P213C: EGR Throttle Control Circuit B Low

P213C points to a low signal in the drive circuit of EGR throttle B: the output stage sees too little voltage where it expects supply potential, which almost always means a conductor of the flap motor is touching ground. Chafed harness sections near the exhaust, water in the connector or a motor winding shorted to its housing are typical. Depending on the bridge design the module either switches the output off or the motor stays partly energised. No manufacturer documents this code publicly, so no threshold or debounce time can be given; CARB demands separate detection of circuit faults on output components. For throttle A the matching short-circuit code is P2141. An open circuit on B is P213A, a function fault P213B. The flap usually falls back to its rest position and EGR is limited.

Medium severity. Can I keep driving?You can normally drive in moderation, but get it repaired soon: if the valve is stuck open, the engine may idle very poorly.

Symptoms

Check engine lamp on
Reduced power or limp mode
Engine shudder when switched off

Most likely causes

Chafed wire shorting to ground between module and flap
Water or corrosion in the flap connector
Actuator motor winding shorted to housing
Faulty output stage in the engine control module

What to check, in order

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

Check the connector and any vacuum hoses
With the connector unplugged, check whether the signal wire is making contact with ground.
Use live data to compare the commanded opening with the actual opening
Clean the valve and passages if they are clogged with carbon
Test the actuator with the scanner
Replace the valve if it still does not follow the command after cleaning

Good to know

Repair difficulty: medium
It can trigger limp mode.
It affects emissions.

What each character of P213C means

P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
2: Generic code: same on every make
1: Air and fuel
3C: Specific fault in that system

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep driving with code P213C?

You can normally drive in moderation, but get it repaired soon: if the valve is stuck open, the engine may idle very poorly.

What causes code P213C?

The most common causes are: chafed wire shorting to ground between module and flap; water or corrosion in the flap connector; actuator motor winding shorted to housing.

Related codes

Sources

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.