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P0660 – Intake Manifold Tuning Valve Control Circuit (Bank 1) (OBD2)

P0660 means "Intake Manifold Tuning Valve Control Circuit (Bank 1)". The control unit has detected a fault in the electrical circuit of the intake manifold tuning valve: the signal or control current is missing or outside the expected window. The code does not say whether the value is too high or too low, so the wiring and the component itself both have to be checked.

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P0660 quick summary

Fault codeP0660
MeaningIntake Manifold Tuning Valve Control Circuit (Bank 1)
SystemPowertrain (Engine & Transmission)
VehiclesGeneric OBD2
SeverityLow
Can I drive?Yes. You may notice slightly less power at certain engine speeds.
Repair cost€20 – €600

How the intake manifold tuning valve works

The intake manifold tuning valve changes the length or path of the intake runners to improve torque at low rpm and power at high rpm; these codes cover its control circuit.

Many petrol engines have a variable intake manifold: a flap or valve switches between long runners (more torque at low rpm) and short runners (more power at high rpm). It is operated by a vacuum actuator controlled by a solenoid, or by an electric motor with a position sensor.

Codes P0660–P0665 report open, low or high faults in the tuning valve control circuit for bank 1 and bank 2. If the valve does not switch, the engine loses some torque or top-end power, but usually runs normally otherwise.

Typical causes are a failed solenoid, cracked vacuum hoses, a sticking flap or broken linkage, and wiring problems.

Bank 1 is the side of the engine that contains cylinder 1. In-line engines (three, four, five or six cylinders in a row) have only bank 1.

On VAG vehicles (VW, Audi, Škoda, Seat, Cupra), VCDS and older VAG testers can show this code as the five-digit VAG code 17044 (P0660). Both numbers mean the same fault.

Symptoms of P0660

  • Check Engine light on
  • Reduced power at low or high rpm
  • Rattle from the intake (broken linkage)
  • Slightly higher fuel consumption
  • Often no noticeable symptoms

Most common causes of P0660 (most likely first)

Mechanic's Pro Tip

On many engines the plastic linkage of the intake flaps breaks long before the actuator fails – look at the linkage before buying a new actuator.

  1. 1.Damaged wire or loose, corroded connector at the intake manifold tuning valve

    Most likely

    Green or white corrosion, pushed-back pins and chafed insulation near hot or moving parts are the most common findings.

  2. 2.Faulty intake manifold tuning valve

    An internal break or short in the component itself.

  3. 3.Blown fuse or missing supply voltage

    If several codes appeared at the same time, check the shared fuse, relay or ground point first.

  4. 4.Cracked vacuum hose

  5. 5.Sticking flap or broken linkage

  6. 6.Control unit driver fault

Step-by-step diagnostic guide

  1. 1

    Read codes

    Read all codes and note which bank is affected.

  2. 2

    Check the circuit with a multimeter

    With the ignition off, unplug the intake manifold tuning valve and the control unit connector (or back-probe), then check each wire between them for continuity and for shorts to ground and to battery voltage. Compare the component's resistance or supply voltage with the value in the repair manual.

    Multimeter: Wire continuity: below about 1 Ω. Wire to ground with both connectors unplugged: no continuity. Supply/reference with ignition on: usually 5 V for sensors, battery voltage for actuators.

  3. 3

    Command the valve

    Use the scan tool to switch the valve and watch or listen for movement.

  4. 4

    Check vacuum and solenoid

    Check the vacuum supply and hoses; measure the solenoid resistance.

    Multimeter: Many tuning valve solenoids read about 20–40 Ω; check the specification.

  5. 5

    Check the linkage

    Check that the flap moves freely and the linkage is intact.

  6. 6

    Repair and verify

    Replace the faulty part and clear the codes.

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep driving with P0660?

Yes. You may notice slightly less power at certain engine speeds.

How much does it cost to fix P0660?

Typical repair costs are 20 € – 600 €, depending on the cause and the vehicle. The most common fixes are: damaged wire or loose, corroded connector at the intake manifold tuning valve; faulty intake manifold tuning valve; blown fuse or missing supply voltage. Always confirm the cause with the tests above before buying parts.

Is an intake manifold tuning valve code serious?

Usually not; the engine loses some performance but runs normally.

Is it the same as swirl flaps?

Similar but not the same: tuning valves change the runner length, swirl flaps change the air flow pattern in the cylinder. Some engines have both.

What is the difference between P0660 and similar codes?

P0660 belongs to a group of codes for the same component that differ in the type or location of the fault: P0661 – Intake Manifold Tuning Valve Control Circuit Low (Bank 1); P0662 – Intake Manifold Tuning Valve Control Circuit High (Bank 1); P0663 – Intake Manifold Tuning Valve Control Circuit (Bank 2); P0664 – Intake Manifold Tuning Valve Control Circuit Low (Bank 2); P0665 – Intake Manifold Tuning Valve Control Circuit High (Bank 2); P2004 – Intake Manifold Runner Control Stuck Open Bank 1. The tests on this page apply to the whole group; the type of fault tells you where to start.

Related fault codes

This guide is for information only. Working on vehicles can be dangerous — if you are unsure, have the car checked by a qualified mechanic. Values can differ between model years; always check the manufacturer's repair information.