Code
P20C0
Generic
P — Powertrain
Reductant Heater B Control Circuit High
Views:
UK: 17
EN: 17
RU: 23
AI status
Completed
Completed
100%
Causes
- Short to battery voltage on the heater B control circuit
- Failed heater relay or stuck relay contacts feeding the heater
- Water ingress, corrosion, or damaged connector at the heater
- Damaged wiring (chafing, pinched, exposed conductor) causing backfeed
- Faulty reductant heater element with internal short or abnormal wiring
- Faulty powertrain/engine control module (ECM/PCM) driver or sensor input
Symptoms
- Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) / Check Engine Light ON
- DTC P20C0 stored (may be accompanied by other DEF/heater codes)
- Reductant heater may be inoperative or on continuously
- Reduced or disabled SCR/NOx control functionality, possible engine derate
- DEF system warnings, reduced emissions performance, or cold-weather DEF freeze problems
What to check
- Retrieve freeze-frame and live data for reductant heater status; note when code set
- Visual inspection of wiring, connectors, and the heater module for damage, corrosion, or water
- Check fuses and any dedicated heater relay for proper operation
- Backprobe the heater B control circuit with scanner commanded on/off and measure voltages
- Measure resistance of the heater element at ambient temperature with connector disconnected
- Perform continuity checks for short-to-power and short-to-ground on the control wire
Signal parameters
- Expected control circuit voltage when heater commanded ON: low (near 0 V) if ECM switches ground, or depending on design a PWM drive low-level
- Expected control circuit voltage when heater commanded OFF: battery voltage (≈11–14 V) or open/high
- Typical heater element resistance (varies by vehicle): often in the low single-digit ohms to tens of ohms — consult vehicle spec
- Heater current draw (varies): can be several amps (commonly 1–20 A) when heating — consult service data
- Failure condition for this code: control circuit voltage higher than the ECM threshold for a given state or abnormal steady-high voltage when a low is expected
Diagnostic algorithm
- Read and record freeze-frame and related codes. Note conditions when the code set (temperature, time after start, commanded heater state).
- Visually inspect DEF-heater B connectors, harness routing, and protective sleeving. Repair any corrosion, water intrusion, or damaged insulation.
- With ignition ON (engine off) and using a scan tool, command heater B ON/OFF and observe the control circuit voltage. Backprobe the connector to avoid misleading readings.
- With heater connector disconnected, measure control circuit voltage while commanding ON. If voltage remains high with connector disconnected, suspect short to battery or relay feeding the circuit or ECM output fault.
- Measure heater element resistance at the heater connector. Compare to service spec. Very low resistance may indicate internal short; open circuit indicates broken heater element.
- Check for short-to-power on the control wire: disconnect inverter/ECM harness if needed and perform an ohms/voltage test to locate short.
- Inspect and test any associated relays, fuses, and power feeds for proper operation and no backfeed from other circuits.
- If wiring and heater check good but the control circuit still reads high only when ECM should be driving, consider ECM driver failure. Verify by following OEM diagnostic flow before replacing ECM.
- After repairs, clear codes and verify proper operation through several drive/start cycles and with cold-start conditions if relevant.
Likely causes
- Shorted control wire to battery voltage at or near the heater connector
- Corroded connector allowing voltage backfeed or intermittent contact
- Stuck heater relay supplying constant battery power to the heater circuit
- Open or high-resistance ground path so the ECM sees a high voltage
- Failed ECM output transistor (internal short to battery)
Fault status
Status
DTC P20C0 — Reductant Heater B Control Circuit High. Control circuit voltage above expected threshold detected by control module. MIL illuminated; DEF heater control fault affecting SCR system operation.
Repair difficulty: Medium
Diagnostic time: 0.5-2.0 hours
Similar codes
Workshop Manuals
Available brands with manuals
2
AUDI 11
6-speed manual gearbox 0B1, front-wheel drive — Workshop Manual (Edition 05.2014)
Workshop ManualAudi A3 (1997) – 1.6L 4-cylinder (2‑valve) Engine Mechanical Components Service Manual (AEH, AKL, APF) – Edition 07.2002
Workshop ManualAUDI A3 (2004) Workshop Manual — 2.0L FSI Turbo (4‑cyl, 4‑valve) Engine, Mechanics — Edition 03.2017
Workshop ManualAudi A3 2004 — Electrical System (Workshop Manual, Edition 02.2018)
Workshop ManualAudi A4 / A4 Cabriolet – 4.2 l V8 (5‑valve, timing chains) – Workshop Manual (Mechanics) – Edition 04.2007
Workshop ManualAudi A4 / A4 Cabriolet — Auxiliary Heater Workshop Manual (Edition 08.2004)
Workshop ManualAudi A4 / A4 Cabriolet (1.8T 4‑cyl turbo) — Motronic Injection & Ignition System Service Manual (Edition 01.2015)
Workshop ManualAudi A8 (2003) — Electrical System Workshop Manual (Edition 08.2014)
Workshop ManualAudi Q4 e-tron (Type F4) - Self-study Programme SSP 685
Workshop ManualAudi Q8 (2018) — Electrical System Workshop Manual (Edition 05.2019)
Workshop ManualAudi Servicing Manual — 7‑Speed Dual Clutch Transmission 0CJ / 0CL / 0CK / 0DN / 0DP / 0HL (Edition 05.2018)
Workshop ManualLAND ROVER 3
Land Rover Defender 300Tdi — Workshop Manual (1996 model year)
Workshop ManualLand Rover Defender Workshop Manual Supplement & Body Repair Manual (1999 & 2002 MY)
Workshop ManualLand Rover Range Rover — Electrical Library (LRL 0453ENG, 2002)
Workshop ManualYour experience will help others
+100 karma for a short comment :)
Was this AI description helpful?
Your feedback helps improve AI descriptions.
👍 Like
0
👎 Dislike
0
Send to email
