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P20BA Code on 6.7 Powerstroke: Meaning & How To Fix

The Powerstroke engine is a workhorse, and if you own a 6.7L (1.77 gallons) Powerstroke, you know how reliable and durable it can be.

Unfortunately, like any other major automotive component, the Powerstroke engine is also prone to issues.

If you have a P20BA error code on your 6.7 Powerstroke, what does it mean, and how can you fix it?

A P20BA code on 6.7 Powerstroke means the reductant heater control circuit isn’t working correctly, or there may be a problem with the control circuit. The control circuit can be repaired or replaced in most cases without affecting other engine components. 

You can try several things before consulting a mechanic to fix the P20BA code on 6.7 Powerstroke.

Let’s look at what P20BA Code on 6.7 Powerstroke means and how to fix it yourself without taking your truck into the shop.

What Does a P20BA Code on a 6.7 Powerstroke Mean?

P20BA is a generic term to describe problems with certain parts or systems in your vehicle’s engine that can lead to reduced performance, stalling, and/or other issues such as poor fuel economy or emissions.

P20BA is the code displayed when you have an issue with the powertrain control module (PCM), and your 6.7 Powerstroke has an issue with the reductant heater “A” control circuit.

The reductant heater provides heat to the exhaust gas flow so it can be cooled before it enters the turbine. The P20BA code may appear on the control panel if the reductant heater doesn’t perform as required or needs more power to operate properly.

This could indicate an issue with one of these components:

  • Battery temperature sensor (BTS)
  • Thermal switch and bypass valve
  • Cooled air pressure switch

Have you encountered the P04DB Code on 6.7 Powerstroke? Here’s a comprehensive guide on its meaning and how to fix it. 

Symptoms of P20BA Code on 6.7 Powerstroke

If you have a P20BA code on your 6.7 Powerstroke, it can be caused by various issues . Symptoms include:

  • The engine idles roughly, hesitates, or stalls when accelerating. This can be caused by a diesel particulate filter (DPF) regeneration problem.
  • The check engine light is illuminated with a P20BA code, indicating that the DPF regeneration process isn’t working correctly.
  • The Check Engine Light will illuminate if you’re experiencing rough idling, hesitation, or stalling issues when accelerating.

5 Possible Causes of P20BA Code on 6.7 Powerstroke

There are various causes for the P20BA code on 6.7 Powerstroke, which include:

1. Defective Reductant Heater

The first cause of the P20BA code is a damaged reductant heater. A reductant heater is a component that controls the diesel fuel’s temperature to prevent freezing during cold weather conditions. 

It uses heat from the exhaust gas to warm up the fuel before entering your engine’s combustion chamber.

If this heater fails, your fuel will freeze and cause other problems downstream in your engine. These issues can include poor performance or an engine stall due to reduced airflow. 

2. Issues With Redundant Heater Harness

Another possible cause is a shorted heater harness. This can occur when there’s a loose connection on one of the heater wires. In addition, the wires can be damaged due to corrosion or wear and tear over time.

The heater harness connects the electrical components in your truck, including the fuel pump and alternator. When this part is damaged or contaminated, it can cause several problems with your vehicle.

If you recently replaced your heater core because it was leaking coolant, you may have damaged your old one while removing it.

Now that it’s been repaired, but you are still getting a P20BA Code on your dashboard, it’s time to troubleshoot other potential causes for this error code.

3. Faulty Heater Circuit

You may see P20BA Code on a 6.7 Powerstroke due to a redundant heater circuit or poor electrical connection. The heater circuit can be affected by several things, but it’s usually one or more resistors and/or bulbs.

This can be caused by the following:

  • A shorted resistor in the heater circuit
  • A bad connection between the heater and the circuit board

The best way to determine if this is the problem is to remove all accessories from your truck and turn on the heat with no headlights on.

If you have lights, turn them off, then turn them back on after about 5 minutes. If you don’t see any temperature change, it’s probably not your heater control unit (HCU) or wiring harness.

