P3487 code meaning
Cylinder 11 Exhaust Valve Control Circuit Low
Powertrain system Generic code P34xx codes Check engine light
What P3487 means
P3487 would tell of a grounded control wire feeding a dedicated exhaust valve actuator on cylinder 11. No manufacturer documents this code publicly; cylinders 9 to 12 only exist on engines with nine or more, and J2012 keeps these codes for them. The closest real design is Mercedes' Active Cylinder Control on the CL 600 and S 600 V12 around 2000: it shut down one bank, and according to Wikipedia two solenoids uncoupled that bank's exhaust valves to keep pressure in the idle cylinders. That is one circuit per bank, not per cylinder. GM's V8 analogue flags a ground short below 0.5 ohm with the driver off. Grounded wiring could engage the actuator by itself and silence cylinder 11 when it is meant to fire. Siblings: P3485 (open), P3488 (high).
P3487 at a glance
- Check engine lightYes, usually on
- Emissions testCan fail
- Limp modeNot expected
- Repair difficultyMedium, DIY possible
- Typical labor0.5 to 4 hours
- Clears after repairWhen cleared with a scanner
Symptoms of P3487
- Check engine lamp on
- Bank shut-off no longer offered
- Possible misfire on cylinder 11 (P0311)
Common causes of P3487
- Most likelyActuator wire chafed through to engine ground
- PossibleActuator coil shorted to its housing
- Less likelyMoisture in the actuator connector bridging to ground
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Cylinder deactivation solenoidWiring harnessECM
What each part of P3487 means
| P | Powertrain system: engine, fuel system, ignition, emissions and transmission. |
| 3 | Mixed range: generic and manufacturer-specific codes. |
| 4 | Area: auxiliary emission controls (catalytic converter, EGR, EVAP). |
| 87 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note P3487 and any other codes stored with it: several codes together often point to one cause.
- Check for loose connectors and damaged wiring around the parts the code names.
- Check open recalls for your car: some faults are fixed for free by the dealer. Enter your VIN.
- Clear the code only after the repair. If it comes back, the fault is still there.
Buying a used car? Scan it for stored codes before you pay. A recently cleared memory can hide a problem.
Questions about P3487
What does P3487 mean?
P3487 means "Cylinder 11 Exhaust Valve Control Circuit Low". P3487 would tell of a grounded control wire feeding a dedicated exhaust valve actuator on cylinder 11. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with P3487?
Usually yes, for a short time, if the check engine light is steady and the car drives normally. If the light flashes or the car runs badly, stop and have it checked.
Will P3487 fail an emissions test?
Yes, it can. P3487 is emissions-related, so most inspection programs fail a car while it is stored or while the check engine light is on.
How hard is P3487 to fix?
Difficulty: medium. A typical repair takes 0.5 to 4 hours of work. A careful DIY repair is possible with basic tools and a scanner.
Will P3487 clear itself after the repair?
Clear the code with a scanner after the repair. If the fault is fixed, it does not come back.