A turbocharger is always a source of extra power for your vehicle. However, there are certain conditions when these components cease to perform, and you may experience that the vehicle is limping while driving.
The following are the key takeaways from this article:
P0299 is an intermediate DTC indicating the low output of the turbocharger.
This DTC occurs mainly due to a drop in the engine oil pressure, a fault in the turbocharger, EGR system, or the boost pressure sensor.
The symptoms of P0299 include MIL illumination, less engine power, weird engine noises, and the vehicle going into limp mode.
The common solutions to this issue include resetting the DTC, refilling the engine oil, and replacing faulty sensors/components.
The cost to resolve this issue can vary between $25 in the case of engine oil replacement to $2000 in the case of turbocharger replacement.
Introduction
P0299 is a serious engine fault code indicating that the turbocharger/supercharger is giving an extremely low output.
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Although both turbochargers and superchargers have different modes of operation, both components work to increase the engine output. A turbocharger is mostly present in cars having an engine with less capacity. In contrast, a supercharger is present in vehicles with larger engine capacity. P0299 fault code occurs when the ECU detects a lower boost than the normal consideration. The check engine light will turn on, and you will observe different symptoms in your vehicle (1). This article will shed light on possible causes of P0299, the common symptoms, and solutions to resolve this issue.
How to Read P0299 DTC?
The following table has read every character of P0299 DTC (2):
Number of Character
Specific Character
What does it Signify
First
P
The problem lies within the powertrain part of the vehicle. This means that the engine, transmission, or fuel system can malfunction.
Second
0
This means that the code is standardized, so the SAE manual can be used further to interpret the code instead of the instruction manual.
Third
2
This number illustrates the problem within the vehicle’s metering injection system.
Fourth and Fifth
99
The specific fault index is 99, indicating that the turbocharger provides much less output.
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P0299 means that the problem lies within the powertrain, and the code is SAE standardized. Further, the metering injection system is faulty, and the problem lies in the turbocharger as it provides less output.
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Role of Turbocharger in a Vehicle
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A turbocharger comprises two sections that are the turbine and the compressor.
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The turbine section further comprises the turbine wheel and turbine housing, where the turning housing guides the exhaust gases to the turbine wheel. The exhaust gases further rotate the turbine wheel, and the gases can exit from the exhaust outlet (5). The compressor also comprises two parts: the wheel and the housing. The spinning of the turbine wheel rotates the compressor wheel resulting in high-velocity air entering the compressor housing (4). The housing then converts the air into a high-pressure, low-velocity stream that is pushed into the engine. This air allows the engine to combust the fuel and produce more power.
Reasons for Turbocharger Failure
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Turbochargers fail due to oil contamination, starvation, or damage from a foreign object. Oil starvation refers to less engine oil and blockage/leakage in the pipes causing the blockage in the flow of oil.
Similarly, carbon particles from the combustion process can gather, and their concentration becomes too high, causing abrasion, corrosion, and running along the surface of turbocharger bearings and shafts. This increases clearance and closes the oil feed holes that prevent it from controlling the shaft (5). As a result, you can observe a sharp increase in the noise level of the turbo, indicating a malfunctioning shaft or oil starvation. Similarly, increased exhaust smoke is another sign that the turbine end seal is causing oil leakage, and oil is burnt without a particulate filter (4). Again, these signs can be noticed, and the turbocharger can therefore be repaired before failure.
Symptoms of P0299
Following are the symptoms of the P0299 engine fault code:
MIL Illumination
The first symptom of any DTC is MIL (Malfunction Indication Lamp) illumination, and the same is the case with P0299. When this engine fault code occurs, the check engine light illuminates the vehicle’s dashboard.
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Although several reasons might illuminate the check engine light, you are recommended to connect a hand-code reader with the OBDII module to check the DTC (1). In short, the check engine light indicates that the turbocharger is malfunctioning, and the DTC is P0299.
Less Engine Power
As discussed above that the turbochargers work to compress the exhaust gases into high-pressure, low, velocity air, aiding in fuel burning.
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So, a malfunctioning turbocharger will mean the engine provides less power.
The ECU detects the boost provided by the turbocharger and compares it with the standards (1). If the boost is low, then there is a chance that the turbocharger is not working efficiently, and P0299 DTC occurs.
Engine Noise
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Another early-stage sign of P0299 is the strange engine noise. As discussed in the reasons for turbocharger failure, this failure can occur due to oil contamination, where carbon particles wear the shaft and its rotation.
As a result of the wear in a shaft, it can produce weird noises while operating. This is a sign that the shaft either malfunctions or there is less oil to support its operation. You can check the engine oil level in its reservoir and further analyze this noise (2).
Vehicle in Limp Mode
Another sign of P0299 is the vehicle in limp mode. Limp mode is a safety feature that is available in limited vehicle models. This safety feature acts up when it detects any engine component failure and limits the RPM to make it safe to drive.
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In many vehicles, the limp mode turns off the turbo mode and limits the maximum RPM of your vehicle to 3000. This ensures that the malfunctioning turbo components do not cause serious engine damage. Similarly, a vehicle can also be stuck in gear in limp mode, making it difficult to drive further, and you have to tow the car to the mechanic to resolve the issue (2).
Causes of P0299
Following are a few causes of P0299 DTC:
Drop in the Engine Oil Pressure
Engine oil pressure is essential to ensure that all parts are well-lubricated and optimally functioning. When the oil flows through the engine, the pressure builds up, ensuring the engine oil reaches everywhere. However, the drop in the engine oil pressure means that the oil is not reaching every engine component, so there can be lubrication issues within the engine.
