What Does P023A Mean?
The charge air cooler coolant pump control circuit is open. This electric pump circulates coolant through a water-to-air intercooler system to remove heat from the compressed intake charge. Without pump operation, the intercooler cannot cool the charge air effectively, leading to elevated intake temperatures. The driver may notice reduced performance, increased knock tendency, or the ECM entering a protective mode under boost.
Common Causes
30%
Open circuit in the wiring from the ECM to the charge air cooler coolant pump
25%
Failed charge air cooler coolant pump motor (open coil)
20%
Disconnected or corroded pump connector
15%
Blown fuse or relay in the coolant pump power circuit
10%
ECM pump driver circuit failure
Diagnostic Steps
1
Locate the charge air cooler coolant pump (typically near the intercooler or front of the engine) and verify the connector is fully engaged and not damaged by heat or road debris.
2
Check the pump fuse and relay — pull the fuse and inspect it, then swap the relay with a known-good identical relay. Verify relay socket terminals are clean.
3
Measure 12V supply at the pump connector with key on — if absent, trace the power feed back through the relay and fuse to find the open circuit.
4
Verify the pump motor by applying 12V directly to the pump terminals (with proper polarity). If the pump runs, the motor is good and the fault is in the control circuit.
5
Check continuity of the control/ground wire from the ECM to the pump — should be under 2 Ω. An open reading indicates a wiring break.
6
If using a PWM-controlled pump, verify the ECM is outputting a control signal by probing the ECM connector pin while commanding the pump on via scan tool.
Estimated Repair Cost
$200 - $700
Parts + labor, varies by vehicle and location
The charge air cooler coolant pump control circuit is open. This electric pump circulates coolant through a water-to-air intercooler system to remove heat from the compressed intake charge. Without pump operation, the intercooler cannot cool the charge air effectively, leading to elevated intake tem...
The most common cause of P023A (Charge Air Cooler Coolant Pump Control Circuit Open) is: Open circuit in the wiring from the ECM to the charge air cooler coolant pump
Typical repair costs for P023A range from $200 to $700, depending on the vehicle, location, and whether you do it yourself or go to a shop.
Avoid sustained high-boost driving. Without the intercooler coolant pump running, charge air temperatures will rise significantly under boost, increasing the risk of detonation and potential engine damage. Light driving at low boost levels is generally acceptable. Do not tow, race, or drive aggressively until repaired. The ECM may reduce boost as a safeguard.
Start by connecting an OBD2 scanner to read the code and any freeze frame data. Then follow the diagnostic steps specific to P023A to identify the root cause.
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Quick Info
Category
Powertrain
System
Turbocharger / Supercharger System
Difficulty
Type
Generic (SAE)
Recommended Tools
OBD2 Scanner
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