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

P0233 Fuel Pump Secondary Circuit Intermittent

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. P0233 reports brief, recurring dropouts in the pump power circuit that count neither as steadily low nor high. The secondary circuit is the power side of the same pump, not a second pump. No manufacturer using this code was found – GM counts intermittent faults within P0231/P0232/P023F, Ford's relay systems only use P0230–P0232; the description follows CARB's output monitoring requirement and Ford's description of the power circuit. Symptoms are occasional stumbling, stalling or starting problems.

Likely causes

Loose contact at pump connector, tank flange or relay socket
Relay contacts burnt (intermittently high resistance)
Harness chafing at underbody or tank with intermittent contact
Pump motor with commutator or brush dropouts

Symptoms

  • Occasional stumbling or jerking
  • Engine stalls now and then
  • Occasional starting problems
  • Check engine light on

Repair estimate

DifficultyMediumDIY possible
Parts and labour€20–700
Time0.5–3 h

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

Parts involved

fuel pumpfuel pump relayfuel pump wiring

Related codes

P0230P0231P0232P023FP2635

References: law.cornell.edu, newtonnet.co.uk, fordservicecontent.com.