P003A Turbo boost control position (vane or actuator) outside the range the computer has learned

Turbocharger boost control position exceeded learning limit

P003A in short

P003A means the computer found the turbo's boost control position (the variable vane or actuator) outside the range it has learned. On diesel pickups, a failing turbo actuator or a chafed position-sensor wire is the documented cause. Get it inspected soon, and stop if power drops or the turbo gets noisy.

Many diesel turbochargers change boost with movable vanes driven by an electric actuator. The computer learns the end positions of that movement, and if the actuator or its position signal strays beyond what was learned, it sets P003A. In the bulletins for Ram, Ford and GM trucks the code is listed with other boost codes such as P0234 overboost and P00AF boost control performance.

Ram's Cummins 6.7L bulletins replace the turbocharger actuator. Ford's 2020 to 2022 6.7L bulletin says that if its workshop tests point to the variable vane actuator, a new actuator part is available and the whole turbocharger no longer has to be replaced. GM's bulletins point to a chafed wire on the vane position sensor on the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans.

Kelley Blue Book also lists corroded connectors, damaged wiring and exhaust leaks. The code is mostly seen on diesel trucks, though the definition is not limited to them.

Most likely causes

  1. Turbocharger vane actuator failing

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Ram bulletins 0900122 and 0900522 replace the Cummins 6.7L turbocharger actuator, and Ford SSM 50564 releases a new vane actuator for 6.7L Super Duty trucks with P003A and other turbo codes. Both are unverified flat-file summaries.
    What would change this
    Rises if a dealer confirms your VIN is covered or the actuator fails its test. Falls if the actuator moves through its full range and the wiring is damaged.

  2. Chafed or damaged wiring at the vane position sensor

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    GM bulletin PIP-4636 tells technicians to inspect for a chafed wire on the vane position sensor when P003A and other turbo codes are found on the Express and Savana vans. Kelley Blue Book also lists frayed wiring.
    What would change this
    Rises if a chafed or shorted wire is found at the sensor. Falls if the harness is intact.

  3. Corroded connector or exhaust leak near the turbo

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    Kelley Blue Book lists corroded connectors, pins and grounds and exhaust system leaks as causes.
    What would change this
    Rises if connectors are corroded or soot trails show an exhaust leak at the turbo. Falls if connectors are clean and the exhaust is tight.

  4. Damaged turbocharger

    Possible — needs testing
    Why it ranks here
    Kelley Blue Book lists damaged turbo components, but it is a less common outcome than actuator or wiring faults and is only suspected after those test good.
    What would change this
    Rises if the vanes bind or the shaft is damaged. Falls if the vanes move freely.

What to test first

Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.

  1. Read all codes and freeze-frame data. Note any P0234, P00AF, P0046, P2563 or other turbo codes stored with P003A.

    Low riskTool: OBD-II scan tool

    • IfOther turbo codes are stored too

      It meansThe actuator, vane position sensor or their wiring is a likely common cause.

      Go to step 2

    • IfP003A is stored alone

      It meansStill check for a bulletin, then the wiring.

      Go to step 2

  2. Ask a dealer whether your VIN is covered by a turbo actuator bulletin or warranty extension (Ram Cummins 6.7L, Ford 6.7L, GM Express and Savana).

    Low risk

  3. Inspect the turbo actuator and vane position sensor wiring and connectors for chafing, corrosion or loose pins, with the engine off and cool.

    Use caution

    Warning:The turbo and exhaust parts are extremely hot after driving. Let the engine cool fully first.

  4. Have the turbo actuator commanded through its range with a scan tool and compare commanded and actual position.

    Best left to a shopTool: bidirectional scan tool

    Warning:Needs a professional shop with the right scan tool and wiring diagrams; do not guess at this step.

Symptoms

  • Check engine light on
  • Reduced power or poor acceleration, sometimes with limp mode Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.
  • Loud or whining turbo noise Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.
  • Worse fuel economy and rough idle

Compare with: Check engine light with loss of power

How to fix

  1. With the engine off and cool, look at the wiring and connector at the turbo actuator for chafing, corrosion or a loose plug.

