P022A: Charge Air Cooler Bypass Control A Circuit/Open

The charge air cooler bypass is a flap or valve that routes compressed air around the charge air cooler, so the engine and exhaust warm up faster after a cold start; when warm it closes or opens partly to control intake air temperature. It is driven by an electric motor with a built-in position sensor or by a solenoid and vacuum can. P022A is the general circuit fault of the actuator drive, mainly an open circuit: the driver sees no current or an output voltage outside its window. The module then switches bypass control off and the flap stays in its rest position. No manufacturer document using this code was found – GM and Ford do not use the bypass codes; the description rests on CARB's component monitoring requirement and a Bosch patent on the bypass valve.

Symptoms

• Check engine light on
• Depending on the rest position: longer warm-up or higher charge air temperature with slight loss of power
• Often nothing noticeable while driving

Most likely causes

• Wire or connector at the bypass actuator open
• Actuator or solenoid of the bypass flap faulty (coil, motor)
• Fuse or relay of the actuator supply
• Driver stage in the engine module faulty

What to check, in order

Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.

1. Check the hoses, clamps, and intercooler
2. Check the continuity of the wire between the component and the control module.
3. Compare commanded and actual pressure in live data
4. Check the actuator's movement
5. Check the vacuum hoses and the solenoid valve
6. Check the oil and the turbo shaft play before replacing it

Good to know

• Repair difficulty: medium
• It affects emissions.

What each character of P022A means

• P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
• 0: Generic code: same on every make
• 2: Fuel injection
• 2A: Specific fault in that system

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep driving with code P022A?

Drive without demanding power and go to a repair shop soon. If you see a lot of blue smoke or hear a metallic noise, shut off the engine.

What causes code P022A?

The most common causes are: wire or connector at the bypass actuator open; actuator or solenoid of the bypass flap faulty (coil, motor); fuse or relay of the actuator supply.

Related codes

• P022BCharge Air Cooler Bypass Control A Circuit Low
• P022CCharge Air Cooler Bypass Control A Circuit High
• P024ACharge Air Cooler Bypass Control A Range/Performance
• P024BCharge Air Cooler Bypass Control A Stuck

Sources

• law.cornell.edu: 13 CCR 1968.2
• patents.google.com: US8417484

Values and procedures vary by manufacturer. If it affects brakes, steering, fuel or high voltage, see a professional. Updated: 2026-11-04. How we build these pages.