Number P2402: EVAP System Leak Detection Pump Control Circuit High
P2402 points to the opposite fault of P2401: the pump control line sits at supply voltage or the pump draws too much current. GM's Volt tables call it a short to power detected while the driver is on; when it is active the ECM runs an intrusive check, running the pump for 15 s on command, with a Typ
Can you drive with P2402?
Severity: Plan the repair. Yes — this is an emissions-system fault. The car will generally drive normally, but it will fail an emissions inspection with the light on.
If you ignore it: Fuel economy and emissions creep up, and some faults in this family (rich/lean running) stress the catalyst over time.
This is the #96 most common code in our top-150 library, in the evap — fuel vapor system family (Powertrain system). Severity is Number Nest's editorial triage — if the light is flashing or the car feels unsafe, stop driving it whatever any page says.
What P2402 means
P2402 points to the opposite fault of P2401: the pump control line sits at supply voltage or the pump draws too much current. GM's Volt tables call it a short to power detected while the driver is on; when it is active the ECM runs an intrusive check, running the pump for 15 s on command, with a Type B code after 20 failed samples out of 25. In VW's Golf data book of 2014 the limit is a pump current above 3.0 A or, on other engines, the voltage across the pump's current-measuring resistor (about 1.8-4.0 V). Acura recalled 2021-22 TLX Type S models (B22-007) because faulty PGM-FI software could keep the MIL on and P2402 stored after an ELCM circuit repair; Audi and Land Rover also publish P2402 cases. Driving is unaffected, but the evaporative leak check is skipped.
Systems involved: evap leak detection pump, evap pump wiring.
Causes, ranked by likelihood
| # | Cause | Likelihood |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leak detection pump motor seized or drawing excessive current | most likely |
| 2 | Control wire shorted to a battery-voltage feed | possible |
| 3 | Control module software that does not clear the fault after repair (Acura TLX Type S recall) | less common |
Check them in order — the list is ranked so the likely, cheaper causes come before the expensive part.
Symptoms you may notice
- Check engine light that may persist after repair until software is updated
- EVAP readiness incomplete, inspection may fail
Misdiagnosis traps
- Replacing the part named by the code title without testing. The code reports a failed self-test; the cause list above is ranked so the likely, cheap causes are checked before the expensive part is condemned.
- Clearing the code and declaring victory when the light stays off for a day — the monitor that sets this code runs only under specific driving conditions.
(General diagnostic guidance for this code family — no code-specific trap is published for this code.)
How a good shop confirms it
- Confirm the code and record any companion codes — companions narrow the system fast.
- Inspect the affected components and their wiring/connectors for damage, corrosion and looseness.
- Test the top-ranked cause with live data or a multimeter before replacing anything.
(Standard diagnostic path for this family, labeled as general guidance.)
Repair options & costs
| Repair | Shop total (parts + labor) | DIY (parts only) | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| EVAP purge valve / solenoid | $68 – $198 | $30 – $110 (parts only) | 1/5 |
| EVAP leak diagnosis (smoke test) + gas cap | $73 – $248 | $10 – $60 (parts only) | 1/5 |
National ranges from Number Nest's cost model (midsize car, independent shop, US-average labor). Published cross-check — EVAP purge valve / solenoid: CarMD 2026 national average $172.
OBDex repair data for this code rates the job difficulty medium with a typical labor time in the 0.5–2 hour range and DIY possible: yes.
Price this repair in your state
Estimated total: — (midsize car, independent shop)
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to fix P2402?
The fix most associated with this code — evap purge valve / solenoid — runs $68 – $198 at an independent shop for a midsize car in our cost model (parts + labor, US average). The code names a system, not a part, so confirm the cause before spending: the ranked causes above are ordered by likelihood.
Can I drive with P2402?
See the can-you-drive verdict above — it is based on the system involved and the cascading-damage risk, and it is our editorial triage, not a manufacturer instruction. If the light is flashing or the car feels unsafe, stop driving it regardless of any code.
Will P2402 clear itself?
If the fault was a one-off (a loose cap, a cold-start glitch), the light can go out after several clean trips and the code ages into history. A fault that is still present re-sets the code as soon as the car runs that self-test again — monitors run under specific conditions, which is why "it hasn't come back in two days" is not proof of a fix.
Will my car fail inspection with P2402?
In states with OBD-based emissions inspection, yes — an illuminated check-engine light or an incomplete readiness monitor fails the test regardless of what the tailpipe would show. C-codes (ABS) fall under safety inspection instead in states that have one.
What should I check first for P2402?
The first item on the ranked-causes list above — it is ranked likelihood-first for exactly this reason — plus the free checks: recent work in the area (connectors left loose are a classic), fluid levels, and the battery and grounds on electrical codes.
Where this data comes from
Code facts, causes and symptoms come from OBDex — an open dataset of independently authored descriptions of the standardized generic OBD-II codes (CC0 1.0, public domain; github.com/foerbsnavi/OBDex). The SAE J2012 document itself is copyrighted and is not reproduced here. Cost ranges are Number Nest's own US planning model: national parts and labor ranges cross-checked against the CarMD Vehicle Health Index 2026 published averages, with labor adjustable by the BLS OEWS May 2025 state wage index for auto technicians (occupation 49-3023) — a wage index, not a surveyed shop rate. Severity and can-you-drive notes are our editorial triage, not a manufacturer instruction.