P3000 – Manufacturer Controlled DTC Bank 1

By Reinier (Contact Me)
Last Updated 2019-06-19
Automobile Repair Shop Owner

Table of Contents

1. What Does Code P3000 Mean?
2. Where is the P3000 sensor located?
3. What are the common causes of code P3000?
4. What are the symptoms of code P3000?
5. Get Help with P3000

What Does Code P3000 Mean?

OBD II fault code P3000 is a manufacturer specific code that is defined as “Manufacturer Controlled DTC – Manufacturer Controlled”, and is set when the PCM (Powertrain Control Module) detects a failure, defect, or malfunction in a part, component, system, or subsystem that is associated with the definition a particular manufacturer has assigned to code P3000.

SPECIAL NOTES: Although many manufacturers have assigned code P3000 to different systems and/or sub-systems on their products, and therefore use this code to indicate a wide variety of make and model specific failures, two definitions occur on a wider range of vehicles than any other definition. These definitions are-

• On many VAG group vehicles code P3000 is defined as “CAN data bus, instrumentation – glow plug warning lamp”, while
• on many General Motors and related products, code P3000 is defined as “Hacking AWH Data”. Note that AWH stands for “Advanced Web Hacking”, which means that the presence of this code indicates either that an attempt to hack into the affected vehicles’ communications system is in progress, or that an attempt to hack into the affected vehicle had been attempted.     

While limited space precludes a comprehensive discussion of both code definitions, this article will nevertheless provide basic information on the causes of code P3000 on both VAG group and General Motors products. END OF SPECIAL NOTES.

P3000 – General Motors

Many modern vehicles are now referred to as “connected vehicles”, in the sense that the vehicle is capable of communicating with its surroundings, such as traffic-control infrastructure, cloud-based applications that are used for navigation, entertainment, and diagnostic equipment that may be located remotely.

Moreover, communications systems in increasingly large numbers of modern vehicles are also capable of communicating with a driver’s or occupant’s personal and business WIFI networks, connections, and hotspots. While this capability gives drivers and occupants of these vehicles the ability to remain in contact with their homes and business while travelling, it is possible for skilled hackers with the right tools to breach not only even encrypted personal WIFI communications and personal information, but also to take control of at least some of the vehicle’s control functions.

However, while this has happened, most hacking attempts focus on remotely cloning encrypted security codes programmed into key fobs and keyless entry systems to gain unauthorized entry to vehicles and their contents. While both the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) are currently developing standards that have the purpose of reducing the incidence of vehicle hacking, there is as yet no single strategy in place anywhere in the world that will prevent vehicle hacking on all vehicles under all possible circumstances.

P3000 – VAG group vehicles

On these applications, code P3000 refers to a failure, defect, or malfunction in the CAN (Controller Area Network) serial communications system that controls/ monitors the glow plug warning lamp, but particularly the glow plug warning lamp circuitry for Bank 1, which is the bank of cylinders on V-type engines that contains cylinder #1.

The function of glow plugs on diesel engines is to supply an initial source of heat to assist in the combustion of the diesel/air mixture when an engine is cold, or the coolant temperature is below a predefined limit. On modern engines, the glow plugs are controlled individually by a dedicated glow plug control module that has the ability to sense the electrical resistance of each individual glow plug.

Since the electrical resistance of each individual glow plug is known, the glow plug control module can control the mount of current that is fed to each glow plug, meaning that unlike previous systems, a modern glow plug control module/system can heat all the glow on a given bank of cylinders plugs to the same temperature in the same amount of time, which reduces start-up times and emissions.

Thus, when the PCM detects a failure or defect in the glow plug warning lamp’s control/monitoring circuits, it will recognize that is cannot control the glow plugs on the affected bank of cylinders effectively, and it will set code P3000 as a result.

Where is the P3000 sensor located?

The image above is an artists’ impression of the typical communications network an average connected vehicle is capable of being a part of. In practice though, any part of this communications network can be breached by a skilled hacker, but worse, signals from for instance, connected traffic lights and road signs can potentially be interrupted by a hacker in order to cause traffic accidents.

On VAG group vehicles, the actual site of the failure, defect, or malfunction in the CAN bus system that caused code P3000 to be set can be located almost anywhere in the CAN bus system.

What are the common causes of code P3000?

P3000 – General Motors

The principal cause of code P3000 on GM and related vehicles is the presence of programming vulnerabilities in mainly the security systems of these vehicles. Note that these systems are not user-programmable, and the only reliable remedy for a hacking attempt on the vehicle itself or one or more key fobs is to have the vehicle/keys reprogrammed with updated software and security patches by the dealer.

P3000 – VAG group vehicles

The most common cause(s) of this code on affected vehicles include the following-

• Damaged, burnt, shorted, disconnected, and/or corroded wiring and/or connectors
• Unlike most other codes, a failed or failing PCM resistor or driver circuit is a common cause of this code. Replacement of the failed/defective PCM is the only reliable remedy

What are the symptoms of code P3000?

P3000 – General Motors

Symptoms could include one or more of the following-

• Stored trouble code and illuminated security/anti-theft warning light
• Note that multiple security related trouble codes may sometimes be present along with P3000
• No crank, or no start condition
• Onboard navigation and/or infotainment systems may not work, or may behave erratically
• Some instruments, and particularly the fuel gauge may not work, or may behave erratically

P3000 – VAG group vehicles

Symptoms may include the following-

• Stored trouble code and illuminated warning light
• Engine may crank for longer than usual before starting
• In very low ambient temperatures, the engine may not start and/or idle at all
• If the engine starts normally, the idling may be rough, erratic, or fluctuate until the engine coolant reaches a temperature of about 100 degrees F.

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