Fuel and air

P0250 — Turbo Wastegate Solenoid "B" Circuit High

Severity: medium Drive with care, to a shop

What P0250 means

The ECU controls boost pressure with a wastegate (boost control) solenoid that directs vacuum or pressure to the wastegate actuator. P0250 sets when voltage in the solenoid "B" circuit is higher than expected, for example from a short to power, an open circuit, a failed solenoid or a faulty ECU driver. What "B" refers to depends on the manufacturer.

Symptoms

  • Check engine light on
  • Loss of power or weak boost
  • Sluggish acceleration or hesitation
  • Limp mode
  • Whistling or hissing from the turbo
  • Possible overboost shutdown

Possible causes

  1. Failed wastegate solenoid "B"
  2. Wiring shorted to power in the solenoid circuit
  3. Open, corroded or damaged wiring or connector
  4. Faulty wastegate actuator or regulating valve
  5. Failed ECU output driver (rare)
  6. Damaged vacuum hoses or lines (contributing)

How to diagnose

  1. Scan for codes and freeze frame data and look for other boost-related codes
  2. Inspect the solenoid connector and harness for chafing, heat damage or corrosion
  3. Check hoses and vacuum lines to the solenoid and actuator
  4. Measure solenoid coil resistance and compare with spec
  5. Check supply voltage and control signal at the connector and rule out a short to power
  6. Command the solenoid with a scan tool and confirm it responds
  7. Compare desired and actual boost in live data
  8. Check actuator movement through its full range
  9. If wiring and solenoid are good, test the ECU

Common fixes

  • Replace the wastegate solenoid "B"
  • Repair the harness or connector and clear the short to power
  • Replace damaged vacuum hoses
  • Repair or replace a sticking wastegate actuator
  • Reflash or replace the ECU if confirmed faulty

Questions and answers

What does P0250 mean?

It is an electrical fault in the wastegate solenoid "B" circuit, where the ECU sees voltage that is too high. The solenoid or its wiring is the most common culprit.

Can I drive with P0250?

Only briefly and carefully, such as to a shop. Power is usually limited, and wrong boost can harm the turbo and engine.

How do I fix P0250?

Check the connector, wiring and solenoid first, then the hoses and wastegate actuator. Most often the fix is a wiring repair or a new solenoid, and the ECU is rarely at fault.

This is general information about the code. The meaning can differ between makes and models: a scan tool and the repair manual for your car will show the exact cause.