P2444

Secondary Air Injection System Pump Stuck On Bank 1

P2444 is a generic OBD-II powertrain diagnostic trouble code: Secondary Air Injection System Pump Stuck On Bank 1. It is logged by the engine control unit when the powertrain monitor detects that a specific fault threshold has been exceeded — typically resulting in the malfunction-indicator lamp (MIL / check-engine light) being illuminated.

Code
P2444
Group
Powertrain
System
powertrain
Severity
moderate
Need P2444 disabled?
RaceTune permanently disables any OBD-II trouble code on supported ECUs — for motorsport, off-road, and export use.
→

What P2444 means

Code P2444 is stored when the PCM/ECM detects that the secondary air injection (SAI) pump on Bank 1 continues to run after it has been commanded to shut off, or when the pressure/flow sensor confirms pump output at a time when the PCM has not requested pump operation. The SAI pump is normally active only for a brief period (typically 30–90 seconds) during cold engine starts to inject fresh air into the exhaust and help the catalytic converter reach light-off temperature faster. A pump that cannot be turned off represents both an electrical and an emissions control fault.

The most common cause is a failed air pump relay that has welded its contacts closed, keeping power permanently applied to the pump motor regardless of PCM commands. A faulty PCM output driver or a short to voltage in the pump control circuit can produce the same symptom. Internal pump failures — such as a seized motor drawing excessive current — may prevent the relay from de-energising. A defective one-way check valve can also induce false positive pressure readings that make the PCM believe the pump is running when it is not commanded.

A pump that runs continuously wastes electrical energy, drains the battery over time, and can prematurely burn out the pump motor itself. Depending on the vehicle, the SAI pump draws several amps continuously, which measurably burdens the charging system.

Common causes

Most-frequently reported root causes when P2444 is logged.

  • 1
    Welded or stuck-closed SAI pump relay contacts
  • 2
    Short to voltage in the pump motor control circuit wiring
  • 3
    Failed PCM output driver unable to de-energise the pump
  • 4
    Faulty one-way check valve causing false pressure reading when pump is off
  • 5
    Seized or mechanically failed SAI pump motor drawing excessive current
  • 6
    Corroded or damaged wiring causing unintended pump activation
  • 7
    Defective SAI pressure/flow sensor reporting activity when pump is off
  • 8
    ECM/PCM software fault misinterpreting pump state

Symptoms drivers notice

Illuminated Check Engine Light (MIL)
Audible SAI pump running after engine has fully warmed up
Gradual battery drain if pump runs continuously when vehicle is parked
Erratic oxygen sensor readings due to continuous air injection
Increased electrical load visible as slight voltage drop
Failed emissions inspection

How to diagnose P2444

A typical diagnostic flow when this code is present.

  1. 1
    Connect an OBD-II scanner and record all DTCs; note related SAI codes such as P0410, P2431, P2432, P2440
  2. 2
    With engine warm, listen for continued SAI pump operation; if audible, confirm by locating and testing the SAI pump relay
  3. 3
    Remove the SAI pump relay and check if the pump stops running; if it does, the relay contacts were welded — replace the relay
  4. 4
    If the pump stops without the relay but the relay tests electrically good, check for a short to voltage in the pump control wiring between the relay and PCM
  5. 5
    Test the pump motor current draw with a clamp ammeter against manufacturer specification; excessive current draw indicates a failing pump
  6. 6
    Inspect the one-way check valve and pressure sensor to rule out false-positive reporting
  7. 7
    Clear codes after repair, perform a cold-start drive cycle, and confirm the pump shuts off as expected after the warm-up period
  8. 8
    If wiring and relay are good and fault persists, evaluate PCM output driver integrity

Related powertrain codes

Frequently asked questions

Is P2444 dangerous to drive with?

The vehicle is generally driveable, but a continuously running pump drains the battery and will eventually burn out the pump motor.

Why does the relay fail so often on SAI systems?

SAI pumps draw relatively high current at startup, which causes arcing inside the relay over time.

Can P2444 be confused with P2443 or P2445?

Yes. P2443 relates to the Bank 2 pump control circuit, while P2445 is the Bank 2 pump stuck-on code.

Will replacing only the relay fix P2444 permanently?

Often yes, but only if the relay is truly the cause. If a wiring short or PCM fault caused the relay failure, the new relay may weld again quickly.

Disabling P2444 in software

RaceTune can permanently disable P2444 — and any other OBD-II diagnostic trouble code — on every ECU family we support. The monitor is disabled inside the ECU itself, so the fault stops being logged: the warning light stays off and the engine never enters limp mode for this code. The change is tied to your exact software version.

Permanent
The monitor is disabled in the ECU itself — not just cleared. It cannot return.
Tailored to your file
Each patch is matched to your specific software version — never a one-size-fits-all file.
Reversible
The original file is always preserved. Reflash the stock to return the ECU to factory state.

Software modifications affect emissions compliance and are not road-legal in many jurisdictions. RaceTune service files are intended for motorsport, off-road, and export use.

Got P2444 in your scan?

Upload your ECU file — we'll identify the exact software version and confirm whether a disable is available for your car.

Upload your file