P2296: Fuel Pressure Regulator B Control Circuit High

P2296 is set when the control line of fuel pressure regulator B has contact with supply voltage. GM's 2018 diesel ECM checks this with its low-side driver switched on: if the line still shows a voltage equivalent to 0.5 Ω or less towards power, the sample fails, again with 44 of 88 samples and Type B. VW's 2014 Passat quick reference uses a signal voltage above 3.20 V and groups an open line with a battery-voltage short here. In that state the driver cannot pull the valve current through, so the valve stays unpowered and the ECM loses its means of holding the intended rail pressure; hard starting and reduced power follow. Look for the harness rubbing on a battery feed and for a damaged valve connector.

Symptoms

• Check engine light
• Hard starting or stalling
• Reduced power

Most likely causes

• Control wire shorted to a voltage supply
• Damaged or corroded regulator connector
• Faulty output driver in the engine control module

What to check, in order

Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.

1. Check the pump's fuse, relay, and connector
2. Check the sensor's ground and make sure the signal wire is not receiving voltage from another circuit.
3. Replace the filter if it is due for maintenance
4. Compare commanded and actual pressure in live data
5. Measure the pressure with a suitable gauge
6. Check the sensor and regulator before replacing the pump

Good to know

• Repair difficulty: medium
• It can trigger limp mode.
• It affects emissions.

What each character of P2296 means

• P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
• 2: Generic code: same on every make
• 2: Fuel injection
• 96: Specific fault in that system

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep driving with code P2296?

Avoid long trips and hard acceleration. If you smell fuel or the car stalls, do not continue.

What causes code P2296?

The most common causes are: control wire shorted to a voltage supply; damaged or corroded regulator connector; faulty output driver in the engine control module.

Related codes

• P2295Fuel Pressure Regulator B Control Circuit Low
• P2294Fuel Pressure Regulator B Control Circuit/Open
• P2293Fuel Pressure Regulator B Performance
• P0092Fuel Pressure Regulator A Control Circuit High

Sources

• gsi.ext.gm.com: 18OBDG04 Engine Diagnostics
• static.nhtsa.gov: MC 10074004 2280
• law.cornell.edu: 13 CCR 1968.2

Values and procedures vary by manufacturer. If it affects brakes, steering, fuel or high voltage, see a professional. Updated: 2026-11-04. How we build these pages.