OBD-II trouble code
P0044: HO2S Heater Control Circuit High (Bank 1, Sensor 3)
SAE J2012: heater control circuit high, bank 1 sensor 3. The 2014 Golf specification book marks the P0044 row CBUA only. High still gets the short-to-ground check, because a low-side circuit can be shorted either way.
Quick facts
- System
- Powertrain
- Category
- Oxygen Sensor
- Severity
- Medium severity
- Drivable
- Usually safe to drive short-term
- Repair cost range
- $300 – $580 (oxygen sensor replacement, parts and labor)
- DIY difficulty
- Intermediate DIY
Browse every code in P0001–P0099, or start from the full code library.
What does P0044 mean?
SAE J2012 APR2002 names P0044 HO2S Heater Control Circuit High, Bank 1 Sensor 3. Circuit high is measured with the circuit connected and means the characteristic is above the normal range. Sensor 3 is the third sensor in airflow order on bank 1, the bank with cylinder 1.
The 2014 Golf, GTI, and Golf R Quick Reference Specification Book (NHTSA MC-10122269) prints, in the CBTA and CBUA engine section: P0044 O2 Sensor Heater Control Circuit Bank 1 Sensor 3 High (CBUA ONLY). The same page's P0042 and P0043 rows are the circuit and low companions, also tied to CBUA in that extract. No current or voltage threshold from the neighboring cells is used. Those cells did not stay aligned in the text extract.
A high result on a heater control wire can be a short to battery, or an open that lets a pull-up sit high, depending on how this module measures the pin. The CBUA row says "high." It does not, in the line that was read, say "short to B+." The CCTA section of the same book uses "short to B+" for P0032 and P0038, which are different sensors. Do not paste the CCTA wording onto CBUA sensor 3.
Engines without a third sensor do not get this repair. Ordering "the rear oxygen sensor" without counting from the manifold is how sensor 2 gets replaced for a sensor 3 code.
Common causes
- Heater control above its normal range on bank 1 sensor 3
- On 2014 Golf engine code CBUA, the high row that book limits to CBUA
- A short to power in the control wire, called only after the module is disconnected and the wire fails this chart's disconnected-circuit check
- An open control circuit, if this chart's high test is the pull-up staying up
- Sensor 2 replaced because the count of sensors started at the bumper
- CCTA "short to B+" language used on a CBUA sensor 3 code
Symptoms
- Check engine light with P0044
- Sensor 3 heater voltage high in the PID this chart uses
- The rear connector unplugged or full of water, when the diagram puts sensor 3 there
- P0043 not stored, which is not a reason to skip the short-to-ground check
- A new sensor that does not clear the code because B+ is still on the harness side
- No CBUA engine code, on a Golf that should be using a different section of the book
Diagnostic steps
- 1.Verify engine code CBUA before using the 2014 Golf row. The book marks P0044 CBUA only. Other engines: use their sensor 3 heater-high test, or stop if they have no sensor 3.
- 2.Count to the third sensor on bank 1. Ignition off. Unplug it. Lift or stands, exhaust cool, if the connector is under the body.
- 3.Ignition on, engine off, sensor unplugged. Compare the control-circuit reading with the disconnected-circuit result this chart prints. On a driver with an internal pull-up the pin can sit high with the harness intact.
- 4.Ignition off, module connector off. Check that wire for a short to power and for a short to ground before calling a remaining high a harness short. Then measure the heater on the sensor against this procedure's spec only. There is no spec printed on this page.
- 5.Repair the harness if the fault is on the harness side of the unplugged connector. Replace sensor 3 if the fault is on the sensor side and the wire is clean.
- 6.Clear P0044 and complete the monitor. Do not install a converter because the sensor is the rearmost one on the example drawing.
Repair cost
$300 – $580 (oxygen sensor replacement, parts and labor)
RepairPal's oxygen-sensor replacement, not a sensor-3 surcharge. Updated 3 September 2026. Average $440–$523, of which labor is $93–$136 and parts are $347–$387. Honda Accord example $483–$529. Toyota Corolla example $500–$570. Honda CR-V example $501–$578. Chevrolet Silverado 1500 example $306–$407. The printed $300–$580 span is that set. A shorted harness is not in it. Taxes and fees are not in RepairPal's figures.
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DIY vs shop
This is an intermediate DIY job. It usually involves diagnostic steps, specialty parts, and some careful work in tight spaces. If you have the tools and a service manual or trustworthy video for your specific vehicle, it is achievable in a weekend. Otherwise, a competent independent shop will be faster.