P2381: EGR Sensor D Circuit High

P2381 means the signal of EGR sensor D is stuck at the top of its electrical range. GM's 2025 diesel ECM tables use it for the differential pressure sensor of the low-pressure EGR loop: if the raw voltage exceeds 99.83 % of the scale in 480 out of 600 samples, taken every 6.25 ms after cranking and with the powertrain relay above 11 V, GM records a Type A fault, lighting the MIL in the first trip. Typical reasons are an open sensor ground or a signal wire touching a 5 V or battery feed. GM bulletin 21-NA-149 for 3.0L LM2 trucks (Silverado, Sierra, Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, Escalade) lists P2381 among codes that chafed engine harnesses can trigger. P2382 is the opposite limit and P2383 the plausibility check of the same sensor. The low-pressure EGR is usually shut off.

Medium severity. Can I keep driving?You can normally drive in moderation, but get it repaired soon: if the valve is stuck open, the engine may idle very poorly.

Symptoms

Check engine light on immediately
Low-pressure EGR disabled, NOx emissions rise
Other harness-related codes possible at the same time

Most likely causes

Open sensor ground or reference return
Chafed engine harness shorting the signal to a supply (GM 21-NA-149)
Differential pressure sensor failed with output at full scale

What to check, in order

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

Check the connector and any vacuum hoses
Check the sensor's ground and make sure the signal wire is not receiving voltage from another circuit.
Use live data to compare the commanded opening with the actual opening
Clean the valve and passages if they are clogged with carbon
Test the actuator with the scanner
Replace the valve if it still does not follow the command after cleaning

Good to know

Repair difficulty: medium
It affects emissions.

What each character of P2381 means

P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
2: Generic code: same on every make
3: Ignition and misfires
81: Specific fault in that system

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep driving with code P2381?

You can normally drive in moderation, but get it repaired soon: if the valve is stuck open, the engine may idle very poorly.

What causes code P2381?

The most common causes are: open sensor ground or reference return; chafed engine harness shorting the signal to a supply (GM 21-NA-149); differential pressure sensor failed with output at full scale.

Related codes

Sources

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.