P0230 means Fuel Pump Primary Circuit. The computer has detected a fault in the fuel pump control circuit, such as the relay or pump driver circuit. It is a generic OBD-II code, so the definition is the same on any make, but the most likely cause varies by engine; confirm with a scan tool and the service information for your vehicle before buying parts.
What P0230 means
Modern engines measure boost and fuel rail pressure and compare them with a desired value calculated from engine speed, load and throttle. When actual pressure falls short of desired for long enough, the computer sets a code and often reduces power to protect the engine. Watching desired and actual values side by side on a scan tool shows whether the shortfall is constant or only appears under load.
P0230 symptoms
- Cranks but will not start
- Stalling
- Fuel pump not priming when the key turns on
Common causes of P0230
- Failed fuel pump relay or fuse
- Wiring or connector damage
- Fuel pump control module faults on some vehicles
- Failed pump
How to diagnose P0230
- Listen for the pump priming with the key on
- Check the fuel pump fuse and relay
- Check voltage at the pump connector
Can you drive with P0230?
Not reliably; the engine can stall or fail to start.
P0230 tips
If the pump does not prime when the key turns on, check the fuse and relay before replacing the pump. Swapping the fuel pump relay with an identical relay in the fuse box is a quick test.
Will P0230 clear itself?
If the fault stops, the computer turns off the check engine light by itself after several drive cycles without seeing it again, and the code stays in memory as history for a while. Clearing P0230 with a scan tool after a repair is fine, but if the cause is still there the code returns, sometimes within one drive. Disconnecting the battery also clears codes on most vehicles, but it erases learned fuel trims and idle settings as well.
Related codes
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| P0087 | Fuel Rail/System Pressure Too Low |
| P0171 | System Too Lean (Bank 1) |
| P0191 | Fuel Rail Pressure Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance |
Guides that help
When it is more than a sensor
Our superchargers page lists supercharger kits, and diesel owners can read the 6.7 Cummins turbo guide. If a failed turbo or fuel pump has damaged the engine, compare engines by code on our engines page.
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