P1473 — SSPOD Open Circuit or Closed Circuit Fault

Is it safe to drive with P1473?

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 much does it cost to fix P1473?

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

What is the most common cause of P1473?

The most common causes are: blown fuse feeding the circuit, faulty sensor or actuator of the affected circuit, corroded, loose or damaged connector.

Will P1473 clear itself?

Sometimes P1473 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.

What are the symptoms of P1473?

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

When the engine control unit detects that a sensor or actuator circuit is not behaving within its expected parameters, it logs trouble code P1473. The official description for this code reads "SSPOD Open Circuit or Closed Circuit Fault," and it falls under the powertrain category, meaning it relates to the engine or transmission control systems. The SSPOD refers to a specific switching or sensing circuit — the exact component varies by manufacturer, but the underlying problem is the same: the circuit is either fully interrupted (open) or is shorted in a way that prevents proper operation (closed).

To trigger P1473, the control module monitors the affected circuit in real time and compares live voltage or resistance readings against factory-calibrated thresholds. This comparison typically runs over multiple drive cycles before the code is fully confirmed and the Check Engine Light is activated. When the fault sets, the ECU also captures a freeze frame — a snapshot of engine rpm, load percentage, coolant temperature, and vehicle speed at the exact moment the problem occurred. That snapshot is one of the most useful diagnostic tools you have, because it tells you what conditions the engine was under when the circuit misbehaved.

Common symptoms of P1473

• The component or system controlled by the SSPOD circuit operates intermittently or stops working entirely
• Check Engine Light remains illuminated on the dashboard
• Noticeable increase in fuel consumption under certain driving conditions
• Vehicle may enter reduced-power limp mode, depending on which system is affected
• Additional trouble codes may accompany P1473, pointing toward related electrical issues
• In rare cases, rough idle or slight performance hesitation can occur

What causes P1473?

• Corrosion, looseness, or physical damage at the electrical connector serving the affected circuit
• A weak or interrupted ground connection at the sensor or actuator
• An open circuit — broken or severed wiring — that prevents current from flowing
• A shorted circuit — wiring contacting ground or another voltage source where it should not
• Failure of the sensor or actuator itself, rendering it unable to produce or respond to the correct signal
• An internal driver fault within the engine control module that governs the SSPOD circuit
• Wiring insulation worn through by heat, chafing, or animal damage, causing intermittent shorts

How to diagnose P1473

Before touching any wiring, connect a quality OBD2 scanner and confirm that P1473 is stored in the ECU. Save the freeze frame data — note the rpm, load, coolant temperature, and speed readings. Those four values tell you exactly what the engine was doing when the fault appeared, which guides the rest of the diagnosis.

Check for any related trouble codes alongside P1473. Codes that reference related circuits, voltage irregularities, or ground faults often point directly to the root cause. While you are researching codes, also look up manufacturer technical service bulletins (TSBs) for your specific make, model, and model year — certain P1473 failures have documented factory fixes or software calibrations that eliminate the problem without any parts replacement.

Perform a thorough visual inspection of the wiring harness and connectors associated with the SSPOD circuit. Look for cracked insulation, wire strands visible outside the sheathing, green or white corrosion deposits on terminals, and any connectors that are not fully seated or have broken locking tabs. Even minor damage can cause intermittent faults that are difficult to catch during short test drives.

Using a multimeter, measure reference voltage, ground resistance, and signal continuity at the component connector with the harness disconnected. Compare your readings to the specifications in the repair manual — resistance values that are out of range or voltage that reads zero instead of five volts confirm a wiring or ground issue. If the wiring checks out, the problem lies inside the sensor or actuator itself.

Finally, perform a wiggle test on the harness while monitoring live data on the scanner. Gently flex the wiring along its length and watch the signal for drops or spikes. Any signal interruption during the wiggle test points to a broken wire or poor connection inside the insulation. After confirming the fault, clear the code and complete a full drive cycle that reproduces the conditions from the freeze frame. If P1473 does not return, the issue may have been temporary — if it returns immediately, the root cause has not been addressed.

Repair options and costs

The right repair depends entirely on what the diagnosis reveals. Begin with the least expensive and most frequently encountered problems before moving to costly component replacements.

• Repair wiring or connectors — This includes fixing broken wires, replacing damaged connectors, or cleaning corroded terminals. Typical cost: $80–$250 for parts and labor.
• Replace the faulty sensor or actuator — If testing confirms the component itself has failed, replacement is necessary. Typical cost: $150–$500 for parts and labor.
• Control module repair — In rare cases the engine control unit's internal driver for the SSPOD circuit has failed. Repair or replacement cost: $300–$1,000.

How much does it cost to fix P1473?

The total bill hinges entirely on which part is actually at fault. Based on typical independent shop rates in the United States, most P1473 repairs fall into one of three scenarios. Connector cleaning and wiring repairs run between $80 and $250. If the sensor or actuator needs replacing, expect to pay $150 to $500 depending on the part price and labor time. The most expensive scenario — an engine control module with an internal driver failure — can reach $1,000. Across all scenarios, the realistic total range is roughly $80 to $1,000. An accurate diagnosis before purchasing parts is the single best way to keep costs manageable, because the priciest repair is rarely the first one you should suspect.

Can you drive with P1473?

P1473 is classified as a short-severity fault in most vehicles. The car remains drivable in the majority of cases, though you may notice reduced performance or an auxiliary system — such as an emissions component — operating in a failsafe mode. Exercise caution and seek diagnosis promptly. If the vehicle exhibits stalling, failure to start, or warnings related to braking or steering systems alongside this code, treat the situation as urgent and have the car towed rather than driven.

Related OBD2 codes

• P1400: Glow Plug Monitor Fault (Bank #1)
• P1401: Glow Plug Monitor Fault (Bank #2)
• P1402: System Voltage Out Of Self Test Range
• P1403: VVT Solenoid B Circuit High Input
• P1404: Glow Plug Circuit High Side
• P1405: DPFE Circuit Low Input