P3442Cylinder 6 Deactivation/Intake Valve Control Performance
- Generic OBD-II code · Powertrain
- Turns on the check-engine light
- Matters for the ITP
- Needs a drive cycle to confirm a fix
- How the car detects it
- P3442 reports that cylinder 6 does not switch off or back on as commanded although its control circuit tests fine. FCA uses it as Cylinder 6 Deactivation Control Performance on the 6.4 l Heavy Duty Hemi with MDS in RAM 2500 to 5500 trucks: bulletins 18-082-16 and 18-036-20 list it with P3402, P3426 and P3450 under a lit MIL and fix it with new PCM software. Ford stores it on 2025 F-150 5.0 l trucks built January to April 2025: bulletin 25-2487, replaced by 26-2093, traces P3442 and P3450 to a restricted oil feed tube for the left-bank deactivation solenoids, which is renewed under the valve cover. GM's L84 judges cylinder 6 under its own code P349D. Electrical faults on the same channel are P3441, P3443 and P3444.
- What you may notice
- Check engine lamp on
- Jerk or vibration when the engine changes between eight and four cylinders
- Misfire on cylinder 6 (P0306)
- Fuel consumption rises because deactivation is locked out
- Likely causes
- PossibleOutdated PCM calibration (FCA 6.4 l, bulletins 18-082-16 and 18-036-20)
- PossibleRestricted oil feed tube to the left-bank solenoids (Ford 5.0 l, TSB 26-2093)
- PossibleOil level too low, wrong grade or worn oil, so pressure builds too slowly
- RareDeactivating lifter of cylinder 6 not locking or unlocking
- Inspection (ITP)
- Matters for the ITP. While the check-engine light is on, the car fails the emissions check.
- Repair
- Hard · Usually a job for a workshop.Typical cost: €100 – €3,500
- Related codes
Explanation from obdex (CC0), exactly as the app shows it. Guidance only; confirm with a workshop.