P2653 points to a voltage that is too low on the control line of rocker arm solenoid B, bank 1. On a solenoid switched from the supply side, a line rubbing against the engine block or a shorted coil pulls the signal down while the output is active; the controller's driver then reports an overcurrent or a low-voltage state. No manufacturer documents this code publicly. For actuator A, GM's 15OBDG05 runs the same kind of driver diagnosis on its 2015 four-cylinders above 11 V, with a fault after 100 of 120 samples and the MIL on at once. CARB treats such shorts as circuit faults that every lift system output must detect. Many drivers shut down to protect themselves, so the B stage drops out. P2650 covers an open, P2654 a short to power.
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.
Bank 1 is the side of the engine with cylinder 1. Inline engines only have this bank.
Symptoms
- MIL on soon after the fault appears
- B stage switched off, reduced power or economy
Most likely causes
- Control wire of solenoid B shorted to engine ground
- Shorted turns inside the solenoid B coil
- Engine oil inside the connector creating a leakage path
What to check, in order
Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.
Good to know
- Repair difficulty: medium
- It can trigger limp mode.
- It affects emissions.
What each character of P2653 means
- P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
- 2: Generic code: same on every make
- 6: Control modules and outputs
- 53: Specific fault in that system
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep driving with code P2653?
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 P2653?
The most common causes are: control wire of solenoid B shorted to engine ground; shorted turns inside the solenoid B coil; engine oil inside the connector creating a leakage path.
Related codes
- P2650"B" Rocker Arm Actuator Control Circuit/Open (Bank 1)
- P2654"B" Rocker Arm Actuator Control Circuit High (Bank 1)
- P2648"A" Rocker Arm Actuator Control Circuit Low (Bank 1)
- P2663"B" Rocker Arm Actuator Control Circuit Low (Bank 2)
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.