C1924 — VAPS Solenoid Actuator Output Circuit Short To Ground

chassis (brakes/steering/suspension)

Is it safe to drive?

Short-term driving is OK In most cases the car remains drivable, possibly with reduced performance or a disabled auxiliary system. If symptoms include stalling, no-start or brake/steering warnings, treat it as urgent.

How to diagnose with an OBD scanner

Read the code and freeze frame Connect an OBD2 scanner, confirm C1924 is stored, and save the freeze frame data — it shows engine conditions when the fault was detected.
Check for companion codes and TSBs Related codes often reveal the real root cause. Also check manufacturer technical service bulletins (TSB) for your make and model — many C0xxx issues have factory fixes or software updates. Search by VIN on the manufacturer site or nhtsa.gov.
Inspect wiring and connectors Visually inspect the wiring harness and connectors related to the VAPS solenoid actuator output circuit short to ground for damage, corrosion, chafing or poor contact.
Subsystem check Measure reference voltage, ground and signal continuity at the component connector.
Subsystem check Wiggle-test the harness while watching the signal in live data — dropouts reveal broken wires.
Verify the repair Clear the code, complete a full drive cycle including the conditions from the freeze frame, and confirm C1924 does not return.

Approximate repair cost

Repair cost depends on which component actually failed. Typical scenarios for C1924 (parts and labor, USD, independent shop rates): Replace the faulty sensor or actuator: $150–$500; Repair wiring or connectors: $80–$250; Control module repair: $300–$1,000. Overall, fixing C1924 usually costs between $80 and $1,000. An accurate diagnosis before buying parts saves money — the most expensive scenario is rarely the first one to check.

Common questions

What does OBD2 code C1924 mean?

VAPS Solenoid Actuator Output Circuit Short To Ground (C1924): a chassis (brakes/steering/suspension) fault affecting the sensor and actuator circuits. The car is usually drivable while you plan the repair. Most often caused by faulty sensor or actuator of the affected circuit, poor ground connection, corroded, loose or damaged connector.

How much does it cost to fix C1924?

Replace the faulty sensor or actuator — $150–$500; Repair wiring or connectors — $80–$250; Control module repair — $300–$1,000. Exact cost depends on the root cause, your vehicle and local labor rates — a proper diagnosis is the cheapest first step.

What are the symptoms of C1924?

Drivers most often notice: Check Engine Light on, the affected system operates intermittently or not at all, possible limp mode depending on the affected component, increased fuel consumption in some cases.

What is the most common cause of C1924?

The most common causes are: faulty sensor or actuator of the affected circuit, poor ground connection, corroded, loose or damaged connector.

Will C1924 clear itself?

Sometimes C1924 clears after a few drive cycles if the fault was intermittent — for example a loose connector or a tank of bad fuel. The underlying cause usually remains, so the code tends to return. Clear it once; if it comes back, diagnose rather than erase it repeatedly.

When your scan tool retrieves code C1924, it is telling you that the vehicle's control module has detected an abnormal electrical condition specifically in the VAPS (Vehicle Active Performance Suspension) solenoid actuator circuit — a short to ground has been found on the output side of that circuit. This diagnostic trouble code belongs to the chassis category, which covers brake, steering, and suspension-related electrical systems. Understanding the role of the VAPS solenoid helps explain why this fault matters: the solenoid is responsible for regulating hydraulic pressure or adjusting damping characteristics within the suspension or active handling system, and a grounded output circuit prevents proper operation of that component.

The powertrain or chassis control module does not set C1924 after a single instant of anomalous behavior. OBD2 standards require the module to confirm the short-to-ground condition across multiple drive cycles and specific operating parameters — such as a particular engine load, vehicle speed, or temperature range — before illuminating the malfunction indicator lamp. This confirmation logic is intentional; it prevents false triggers from temporary electrical noise. When C1924 is stored, the module also captures freeze frame data — a snapshot of engine load, RPM, coolant temperature, and vehicle speed at the exact moment the fault was detected. That snapshot is your roadmap for recreating the failure condition during diagnosis.

Why does the ECU care about a grounded solenoid output? Because a short to ground forces the circuit to behave as though the solenoid is permanently activated or completely disabled, depending on the circuit architecture. Either scenario disrupts the intended operation of the VAPS system, potentially affecting ride quality, handling response, or stability control coordination. The module logs C1924 to alert the driver and to protect downstream components from sustained abnormal operation.

