B0281 Diagnostic Trouble Code

B0281 is a kind of OBD-II Diagnostic B-Body Diagnostic Trouble Code.

It is considered generic because it applies to all makes and models of vehicles, although specific repair steps may be different depending on your car model.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a B0281 diagnostic trouble code may include:

Poor fuel economy
Possible spark knock (detonation / pre-ignition)
Misfire
If the DPF is not cleared the ECU will revert to the "Limp Home Mode" until the situation is corrected

Possible Causes :

Fuel with a large percentage of sulfur will clog the DPF quickly
The Mass Airflow sensor will also cause this problem. Mass Airflow circuit malfunction.
A large vacuum leak would cause a massive amount of un-metered air to enter the intake manifold resulting in an overly lean mixture.

Repair Processes :

Find out what kind of system you have and verify that voltage to the fuel level sensor is present at the fuel pump wiring harness. Use the DVOM to test resistance and continuity on all system circuits if actuator and sensor resistance levels are in compliance with manufacturer's specifications.

Process Tips

Diagnostic trouble code B0281 is not difficult to diagnose and repair. Thus, it always pays to have a qualified technician to look after your vehicle should this error code arise.

Diagnosing this code requires the engine to be in good running shape, without unmetered air entering the engine. If other codes that relates to misfiring condition, lean running or air entering the engine is present, then you must first fix those error codes before B0281.

Fortunately, B0281 is a fairly common OBD code, meaning that it applies to all makes and models of vehicles made after 1996.

B0281 Trouble Code For Specific Cars

B0281 Land Rover Discovery 3 Steering EVO Out-of-Range Fault
B0281 Buick Skylark Damper High Side Rear Circuit Short To Battery
B0281 Morris Cowley Brake Pedal Input Circuit Ground Short
B0281 Toyota Retro Cruiser Park Brake Valve Solenoid #1 Sense Input Circuit Short to Gound
B0281 Mazda Mazda 5 Turbo/Super Charger Turbine Overspeed
B0281 Chrysler Sebring Iii Exhaust Gas Recirculation Flow Insufficient Detected
B0281 Mitsubishi Rvr Aux Heater Flame Sensor Circuit Short to Ground