Powertrain, generic · Fuel and air metering (injector circuit)

P0230 Fuel Pump Primary Circuit

Check engine lightOn
EmissionsRelevant
Drive cycleRequired
Limp modeNo

The fuel pump circuit has two sides: the primary circuit is the engine module's output to the fuel pump relay coil (or to a pump control module), the secondary circuit is the power circuit from relay contact or module to the pump itself. P0230 concerns the primary side. GM's output driver compares the commanded with the actual state of the relay control circuit and sets the code at 8 of 10 mismatches, after two trips; Ford checks for open or short circuits for 2–5 s. With a failed relay control the pump stays off and the engine will not start or dies; a short to voltage keeps the pump running and drains the battery. On Ford systems with a pump control module the code means its power relay circuit; on the Subaru-based Saab 9-2X it is the pump module's collective fault report.

Likely causes

Fuel pump relay faulty (coil open or shorted)
Control wire from module to relay open or shorted to ground or voltage
Relay supply, ground or fuse missing
With a pump control module: its supply, ground or the module itself
Engine module driver faulty

Symptoms

  • Engine cranks but does not start
  • Engine stalls while driving
  • Check engine light on
  • No pump prime noise at ignition on; with a short to voltage the pump runs on and drains the battery

Repair estimate

DifficultyEasyDIY possible
Parts and labour€15–350
Time0.3–2 h

Typical range across vehicles; the real cost depends on what the testing finds.

What to check first

  1. Check the fuel pump fuse and relay
  2. Listen for the pump at key-on
  3. Check wiring to the pump

Parts involved

fuel pump relayfuel pump control modulefuel pump wiring

Related codes

P0231P0232P0233P023FP0628P0629

References: law.cornell.edu, gsi.ext.gm.com, gsi.ext.gm.com, fordservicecontent.com.