Can you keep driving?
Can you keep driving?
Stop driving if any of these apply
- !The vehicle suddenly runs much worse, loses power sharply, or the check-engine light starts flashing.
- !There is a strong smell, smoke, overheating, or any symptom that suggests a real-time safety problem rather than a stored code alone.
What to check first
Step-by-step checks
- 1
Safety first
Let the engine cool before touching turbo, exhaust, or charge-air parts
- 2
Free - no tools
Inspect the secondary solenoid connector and wiring for damage, corrosion, or a backed-out terminal
- 3
Basic tool needed
Check whether the fault appears together with limp mode or low-boost symptoms
- 4
Basic tool needed
Look for a leak or routing issue in the secondary vacuum line set
- 5
Basic tool needed
If scan data is available, compare the requested and actual response of the secondary circuit
- 6
Basic tool needed
Confirm that the feed and ground to the secondary valve are present before replacing parts
If the code returns
- -If the circuit is shorted, repair the wiring and then retest.
- -If the secondary solenoid is electrically okay but still weak, replacement is more likely.
- -If the boost response stays low, verify actuator movement and vacuum supply together.
Background
What this code means
P0250 is a generic OBD-II code for a low-input secondary boost control circuit.
The ECU is seeing a signal that is lower than expected on the alternate boost path. In practice that usually comes back to wiring, a weak valve, or a control hose problem on the secondary circuit.
Diagnosis
Common causes
Short-to-ground in the secondary circuit
Damage to the wire or connector can pull the signal low.
Weak secondary boost solenoid
The valve may draw too much current or fail to switch correctly.
Vacuum line leak or routing error
A leak can stop the secondary path from affecting boost properly.
Connector or terminal corrosion
Poor electrical contact can create a low-reading fault.
Avoid these mistakes
What not to do
- xDo not replace the turbo first if the secondary circuit fault is obvious.
- xDo not ignore a damaged connector or fuse feed just because the solenoid is named in the code.
Parts
Parts that may need replacing
See also
Related OBD codes
Source notes
Generic OBD-II (SAE J1979 / ISO 15031-5). P0250 was seeded from dtcdb and then expanded around low secondary boost control circuit faults, especially shorts-to-ground and power-feed issues.
This guide is written as a generic multi-make reference, so bulletin history, sensor locations, and repair order can still change by manufacturer and engine family.
This is generic OBD-II guidance and should not override vehicle-specific service information. Exact diagnosis and repair steps vary by make, engine family, and model year.
Last reviewed: 2026-04-10
Reference: Open reference