P2402 on 2022 Volkswagen Arteon: EVAP Leak Detection Pump Circuit High Causes and Fixes

What's Unique About the 2022-2022 Volkswagen ARTEON

For the 2022 Arteon and its MQB platform mates like the VW Atlas, the P2402 code is a very common fault pointing specifically to the LDP. While Volkswagen's Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) group P2402 with other EVAP leak codes like P0456 and P0442, owner experiences and mechanic reports overwhelmingly indicate the root cause is the pump's electrical circuit, not a system leak. The pump is controlled by a Pulse-Width Modulated (PWM) ground signal from the ECM, and failure often occurs internally within the pump's electronics.

Diagnostic Flowchart

Tap your situation to follow the diagnostic path that matches what you're seeing on this vehicle.

Symptoms You May Notice

• Illuminated Check Engine Light
• Inability to pass an emissions test.
• A blown fuse for the EVAP circuit is possible in some cases.

Most Likely Causes

1. Faulty EVAP Leak Detection Pump (LDP) 🔴 High Probability This is the most common failure. The pump contains electronics and a motor that can fail, creating an internal short circuit. This short draws excessive current, which the ECM detects as a 'circuit high' condition. It is a frequently reported problem on modern VWs.
   How to confirm: A technician will use a bi-directional scan tool to command the pump to activate. If the pump does not respond but the wiring provides correct power (12V+) and a PWM ground signal, the pump is internally faulty and must be replaced. The pump can also be tested with a multimeter; see 'Specific Diagnostic Values'.
   Typical fix: Replace the leak detection pump. The pump is located behind the rear passenger-side wheel well liner, often attached to the charcoal canister.
   Est. part cost: $120-$250
2. Wiring Harness Damage or Corrosion 🟡 Medium Probability The wiring for the LDP is located under the vehicle in the wheel well, exposing it to road spray, salt, and debris. This can lead to corrosion on the connector pins or chafing of the wires, causing a short to power.
   How to confirm: Visually inspect the wiring harness leading to the LDP for any signs of chafing, breaks, or green/white corrosion at the connector. Test for correct voltage and ground at the LDP connector with a multimeter. If the code returns after replacing the pump, the wiring is the next logical suspect.
   Typical fix: Repair the damaged section of the wiring harness or clean the connector pins with electrical contact cleaner and apply dielectric grease to prevent future corrosion.
   Est. part cost: $5-$50
3. Blown Fuse or Faulty Relay ⚪ Low Probability An electrical short in the pump or wiring can cause the corresponding fuse to blow as a protective measure. While less common than the pump failing, it should be an early check.
   How to confirm: Locate and inspect the fuse for the EVAP system or LDP circuit in the vehicle's fuse box. A visual inspection or continuity test will confirm if it's blown. Specifically check fuse S282.
   Typical fix: Replace the blown fuse. If the fuse blows again immediately, it indicates a persistent short circuit in the pump or wiring that must be diagnosed.
   Est. part cost: $1-$20

Rare But Worth Checking

• Faulty Engine Control Module (ECM): This is an uncommon cause. The ECM should only be suspected after the pump and wiring have been ruled out. A Reddit user with a VW Atlas noted a potential ECM update was part of the dealer's fix along with the pump, suggesting software may be a factor in some cases. A faulty ECM driver circuit could also theoretically cause this code.

Diagnosis Steps

1. Scan the ECM for P2402 and any other related trouble codes. Note the freeze frame data.
2. Check the fuse associated with the EVAP system/LDP. On some VW models, this is fuse S282. Replace if blown and re-test.
3. Locate the Leak Detection Pump. On the Arteon and similar MQB models, this involves removing the rear passenger-side wheel and the fender liner to access the components near the fuel filler neck. The pump is typically mounted to the charcoal canister.
4. Visually inspect the LDP's electrical connector and nearby wiring for obvious damage, corrosion, melting, or loose connections.
5. Using a multimeter with the ignition on, disconnect the connector and test the harness side. Check for battery voltage (12V+) on the power pin. Check for a ground signal on the ground pin—on many modern VWs, this is a pulse-width modulated (PWM) ground from the ECM, so a simple continuity test to ground may not be sufficient.
6. If power and ground signals are correct, test the resistance of the LDP itself across its pins (see 'Specific Diagnostic Values'). If resistance is out of spec, the pump is bad.
7. If power or ground is missing, trace the circuit back to the power source or ECM to find the open or short in the wiring. A continuity check from the LDP harness to ECU pins 9 and 69 has been noted for some VW models.
8. Optionally, use a bi-directional scan tool like VCDS to command the LDP to activate (Output Test) or run a full system check (Basic Settings, Group 070). Listen for the pump to run or click. If it fails to activate despite receiving proper power/ground, it has failed internally.
9. If a new pump is installed and the code returns, re-inspect the wiring harness thoroughly for an intermittent short to power and investigate edge cases like a faulty vacuum supply check valve.

Parts You'll Likely Need

• Evaporative Emissions System Leak Detection Pump (OEM #7L0-906-243-A (Verify visually)) — This pump is the component that the code directly monitors. An internal short circuit or failure within the pump is the most frequent cause of the 'circuit high' electrical fault.
  Trusted brands: Genuine Volkswagen, Bosch
  OEM price range: $160-$250
  Aftermarket price range: $120-$180

Related Codes That Often Appear With This One

• P0442 — This code for a small EVAP leak is mentioned alongside P2402 in VW Technical Service Bulletins, suggesting a system self-test may identify both a leak and a pump control circuit fault simultaneously.
• P0456 — This code for a very small EVAP leak is also cited with P2402 in VW TSBs for the 2022 Arteon, indicating they can be triggered together during the same diagnostic cycle.

Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) & Recalls

• VIN4APIN20230522: Notes customer complaints of MIL-on with P2402 stored in memory.
• VIN4APIN20230518: Lists P2402 as a possible fault when the check engine light is on.
• VIN4APIN20230330: Mentions P2402 as a fault that can be stored in the ECM, triggering the MIL.

Platform-Specific Known Issues

• Multiple Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) exist for the 2022 Arteon that list P2402 as a potential fault code stored in the ECM, often in conjunction with other EVAP codes like P0442 and P0456. These TSBs primarily acknowledge the code's existence rather than providing a specific repair procedure. [Bulletin #VIN4APIN20230522, #VIN4APIN20230518, #VIN4APIN20230330]
• This failure is extremely common on the related VW Atlas 🎬 Watch: 2022 Atlas leak detection pump removal and installation guide., suggesting a potential weakness in the pump design or its placement in a vulnerable location.

Mechanic-Grade Diagnostic Values

• Leak Detection Pump (V144) internal resistance — expected: Between pins 1 & 3: 640-720 Ω. Between pins 2 & 3: 15-28 Ω.. Failure: Readings outside of these specific ranges indicate an internal failure of the pump.
• Voltage at LDP harness connector (power pin) — expected: 11.5V - 14.5V (Battery/system voltage) with key on, engine off or running.. Failure: No voltage indicates a wiring or fuse/relay issue upstream.
• Signal at LDP harness connector (ground pin) — expected: Pulse-Width Modulated (PWM) ground signal when commanded by the ECM. This will not show as a constant ground with a test light.. Failure: No signal or a constant ground may indicate a wiring fault or a failed ECM driver.

Scan Tool Commands That Help

• VCDS (Ross-Tech): Basic Settings - Group 070 (Tank Leak Test) — To initiate a full, automated test of the EVAP system's integrity, which includes LDP function. The results will display as 'System OK' or 'System Not OK'.
• VCDS (Ross-Tech): Output Tests — To directly command the Leak Detection Pump (V144) to activate. This allows the technician to listen for the pump's clicking sound to verify it is mechanically responding to commands.
• ODIS (Official VW Dealer Software): Guided Fault Finding (GFF) Test Plan — This is the dealer-level procedure. The software runs a step-by-step diagnostic plan, prompting the technician for measurements and actions based on the specific fault code and vehicle data.

Wiring & Ground Locations

• Fuse S282 — In one of the vehicle's fuse boxes (consult vehicle-specific diagram).. This fuse may provide power to the Leak Detection Pump (V144). A blown fuse here would cut power to the pump and should be checked early in diagnosis.
• ECM Pins 9 & 69 — At the main Engine Control Module harness connector.. On some VW models, these specific pins correspond to the LDP circuit. Checking for continuity from these pins to the LDP connector is an advanced step to rule out a wiring break if a new pump doesn't fix the code.

Real Owner Repair Stories

• Ross-Tech Forums user (Volkswagen (model not specified, but diagnosis is universal for this LDP type)) — P2402 code that returned immediately after cold start, even after clearing.
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) Replacing the Leak Detection Pump (tried two different new pumps), Confirming power and ground at the LDP connector, Passing a bench test with the pump (inflating a balloon), Passing the LDP internal resistance (Ohm) test
  ✅ What actually fixed it For one user in the thread, the ultimate cause was a failed vacuum check valve located at the top of the main vacuum pump. This prevented the LDP from getting the engine vacuum it needs to operate, even though the LDP itself was good. Replacing this cheap check valve resolved the issue.

"I Checked Everything" — The Actual Cause

• Because P2402 is an electrical circuit code, a smoke test (which checks for physical leaks) will almost always be clean. The true fault lies in the electrical components. In one documented case, even after the pump and wiring were checked, the code persisted. The actual cause was a lack of vacuum *supply* to the LDP due to a separate, failed check valve near the engine's main vacuum pump. The LDP needs this vacuum to actuate; without it, the pump cannot complete its cycle and the ECM flags a fault, even though there are no EVAP system leaks and the LDP's electrical components are technically functional.

When the Usual Fixes Don't Work

• While replacing the Leak Detection Pump is the most common fix for P2402, it is not a guaranteed solution. Forum records show instances where owners have replaced the pump multiple times with no success. In these cases, the fault was deeper in the system. One successful diagnosis required tracing the issue to a lack of vacuum supply from a failed check valve, a completely separate and often overlooked component. Another required tracing wiring continuity from the pump all the way back to specific pins on the ECM. This demonstrates that if a new pump does not resolve the code, a more advanced diagnosis of the wiring harness and supporting systems (power and vacuum) is required before condemning the ECM.

OEM Part Supersession History

• 7L0-906-243 → 7L0-906-243-A — Standard part revision by the manufacturer.
  Heads up: The -A revision replaces the non-lettered version. While other LDP and pressure sensor part numbers exist for the VW/Audi group (e.g., 5Q0-906-253-D), parts catalogs confirm 7L0-906-243-A is specified for the 2022 Arteon.