Symptoms of C1924

The check engine or warning light stays illuminated on the instrument cluster
The affected VAPS-related system operates inconsistently or stops responding entirely
The vehicle may enter a reduced-power or limp-home mode, limiting certain electronic functions
Some drivers notice higher than normal fuel consumption due to compensatory ECU behavior
Suspension feel may become harsh, unpredictable, or noisier than usual
Steering response or brake assist could feel different if the fault intersects with those systems

Causes of C1924

Wiring in the VAPS solenoid output circuit is either broken, abraded, or shorted directly to the vehicle chassis ground
The electrical connector at the solenoid or control module is corroded, moisture-contaminated, or not fully seated
The VAPS solenoid actuator itself has failed internally and is pulling the circuit to ground
The control module driver transistor responsible for switching the solenoid output is defective
A chafed wire harness allows conductor contact with a metal bracket or body panel
An aftermarket accessory installation has created an unintended parallel ground path on the circuit

How to Diagnose C1924

Connect an OBD2 scan tool and confirm that C1924 is present in the stored codes. Save the associated freeze frame data to understand which engine conditions accompanied the fault — you will need to reproduce those conditions during your road test.
Review all other stored and pending codes alongside C1924. Codes that appear simultaneously often share a common root cause, such as a shared power supply or ground reference. Check manufacturer technical service bulletins using your vehicle's VIN — some C0xxx chassis codes have documented factory fixes or reflash updates.
Perform a thorough visual inspection of the wiring harness routed to the VAPS solenoid. Look for cracked insulation, pinch points near mounts or brackets, evidence of road debris damage, and any sign of moisture intrusion at connectors. Pull back protective loom where accessible to inspect the conductors underneath.
At the solenoid connector, use a multimeter to check for the expected reference voltage on the signal wire and verify that the ground path shows continuity without unintended resistance. Confirm that no voltage is present on a circuit that should read zero when the solenoid is supposed to be inactive — a grounded output will show near-zero volts when it should read supply voltage or a pulsed signal.
Conduct a wiggle test on the harness while monitoring live data on the scan tool or multimeter. Intermittent dropout of the signal during physical manipulation points to a broken conductor or poor terminal contact inside the insulation.
After repairs are made, clear C1924 and perform a complete drive cycle that includes the conditions captured in the freeze frame data. The code must stay cleared through multiple trips before the fault is considered resolved.

Repair Options and Costs

Depending on which component is ultimately responsible for C1924, the repair approach and expense vary considerably:

If the VAPS solenoid actuator itself is faulty, replacement of the sensor or solenoid assembly typically runs between $150 and $500 for parts and labor.
If the issue is limited to wiring or connectors — such as a chafed wire, corroded terminals, or a loose plug — repair costs generally fall between $80 and $250 depending on accessibility and whether splicing or full connector replacement is needed.
If diagnostic testing reveals that the control module driver is the culprit, module-level repair or replacement can cost anywhere from $300 to $1,000, depending on whether the unit can be rebuilt or must be sourced as a new or refurbished assembly.

Labor rates in the estimates above reflect typical independent shop pricing in the United States and do not include any additional diagnostic fees that some shops charge separately for inspection and testing time.

How Much Does Fixing C1924 Cost?

The total expense to resolve C1924 typically spans a wide range because the fault can originate in several different places in the circuit. Most situations involving this code are resolved for somewhere between $80 and $1,000 depending on the root cause. The most expensive scenario — control module replacement — is rarely the first thing to check. Spending time on a methodical diagnosis before purchasing parts almost always saves money, because wiring and connector issues are far more common than module failures and cost a fraction as much to correct.

Can You Drive with C1924?

In most instances, the vehicle remains drivable after C1924 sets. The malfunction indicator lamp indicates a non-emissions-related chassis fault, so the engine and transmission will continue to function. You may notice reduced performance from the VAPS system, a change in suspension behavior, or slightly increased fuel usage. However, if the fault produces symptoms such as unexpected stalling, failure to start, or illuminated brake or steering warning indicators, the situation should be treated as urgent and the vehicle should be inspected before further driving.