P0410Generic code

P0410 Code: Secondary Air Injection System Malfunction

The P0410 code means the secondary air injection system is not working correctly. It does not affect how the car drives, but it will keep you from passing an emissions inspection. Moisture in the pump or the valves is the usual cause.

Severity
Low
Can I keep driving?
Yes, no immediate risk
Estimated cost
$100 to $1,200
Difficulty
Medium
System
Emissions Control
Applies to
All OBD2 vehicles

Updated Reviewed by Renzo Chacca

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What the P0410 code means

The secondary air system pushes air into the exhaust manifold during the first minutes after a cold start. That oxygen burns the hydrocarbons coming out of the engine, which runs rich when cold, and it heats the catalytic converter quickly. The computer checks the system by watching how the O2 sensors react while the pump runs.

The P0410 code is a generic code. The computer either does not see the expected effect of the air (the O2 sensors do not read lean when the pump is switched on) or it detects a fault in the system itself. Pumps and valves suffer a lot from the moisture that travels back up from the exhaust.

It is common in winter and on vehicles that make very short trips, where the condensed water never gets a chance to evaporate.

The diagnosis is done cold, because the system only runs for the first seconds or minutes after a cold start. To test it, let the vehicle sit for several hours, start it and listen: you should hear the pump. With a scan tool you can switch the pump and the valves on when the engine is hot and see whether the upstream O2 sensor drops toward lean (below 0.2 V) within a few seconds. If the pump runs but the sensor does not react, the air is not arriving: look at the valve, the hoses or the passages.

P0410 code symptoms

  • Normally no driving symptoms at all.
  • Pump noise after a cold start, or no noise at all where you should hear it.
  • Check engine light on.

Likely causes of the P0410 code

  1. Failed air pump, or one full of water. Water entering through the exhaust passage rusts it from the inside.
  2. Stuck check valve. Moisture from the exhaust rusts it and it stops opening or closing.
  3. Broken hoses. The air escapes before it reaches the manifold.
  4. Pump relay or fuse. The pump draws a lot of current and the relay wears out.
  5. Manifold passages clogged with carbon.

How to diagnose the P0410 code step by step

  1. Start the engine cold and listen for the pump.
  2. Check the relay and the fuse.
  3. Inspect the hoses and the valves.
  4. Watch the upstream O2 sensor when the pump is activated. It should drop toward lean.
  5. Activate the pump with the scan tool on a hot engine and confirm that the upstream O2 sensor falls below 0.2 V.

How to fix the P0410 code

  • Replace the damaged pump or valve.
  • Repair the hoses.
  • Clean the passages.
  • Clear the P0410 code and complete a cold start so the system can run its test again.

Technical reference data

  • It only runs from 30 seconds to 2 minutes after a cold start.
  • The values given are for orientation only. Check the manufacturer data for your engine.

Brand-specific notes

This code is very common on several makes. The notes below follow what is reported for each one.

P0410 on Toyota

Very common on the Toyota Tundra and the Toyota Sequoia.

P0410 on Lexus

Very common on Lexus vehicles.

P0410 on Volkswagen

Very common on Volkswagen vehicles.

P0410 on BMW

Very common on BMW vehicles.

P0410 on GM

Very common on GM vehicles.

Frequently asked questions about P0410

What does the P0410 code mean?
It means the secondary air injection system is not working correctly. The computer either does not see the expected effect of the air on the O2 sensors or it detects a fault in the system.
Can I drive with a P0410 code?
Yes. It does not affect how the vehicle drives, although the check engine light stays on until the repair is done.
Why does the pump fail?
Because of moisture. Water condensed in the exhaust travels back up the passage and rusts the pump and the valves from the inside.
Will I pass the emissions inspection with a P0410 code?
No, not while the check engine light is on. You need to fix the fault and let the system complete its test first.
How much does it cost to fix P0410?
Between $100 and $1,200. A relay, a fuse or a hose is at the low end, and a new pump or valve assembly is at the high end.
Will a P0410 code clear itself?
Only if the cause was temporary, such as moisture that dried out. If a part has rusted or failed, the P0410 code will return on the next cold start.

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