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Codes P0076, P0079, P0031, P0445 and P0037?

Tiny
MCSWANSON11
  • MEMBER
  • 2012 KIA SORENTO
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
I was driving along like normal with no check engine light whatsoever. (No check engine light through this entire experience) when I suddenly noticed the engine started to work harder to accelerate. Over the next couple drives (all within 24 hours) this continued with steps of not being able to accelerate uphill, not being able to exceed 35 mph uphill, 30 mph on any surface, to zero drive power. Nothing obviously physically wrong. Sounds like a CatCon. I pulled codes with fingers crossed and got 5.
Again, with no check engine light. They are
P0076-intake valve solenoid
P0079-exhaust valve solenoid
P0031-upstream A/F O2 sensor
P0445-EVAP system leak/low pressure
P0037-downstream HO2S

Thanks for the insight and ideas. My current plan is to pull the Cat and verify pos or neg function.
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Thursday, November 16th, 2023 AT 1:34 PM

18 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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I would check the engine oil to make sure it is full and clean. The top two codes can cause the engine to run poorly. Here is how to check the catalytic converter.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-catalytic-converter

P0076: This code indicates a problem with the intake valve control solenoid circuit, specifically a low voltage situation.

P0079: This code also relates to the intake valve control system but indicates a low circuit in the exhaust valve control solenoid.

P0031: This code points to an issue with the heater control circuit of the oxygen sensor.

P0445: This code indicates a problem with the evaporative emission control system, specifically with the purge control valve circuit.

P0037: Similar to P0031, this code is related to the oxygen sensor heater control circuit but specifically refers to the sensor located in bank 1, sensor 2.

Please start a new question for the P0445 code. Here is the location of the oxygen sensor so you can swap that out. Usually the honeycomb inside the cat falls apart and plugs the outlet fyi. Check out the images (below). Please upload pictures or videos of the problem so we can see what's going on.
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Friday, November 17th, 2023 AT 11:45 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Here is the location of the intake oil control solenoid so you can swap it out as well.
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+1
Friday, November 17th, 2023 AT 11:53 AM
Tiny
MCSWANSON11
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Hey Ken! Thanks for the response! I know what all the codes are referring to as you described. What I am looking for is more about how they are all related. I don't see a situation where each individual sensor electrically fails at the same time. Any ideas?
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Saturday, November 18th, 2023 AT 10:44 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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It looks like you have two problems, did you see if the catalytic converter has come apart? The other two codes are for the intake runner control which if you could start a new question for that problem because we only handle one problem per thread.
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Monday, November 20th, 2023 AT 7:21 AM
Tiny
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Hey Ken, I have had adverse weather the past few days. Today is much drier so I should be able to post pictures after.
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Monday, November 20th, 2023 AT 9:15 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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That would be great, please upload the images when you can.
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Tuesday, November 21st, 2023 AT 11:03 AM
Tiny
MCSWANSON11
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  • 12 POSTS
So, I am having a heck of a time loosening the bolts for the CatCon. I only can lift it up on jack stands so my clearance is very limited. I am changing the oil after I checked it and realized I forgot about it when my 2nd child was born with a move into a new home the same month. Afterwards I am going to temp check the Cat with an infrared before I over commit to getting it off.
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Tuesday, November 21st, 2023 AT 4:32 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, life can be hectic sometimes. You can upload images if you have a problem so I can walk you through the repair. Let me know how it goes.
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Thursday, November 23rd, 2023 AT 9:16 AM
Tiny
MCSWANSON11
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Thanks. I turned the car on and didn't get a single code, active or stored. I revved the engine a couple times and it sounded normal. So, I looked under the hood and then under the car. There is noticeable white smoke leaking from the Cat Con. I am going to give it another shot at getting it off tomorrow after work.
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Tuesday, November 28th, 2023 AT 4:37 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Okay, sounds good, please let me know if you find anything.
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Thursday, November 30th, 2023 AT 9:23 AM
Tiny
MCSWANSON11
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Finally got the cat off. Failed the light test. Ordered the replacement and will go from there.
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Sunday, December 10th, 2023 AT 1:39 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Good work, but that looks like the secondary cat, did you check the primary cat? The primary cat is part of the exhaust manifold. Please go over the diagrams above. Please let me know what you find.
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Monday, December 11th, 2023 AT 9:47 AM
Tiny
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Good morning, I was able to remove the exhaust manifold. Primary cat was dirty as well. Waiting for that part to be delivered to replace it along with a new gasket and downstream 02 sensor.
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Thursday, January 4th, 2024 AT 9:12 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, that will cause a problem, can you see down inside the inlet to tell if the catalyst material is melted or broken?
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Friday, January 5th, 2024 AT 8:44 AM
Tiny
MCSWANSON11
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I can see inside the exit inlet, and it is solid black with faint lines of the cat filter screen. I will post a picture when I get home from work this afternoon.
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Friday, January 5th, 2024 AT 8:58 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Okay, sounds good.
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Sunday, January 7th, 2024 AT 9:51 AM
Tiny
MCSWANSON11
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I just wanted to finish and close this thread. I replaced both up and down stream O2 sensors along with the exhaust manifold and the cat con. Ever sense the car has been running fantastic. It has been about 2-3 months now since I finished the repair. Huge thanks to Ken for all the help and information.
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Wednesday, April 24th, 2024 AT 1:34 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Glad you could get it fixed, thanks for letting us know. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.
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Thursday, April 25th, 2024 AT 9:44 AM

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