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This drop in the engine oil pressure would also mean that the engine oil is not reaching certain turbocharger components such as the rotation shaft, the fans, etc. Thus, there is an increased chance of shaft wear and tear that can eventually result in turbocharger failure.
In this case, you must ensure that the engine oil pressure light does not illuminate the vehicle’s dashboard. If the light is illuminating, you are recommended to take the car to a professional mechanic to get the issue resolved (1).
Fault in Turbocharger
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Another cause of P0299 is a fault in the turbocharger that can restrict its performance. Resultantly the turbocharger would not be able to provide enough boost.
The major source of the fault in the turbocharger is oil starvation and contamination. The carbon particles produced in combustion can make their way to the turbo and get stuck between the shaft and pipes, causing trouble in the flow of oil (5). This can impact the turbocharger performance, and P0299 DTC can occur.
Fault in EGR System
Another cause of P0299 is the faulty EGR system. EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) is responsible for reducing automotive Nitrogen Oxide (NOx).
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EGR further collects the gases at the cylinder outlet and redirects these gases to the engine for driving the turbo turbine and compressor fan. However, a malfunctioning EGR will be unable to collect the exhaust gases or redirect them toward the engine resulting in a decreased boost from the turbo (3). This can also cause P0299 DTC, which can be resolved by replacing the faulty EGR.
Malfunctioning Turbo Boost Pressure Sensor
Boost pressure sensor provides important information to the ECU regarding air information and air-fuel ratio. But a malfunctioning turbo boost pressure sensor will send wrong information to the ECU resulting in P0299 DTC.
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This sensor is located inside the inlet manifold with the temperature sensor. In some vehicles, this sensor can also be located between the engine and turbocharger. A dirty or malfunctioning sensor will send wrong information to the ECU that can impact the engine performance, and P0299 DTC will occur.
Solution of P0299 DTC
Following are a few common solutions of P0299 DTC:
Reset the DTC and Test Drive the Vehicle
As with other DTCs, P0299 can also occur due to ECU mistakes. To resolve this issue, you are recommended to reset the DTC by connecting a hand-code reader with the OBDII module (4). The hand-code reader will provide information about the DTC and an option to disable the DTC. Once the DTC is disabled, you can take your car for a test drive to ensure that the warning light does not appear again. If the warning light appears again, you should take the car to a professional mechanic to resolve the issue.
Check the Engine Oil and its Pressure
Another common issue causing this DTC is a drop in the engine oil level. Although a driver should replace the engine oil at the regular service interval, the oil level sometimes decreases due to internal leakage (5). In this case, the engine components are not lubricated, resulting in a malfunctioning turbocharger. So, check the engine oil reservoir and fill in more oil if the oil level decreases (3). Furthermore, also keep an eye on the engine oil pressure. If the pressure is decreased or the oil pressure warning light is illuminating, resolve the issue before severe internal engine component damage.
Replace the Faulty Turbo Boost Pressure Sensor
Another solution to this problem is to replace the faulty turbo boost pressure sensor. This sensor is located inside the intake manifold, and you can easily access the sensor. First, try cleaning the sensor with a soapy water solution and test-drive the vehicle. If the warning light disappears, the sensor starts working fine (4). But if the warning light appears again, it is recommended to replace the sensor for effective engine and turbo performance.
If the EGR system and turbochargers malfunction, it is better to contact a professional mechanic to resolve the issue. These parts are complex and cannot be comprehended by a simple driver.
Cost of Resolving the Issue
The following table illustrates the cost of resolving these issues along with the severity of these issues:
Common Issues
Critical Level
Cost Required to Resolve the Issue
Faulty Turbo Charger
Severe: Engine performance will be compromised, and you will experience low RPMs
$200-400 to repair the faulty turbocharger, $1000-2000 to replace the faulty turbocharger
Faulty EGR System
High: The car will experience a low power output
$400-600 to replace the faulty EGR system
Faulty Turbo Boost Pressure Sensor
Low: You can drive for intermediate distances with this issue
$20-50 to replace the sensor
Engine Oil Replacement
High: Driving along with low engine oil can damage the internal engine components
$25-40 to replace the engine oil
Conclusion
To conclude, it can be said that P0171 is an intermediate DTC that indicates a lean mixture in engine bank 1. Therefore, it can cause the engine to misfire, resulting in low power and damage to the catalytic convertor in a longer run. The main causes of this DTC include faulty fuel pressure regulator, faulty fuel injectors, faulty oxygen sensors, vacuum leakage and faulty MAF sensors. So, if you are experiencing a low engine power, compromised fuel average and a check engine light, there is a chance that the DTC is P0171.
The basic step to deactivate a limp mode is to stop the vehicle for around 10 minutes. This will rest the engine, and the in-build car computer will disable every mechanism. Try driving the vehicle after resting the engine. Suppose the vehicle RPM is at most 3000. In that case, it is a sign of a serious issue, and you should take your car to a professional mechanic to resolve the issue.
A turbocharger does not fail all of a sudden. Instead, it depicts certain signs that indicate turbocharger failure. One such sign is the weird sounds from the engine while driving. Weird sounds while driving indicate that the turbo components’ lubrication is not effective and the components are wearing. To resolve this issue, it is recommended to analyze the engine sound and take the car to a professional in case of a slight change in the sound.
It will only sometimes resolve the issue. However, in some cases, the warning light illuminates when there is a problem with the ECU or ECU sends a wrong signal for the warning light. In these cases, resetting the DTC will resolve the issue. First, however, do a vehicle test drive to ensure the warning light does not appear again.
