Code 0411 Secondary Air Injection

[Eagleta2]

HI Everyone!

I know that this has come up before and I think that Omermurat (sp?) may have helped out others before but for some reason I can only find one response but I remember seeing more... I thought? I am hoping that someone can help me out here.

My CEL has come on twice in a row for this same code and Auto Zone has cleared it both times in a week... now it is on again which is making me think that there is a real problem and not just a fluke.

I am not against trying to fix it on my own at all... I just do not have a ton of knowledge when it comes to car repairs. I actually have no clue on how to get to things or what an actuator is or what a vacuum advance does? I am fairly mechanical but just dunno where to start.

I am wondering if I should go buy a set of the GM service manuals. Do any of you guys have them? Are they worthwhile?

Thanks in advance for all of your help!!

Geo

[ewill3rd]

I usually buy a service manual for any car I wish to keep.
In fact I buy them for my motorcycles too, even though I rarely use them, when I need them they are worth their weight in gold.

P0411 is usually an AIR problem, depends on what kind of car we are talking about, but I have seen this a lot on certain types of vehicles and it's usually a sticky AIR check valve.

[Eagleta2]

I am sorry - forgot to mention that it is on a 1997 Catera

Thanks in advance for any instructions

Geo

[AllenPacla]

Do a search on this forum, aside from Omer sending out the pdf file on how to fix the problem, I made a post there on how to find out which of the components of the AIR system is at fault. The title of the thread if i am not mistaken is Check Engine light not lighting up.

[mastertech]

Check the hose from the bypass valve to the pipe, see if it has a hole in it, or if you have recently repaired that hose, the valve is probably burned.

[ewill3rd]

P0411 means that the computer is monitoring the O2 sensors, it commands the AIR pump on and watches for the 02s to switch full lean.
If the sensor continues to switch as if the AIR pump was not active it sets a code for that bank.
That code is for bank 1, which is the right bank on a Catera, the passenger's side. It's quite likely that your check valve is sticking intermittently.
Fairly common for the type of valve I have seen on that car.
I would recommend that you replace the AIR check valve.
I am not sure if there are two valves on that car, but if there are I would replace them both.
From what I can see it looks like only one, but it might be partly sticking.
There is actually a TSB regarding the '97 Catera for this concern.

Part Number
Description

09196528
Valve, Check

[Eagleta2]

Originally Posted by AllenPacla

Do a search on this forum, aside from Omer sending out the pdf file on how to fix the problem, I made a post there on how to find out which of the components of the AIR system is at fault. The title of the thread if i am not mistaken is Check Engine light not lighting up.

Hi Allen

I have read your way to diagnose the failing component without a scan tool and have kept that as it might be helpful.

Could you send me the pdf file that omer sent out earlier this year to : gtvtsmith@yahoo.com please? That would make my Saturday go a little smoother.

I dont mean to be crass... but I wouldnt know a check valve if it fell out of my car and hit me in the forehead It would be nice to have a document to "dumb it down" a little.

Thanks a million

Geo

[AllenPacla]

There are two valves on the 97 Catera AIR system, one is made of aluminum casing and the other one is made of plastic. I had the aluminum valve faulty, it's not closing really well, but i didn't replace it. I thought that the other valve is enough to hold back flow of exhaust going to the air pump. In my case, it's the control solenoid that is not functioning properly. I went on to replace it and the Check Engine light problem was solved. Buying two and replacing both without realizing what is the problem is not a good idea because you can just end up spending money for nothing. It's easy to diagnose which one of the many components of the system is faulty, you just have to have the time a little understanding on how the system works. Just like i said in previous post on this, all it takes is a couple or perhaps three cold starts and you'll get to the bottom of it.

[ewill3rd]

I would agree that you need to make sure the AIR pump is operating properly, but....
A P0410 usually sets if this is the case because both banks show no AIR system response.
P0411 and PO412 are related to each bank individually, this means that typicall if one sets then the other side is working properly. That means something is not allowing the air to flow into that bank of cylinders.
While scientifically it is possible to have another problem, I have yet to see a P0411 or a P0412 that is not related to a sticking check valve.
They are not expensive at all.

In the illustration number 3 is the valve I am speaking of.
I have not had to replace one of these on Catera, but sometimes if the car has some corrosion it can be quite a challenge to get the old one loose.
If I remember correctly you'll see this valve under the intake duct on the front of the engine. It's hard to miss I think.

Barring having the diagnostic tools you'd need to accurately diagnose this concern this is what I would recommend. If you'd like to have a professional diagnose the car, that would of course be your best option, it always is.

[valle1018]

I have also had the P0411 code for some time now. I now know what the valve looks like that I need to replace. Where is a good cheap place to get one?