooler pipes, a cracked manifold, worst case a knackered turbo. That's why most cars throw themselves into limp mode to protect the engine. If it's underboosting you'll mostly suffer poor performance rather than damage, but you won't know which until it's checked. Don't gamble a £1,000-plus turbo on a £40 vacuum hose.
How quickly do I need to sort this out? +
Soon, but it's not a roadside emergency. The car will limp you home and gentle low-load driving won't hurt anything in the short term. The problem is you can't tell from the driver's seat whether it's a harmless split pipe or an overboost situation that's stressing the engine every time you accelerate. Book it in within a few days rather than leaving it for weeks, and go easy on the throttle until it's looked at.
Is it the solenoid that's gone, or just the wiring and pipes? +
More often than not on a UK car it's the cheap stuff, a perished vacuum line or a corroded connector, not the solenoid itself. Solenoids do fail, particularly on well-used VAG TDI and PالساD diesels, but always rule out the hoses and the plug first because they're far more common and far cheaper. A solenoid is low to mid three figures fitted, a length of vacuum hose is a couple of quid.
Information only, not professional advice
The information on this page is provided for general guidance and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for diagnosis or repair advice from a qualified mechanic. Always verify any fault before paying for repairs. carfaultcodes.co.uk accepts no liability for decisions made based on this information. Full terms →