SSPOD Open Circuit or Closed Circuit Fault
Your vehicle's Secondary Air Injection Pump Output Driver circuit has detected either an open (broken wire) or short (grounded wire) condition. Think of it like a light switch that's either stuck off or won't turn on properly.
The ECM monitors the control circuit voltage and current draw to the secondary air injection pump solenoid driver. It expects a specific voltage pattern when commanding the pump on and detects faults when voltage is absent (open) or stays low (short to ground). The circuit should toggle between high and low states during operation.
| Parameter | Normal Range | Fault Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Driver Output Voltage | 12V when activated, 0V when deactivated | Remains at 0V (open) or stuck high/low (short) |
| Circuit Resistance | 4-8 ohms solenoid coil | Infinite resistance (open) or <1 ohm (short) |
Code P1473 is a moderate fault. You can generally drive to a workshop, but avoid long trips or high-load driving (motorway, uphill towing) until it is diagnosed. If the code keeps returning after clearing, or if you notice the symptoms listed above worsening, do not delay professional diagnosis. Many moderate codes have multiple possible root causes — a mechanic with live OBD data can identify the exact fault more efficiently than part-by-part trial and error.
Once the fault is repaired, P1473 can be cleared using any OBD-II scanner. Connect the scanner, navigate to "Clear Codes" or "Erase DTCs," and confirm. The check engine light turns off immediately.
The code will return if the root cause was not actually fixed. The ECM re-detects the fault within 1–3 drive cycles and sets the code again.