P254F concerns the circuit of the hood switch, which tells the control units whether the engine hood is open. Engines that can start on their own, such as in hybrids or stop/start systems, need this to block an automatic start while someone works under the hood. GM documents the code in the ECM section of its 2012 table 12OBDG06 for the two-mode hybrid Tahoe, Yukon, Escalade, Sierra and Silverado: the engine module reads two hood switch states, checks every 25 ms with run/crank voltage between 11 and 32 V, and sets the fault after 0.5 s as Type B, two trips. GM's later 2017 table 17OBDG04 moved this kind of switch-versus-switch plausibility to P257D, which matches the J2012 range/performance wording. A broken switch or wiring can disable auto-start and raise a warning.
Medium severity. Can I keep driving?If the car is running normally, drive in moderation to a repair shop. If it loses power or another warning appears, do not continue.
Symptoms
- Check engine light after two trips (GM Type B)
- Auto-stop or hybrid engine start disabled
- Hood-open warning while the hood is closed
Most likely causes
- Hood switch dirty, corroded or misadjusted
- Damaged wiring or connector at the hood latch
- Bent hood latch after a front-end repair
What to check, in order
Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.
Good to know
- Repair difficulty: easy
- It affects emissions.
What each character of P254F means
- P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
- 2: Generic code: same on every make
- 5: Speed and idle
- 4F: Specific fault in that system
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep driving with code P254F?
If the car is running normally, drive in moderation to a repair shop. If it loses power or another warning appears, do not continue.
What causes code P254F?
The most common causes are: hood switch dirty, corroded or misadjusted; damaged wiring or connector at the hood latch; bent hood latch after a front-end repair.
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.