Failed or seized secondary air injection pump (electric air pump); Blown fuse or corroded relay in the AIR pump circuit; Damaged, disconnected, or cracked air injection hoses or tubing; Faulty secondary air injection check valve that is stuck open or closed; Corroded or damaged electrical connector or wiring at the AIR pump or solenoid; Failed AIR system solenoid or vacuum control valve (on vacuum-operated systems); Carbon buildup or blockage in the air injection passages inside the cylinder head or exhaust manifold

DTC codes / GM codes / P1415

P1415 · GMSecondary Air Injection (AIR) System

Q: What does code P1415 mean?

Secondary Air Injection (AIR) System. P1415 on a GM vehicle indicates that the powertrain control module has detected a fault within the secondary air injection (AIR) system, which pumps fresh air into the exhaust stream during cold starts to speed catalytic converter warm-up. The computer monitors the AIR system's electrical circuits and/or the resulting oxygen sensor response, and it sets this code when the expected change in exhaust oxygen content does not occur or when a circuit fault is detected.

P1415 on a GM vehicle indicates that the powertrain control module has detected a fault within the secondary air injection (AIR) system, which pumps fresh air into the exhaust stream during cold starts to speed catalytic converter warm-up. The computer monitors the AIR system's electrical circuits and/or the resulting oxygen sensor response, and it sets this code when the expected change in exhaust oxygen content does not occur or when a circuit fault is detected.

SystemPowertrain

Code typeGM specific

SeverityLow

Fix difficultyIntermediate

AreaAuxiliary emission controls

Symptoms you may notice

Illumination of the check engine light, often with no other noticeable symptoms
A slight hesitation or stumble during the first few seconds after a cold start
A brief, faint hissing or rushing air sound from the engine bay during cold-start that may be absent or constant
Slightly higher tailpipe emissions during the warm-up phase, though usually not perceptible to the driver
In some cases, a rough idle or lean-condition driveability complaint if the AIR system is stuck open
No change in normal driving performance once the engine reaches operating temperature

Common causes, most likely first

Failed or seized secondary air injection pump (electric air pump)
Blown fuse or corroded relay in the AIR pump circuit
Damaged, disconnected, or cracked air injection hoses or tubing
Faulty secondary air injection check valve that is stuck open or closed
Corroded or damaged electrical connector or wiring at the AIR pump or solenoid
Failed AIR system solenoid or vacuum control valve (on vacuum-operated systems)
Carbon buildup or blockage in the air injection passages inside the cylinder head or exhaust manifold

How to diagnose and fix it

Inspect all AIR system hoses and tubing for cracks, disconnects, or melted sections, and repair or replace as needed
Check the AIR pump fuse and relay, and test the relay operation with a multimeter or by swapping with a known-good relay
Command the AIR pump on with a scan tool and listen for pump operation; if silent, check for battery voltage and ground at the pump connector
Test the AIR check valve for proper one-way flow and replace it if it is stuck or leaking
Verify vacuum supply and operation of the AIR solenoid or control valve on vacuum-operated systems
Perform a resistance and voltage-drop test on the AIR pump circuit wiring and connectors to rule out high resistance
If all electrical and mechanical components pass, inspect the air injection passages in the cylinder head for carbon blockage and clean as necessary

What the P1415 code does not always mean

A P1415 does not automatically condemn the AIR pump; a stuck-open check valve can cause the same code by allowing exhaust backflow that damages the pump or skews oxygen sensor readings.
Many technicians replace the AIR pump only to find the real fault is a corroded ground wire or a failed relay that costs far less to fix.
On some GM engines, a leaking vacuum line to the AIR solenoid will set this code without any pump or valve failure, so always inspect the vacuum circuit first.
The code can be set by a lazy upstream oxygen sensor that fails to respond to the air injection pulse, even though the AIR system itself is functioning correctly.
Carbon-blocked air passages in the cylinder head are a common cause on higher-mileage GM trucks and SUVs, and they mimic a failed pump because the pump runs but no air reaches the exhaust.

Can I keep driving with P1415?

You can generally continue driving with a P1415 code because the secondary air injection system only operates during cold starts and does not affect engine power or safety. Avoid long periods of idling from a cold start and have the fault diagnosed soon to prevent potential catalytic converter damage from unburned fuel during warm-up.

Tools that help

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Guidance is general and written for GM vehicles. Exact tests and values vary by model, so confirm the fault before replacing parts.