What Does P0249 Mean?
The turbocharger wastegate solenoid B circuit is reading low, indicating a low voltage condition in the solenoid B control circuit. The ECM cannot properly drive the wastegate solenoid to regulate boost pressure from the secondary turbocharger. The driver may notice poor boost control, underboost conditions at higher RPMs, or limp mode.
Common Causes
30%
Wastegate solenoid B coil shorted to ground internally
30%
Short to ground in the solenoid B control wiring
20%
Heat-damaged wiring insulation near the secondary turbocharger
15%
Corroded connector with low-resistance path to ground
5%
ECM internal driver circuit pulling the line low
Diagnostic Steps
1
Disconnect the wastegate solenoid B connector. If the code changes to an open circuit code, the short is in the solenoid. If it remains a low circuit code, the short is in the wiring.
2
Measure solenoid B coil resistance — it should be 10-40 ohms. A very low reading (near 0 ohms) confirms an internal coil short.
3
With the solenoid disconnected, check the control wire for short to ground — measure resistance from the wire to chassis ground. It should read OL (infinite). A low reading indicates a grounded wire.
4
Carefully inspect the wiring harness routing near the secondary turbocharger and exhaust components. Heat can melt wire insulation causing shorts. Look for melted loom, discolored wiring, or bare copper.
5
If wiring appears intact, perform a wiggle test on the harness while monitoring the circuit voltage with a multimeter — intermittent shorts will show as voltage drops when the damaged section is flexed.
Estimated Repair Cost
$80 - $500
Parts + labor, varies by vehicle and location
The turbocharger wastegate solenoid B circuit is reading low, indicating a low voltage condition in the solenoid B control circuit. The ECM cannot properly drive the wastegate solenoid to regulate boost pressure from the secondary turbocharger. The driver may notice poor boost control, underboost co...
The most common cause of P0249 (Turbocharger Wastegate Solenoid B Range/Performance) is: Wastegate solenoid B coil shorted to ground internally
Typical repair costs for P0249 range from $80 to $500, depending on the vehicle, location, and whether you do it yourself or go to a shop.
The secondary wastegate control is compromised. If the wastegate defaults open, the secondary turbo will underperform — reduced power but generally safe to drive. If the short causes the wastegate to remain closed, overboost is possible. Monitor boost levels and drive conservatively.
Start by connecting an OBD2 scanner to read the code and any freeze frame data. Then follow the diagnostic steps specific to P0249 to identify the root cause.
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Quick Info
Category
Powertrain
System
Turbocharger / Supercharger System
Difficulty
Type
Generic (SAE)
Recommended Tools
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