P0243: Turbocharger/Supercharger Wastegate Actuator A

What does P0243 mean?

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.

The code tells you which monitor failed, not which part is broken. Test before replacing parts.

Symptoms

• Check engine light on
• Clearly less power, boost only at base level
• Sluggish acceleration, turbo lag
• Reduced engine power message possible

Common causes

• High Connector at the wastegate valve or actuator loose, corroded or with spread contacts
• Medium Valve coil or electric actuator winding open
• Medium Supply voltage to the valve missing (ignition, relay, fuse)
• Medium Broken control wire between module and valve
• Low Driver stage in the engine module faulty

Likelihood is a general estimate across vehicles; your make and model may differ.