P2261Turbocharger/Supercharger Bypass Valve A - Mechanical
- Generic OBD-II code · Powertrain
- Turns on the check-engine light
- Matters for the ITP
- Needs a drive cycle to confirm a fix
- How the car detects it
- P2261 means bypass valve A of the turbocharger or supercharger, also called the recirculation valve, does not work mechanically. When the throttle snaps shut it should let charge air flow back to the compressor inlet so the compressor does not surge. GM's 2018 tables look for a valve stuck closed in coast-down: with the valve commanded open and at least 1,200 rpm, a high-pass filtered airflow signal above 30 g/s or a filtered boost slope above 500 kPa/s reveals surge; 8 failures in 10 tests give a Type B fault. GM bulletin 16-NA-020 (2016 Encore/Malibu 1.4/1.5 L) blames a sticking valve, 23-NA-033 (2023 Equinox/Terrain) an ECM whose short-circuit detection reacted to back voltage, and Kia campaign SC230 (2022 Seltos 1.6 T-GDI) a kinked recirculation hose. A flutter or rattle on lift-off is typical.
- What you may notice
- Fluttering, chuffing or rattling noise from the turbo when lifting off the throttle
- MIL on
- Slightly delayed boost after gear changes
- Likely causes
- LikelyBypass/recirculation valve sticking closed or with a torn diaphragm
- PossibleKinked, collapsed or wrongly routed recirculation or control hose
- PossibleElectrical fault at the valve solenoid or its connector that prevents opening
- RareEngine control module output reacting wrongly (software or hardware)
- Inspection (ITP)
- Matters for the ITP. While the check-engine light is on, the car fails the emissions check.
- Repair
- Medium · Often possible to do yourself.Typical cost: €40 – €900
- Related codes
Explanation from obdex (CC0), exactly as the app shows it. Guidance only; confirm with a workshop.