If you’ve replaced your heater core in the past and haven’t resolved this issue, it may be time to replace it again. The cost of replacing it will depend on how old your vehicle is and how badly damaged it is. 

In some cases, you may be able to repair it yourself by replacing parts and troubleshooting the problem with a wiring diagram.

4. Damaged Pump or Sensor Assembly

The P20BA code is set by your car’s engine control module (ECM). This can be caused by a faulty redundant pump and sensor assembly in the engine compartment. If this part fails, it will affect your truck in many ways.

The pump and sensor assembly are responsible for maintaining the fuel pressure in your vehicle’s fuel system. When this part fails, it prevents water from entering your fuel tank, causing it to rust badly over time.

This can lead to other problems like poor performance, poor mileage, and even an accident due to lack of fuel.

5. Issues With the Control Module

The final reason for P20BA Code on a 6.7 Powerstroke is a faulty redundant control module. This is a very common issue with the 6.7 Powerstroke engine, especially when it’s had more than a few years of use. 

The PCM can detect faults in the system and compensate for them, but if it doesn’t detect the fault itself, you’ll see a P20BA Code on 6.7 Powerstroke.

The PCM is one of the most important parts of your vehicle. It manages everything from how much fuel you use to how fast you accelerate or slow down. It also monitors air pressure and temperature to keep your vehicle running as smoothly as possible. 

Still, unfortunately, this can cause problems sometimes too. Notice that your engine isn’t getting enough fuel or won’t respond properly. In this case, there could be an issue with your PCM, which means replacing it will fix the problem. 

Diagnosing P20BA Code on 6.7 Powerstroke

If you encounter this problem, the best way to fix it is to use repair manuals and databases. These resources will help you find out how to fix the problem and are a great way to diagnose the error.

First, you’ll need a good understanding of the basics of vehicle mechanics. This includes knowing how your car’s systems work and what each one does. 

You’ll also need to know how each component works concerning other components to determine why there’s an issue with your car’s engine management system or transmission system.

How To Fix P20BA Code on 6.7 Powerstroke

Now that you know the symptoms and causes of the P20BA code on a 6.7 powerstroke engine, you can fix the issue. 

The best approach is to call an auto repair shop specializing in diagnosing and repairing automotive issues. This is the best option if you’re unfamiliar with how trouble codes work or if you don’t have any experience fixing your own vehicle. 

A professional technician can help you find exactly what’s wrong with your vehicle and recommend the best action to fix it.

If your vehicle is displaying this trouble code and you’re unsure what to do next, follow these steps:

  1. Turn your engine off and wait 10 minutes before starting your truck. This will give the computer time to reset itself.
  2. Make sure that all wires are connected firmly to their terminals. Disconnect all wiring harnesses and check for broken or frayed wiring, and use a multimeter to test each wire to ensure it’s at its proper voltage level before reconnecting them correctly.
  3. Check for fluid leaks using a dipstick or pressure gauge on each cylinder head. Make sure there are no signs of fluid leaks when looking at the head gasket or valve cover gaskets for leaks or bubbles in any oil pan or transmission drain plug area. This could be causing an internal coolant leak in your engine bay area, which could also result in other problems.
  4. Try replacing the TPS if your truck doesn’t have one already installed on the throttle body. 

The YouTube video below details P20BA Code on 6.7 Powerstroke and the possible fixes for DIYers:

Final Thoughts 

If you’re starting to get code P020BA, or you’re getting erratic idle or rough idle speeds, or if you’re having a hard time starting up the engine after shutting it off, this tutorial will point you in the right direction to solve these issues.

Knowing how to handle an issue like P20BA takes care of half the problem. If you’re experiencing a P20BA code on your 6.7 Powerstroke engine, I recommend you seek a certified Ford technician to diagnose the issue.

If it’s determined that the reductant heater isn’t working correctly, repairs will be undertaken to fix it.