  2. Ask a dealer whether a turbo actuator bulletin or warranty extension covers your VIN.

On your vehicle

Ram

  • 2015 · 3500

    Supported by vehicle data

    Ram bulletin 0900522 replaces the turbocharger actuator on Cummins 6.7L trucks with P003A and related codes. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • 0900122 Rev AStatus unverified

    Cummins 6.7L turbocharger actuator warranty extension (X93)

    2013–20154500, 5500 · NHTSA 10212377

    Replaces the turbocharger actuator with an updated one when codes including P003A are set.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • 0900522Status unverified

    Cummins 6.7L turbocharger actuator warranty extension (X99)

    20152500, 3500 · NHTSA 10212407

    Replaces the turbocharger actuator when MIL comes on with codes including P003A.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Ford

  • 2020–2022 · F-250 Super Duty

    Supported by vehicle data

    Ford SSM 50564 covers 6.7L Super Duty trucks with P003A and other turbo codes; the same bulletin applies to F-350 and F-450. If diagnostics point to the vane actuator, a new actuator part is available. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • SSM 50564Status unverified

    6.7L Super Duty turbo codes including P003A

    2020–2022f-250-super-duty, f-350-super-duty, f-450-super-duty · NHTSA 10208834

    If workshop diagnostics lead to a variable vane actuator, a new actuator part is available and replacing the whole turbocharger is no longer required.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Chevrolet

  • 2004–2009 · Express

    Supported by vehicle data

    GM bulletins PIP-4629 and PIP-4636 list P003A for the diesel Express/Savana, and PIP-4636 points to a chafed wire at the vane position sensor. Whether they are still current is not verified.

  • 2006 · Silverado 3500 HD

    Supported by vehicle data

    One 2006 Silverado 3500 Duramax owner reports intermittent P003A (boost control position not learned) with P0087 from new. A single complaint.

  • PIP-4636Status unverified

    Turbo vane position sensor wire chafe

    2007–2009express · NHTSA 10030730

    With turbo codes including P003A, inspect for a chafed wire at the vane position sensor.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • PIP-4629Status unverified

    Diesel turbo DTC P2563 or P003A

    2004–2009express · NHTSA 10030207

    Preliminary information for reduced power with turbo DTC P2563 or P003A. The NHTSA summary does not give the repair.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • P0234Turbocharger or supercharger boost pressure is higher than the engine computer requested

    Shares causes Supported by vehicle data

    Ford, GM and Ram turbo bulletins list P0234 (overboost) together with P003A, so both can come from the same actuator or position fault.

  • P00AFTurbo boost control module performance fault

    Shares causes Supported by vehicle data

    Ram's Cummins 6.7L bulletin lists P00AF (boost control performance) with P003A as codes from the same failing turbo actuator.

All Turbocharging, fuel pressure and EGR codes

P003A questions

Is P003A the same as a bad turbo?

Not necessarily. Bulletins point first to the actuator and position-sensor wiring, which can be repaired without a whole turbocharger on some trucks.

Can I keep driving with P003A?

Kelley Blue Book advises against it. If power drops or the turbo gets noisy, stop and get the truck inspected.

Sources and review

  1. P003A turbocharger or supercharger boost control position code — Kelley Blue Book
  2. Ford bulletin SSM 50564: 6.7L Super Duty with P003A and other turbo codes; new variable vane actuator part released instead of whole turbocharger — Ford
  3. Ram bulletin 0900122 Rev A: Cummins 6.7L turbocharger actuator warranty extension; P003A named as turbocharger boost control position exceeded learning limit — Ram
  4. Ram bulletin 0900522: Cummins 6.7L turbocharger actuator warranty extension for 2015 2500/3500; P003A among listed codes — Ram
  5. GM bulletin PIP-4636: turbo vane position sensor wire chafe with P003A among the codes — GM
  6. GM bulletin PIP-4629: diesel engine turbo DTC P2563 or P003A with reduced power — GM
  7. NHTSA complaint ODI 10641106, 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Duramax LBZ: P003A described as turbocharger boost control position not learned, with P0087 — NHTSA
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
Editorial review
Pending
Technician review
Technician review pending

This page explains what a code usually means; it is not a substitute for a professional inspection. How we source and review · Report an error

My Car

Pick your car and code pages will point out notes and bulletins for it. Saved only in this browser.

Fill this in from your VIN

Used once to identify your engine; not stored.