What are the common causes of P0079?

A short to ground in the Bank 1 exhaust valve control solenoid wire. Low battery voltage feeding the solenoid circuit. A failed exhaust valve control solenoid on Bank 1. Corrosion or damage at the Bank 1 solenoid connector. A fault in the ECM solenoid driver.

Check battery and charging voltage under load. Test the Bank 1 solenoid control wire for a short to ground. Measure exhaust valve control solenoid resistance. Inspect the Bank 1 connector for corrosion or damage. Replace the Bank 1 exhaust valve control solenoid if it is faulty. Clear the code and retest.

P0079

Exhaust Valve Control Solenoid Circuit Low Bank 1

System: Fuel and air metering (P code)
Lamp: Check Engine Light
Category: Powertrain - Fuel/Air Metering

What it means

P0079 means Exhaust Valve Control Solenoid Circuit Low Bank 1.

Where it lives

For P0079, the circuit described runs through the solenoid. The description of P0079 puts it on bank 1.

Check these first

A short to ground in the Bank 1 exhaust valve control solenoid wire
Low battery voltage feeding the solenoid circuit
A failed exhaust valve control solenoid on Bank 1
Corrosion or damage at the Bank 1 solenoid connector
A fault in the ECM solenoid driver

What to do next

Check battery and charging voltage under load
Test the Bank 1 solenoid control wire for a short to ground
Measure exhaust valve control solenoid resistance
Inspect the Bank 1 connector for corrosion or damage
Replace the Bank 1 exhaust valve control solenoid if it is faulty
Clear the code and retest

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Updated

Generic SAE J2012 definition. Last updated 2026-10-10.