The wastegate lets exhaust bypass the turbine to limit boost; actuator A is either a pulse-width-modulated solenoid on a pneumatic wastegate can or an electric actuator with a position sensor. P0243 is the general circuit fault of actuator A. GM uses it for an open circuit: with the driver off, more than 200 kΩ between output and ground in 10 of 20 samples sets it with the warning light in the first trip (older modules: two trips). Ford uses P0243 on its electric wastegates as the collective code for open and short circuits (0.4 s), together with P2ABD for driver overcurrent or overheating. Boost control is then switched off and only the spring-set base boost remains – less power, but no risk of overboost.
Medium severity. Can I keep driving?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.
Symptoms
- Check engine light on
- Clearly less power, boost only at base level
- Sluggish acceleration, turbo lag
- Reduced engine power message possible
Most likely causes
- Connector at the wastegate valve or actuator loose, corroded or with spread contacts
- Valve coil or electric actuator winding open
- Supply voltage to the valve missing (ignition, relay, fuse)
- Broken control wire between module and valve
- Driver stage in the engine module faulty
What to check, in order
Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.
Good to know
- Repair difficulty: medium
- It can trigger limp mode.
- It affects emissions.
What each character of P0243 means
- P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
- 0: Generic code: same on every make
- 2: Fuel injection
- 43: Specific fault in that system
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep driving with code P0243?
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 P0243?
The most common causes are: connector at the wastegate valve or actuator loose, corroded or with spread contacts; valve coil or electric actuator winding open; supply voltage to the valve missing (ignition, relay, fuse).
Related codes
- P0244Turbocharger/Supercharger Wastegate Actuator A Range/Performance
- P0245Turbocharger/Supercharger Wastegate Actuator A Low
- P0246Turbocharger/Supercharger Wastegate Actuator A High
- P0247Turbocharger/Supercharger Wastegate Actuator B
- P0299Turbocharger/Supercharger A Underboost Condition
- P2ABDTurbocharger/Supercharger Wastegate Actuator A Driver Current/Temperature Too High
Sources
- law.cornell.edu: 13 CCR 1968.2
- gsi.ext.gm.com: 18OBDG03A Engine Diagnostics
- gsi.ext.gm.com: 16OBDG05 Engine Diagnostics
- saabwisonline.com: dtc p0243 p0245 or p0246
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.