P0230: Fuel pump primary circuit malfunction

What P0230 means

The ECU does not power the pump directly: it switches a relay or a control module, and that is the primary circuit. If it detects a break or a short in that command, the pump may stop working at any time. Without the pump, the engine gets no fuel.

Most common causes

• Faulty or badly seated fuel pump relay
• Blown fuel pump fuse
• Corroded relay or pump module connector
• Broken or chafed wire between the ECU and the relay
• Faulty fuel pump control module, on cars that have one
• ECU fault (rare)

Symptoms

• Engine warning light on
• Car will not start although the starter turns
• Engine suddenly cuts out while driving
• Long cranking or occasional failure to start

Can you drive with P0230?

With care If it starts and runs fine you can drive carefully to a garage, but the engine may cut out without warning. Avoid motorways and long trips until it is checked.

How to check it

When you switch the ignition on, listen for the pump humming for a few seconds near the fuel tank; if you hear nothing, the pump is not getting power. Check the fuel pump fuse and relay in the fuse box, as shown in the owner’s manual.

How to read and clear P0230 with Final OBD

Plug an OBD2 scanner in under the steering wheel, switch the ignition on and open Final OBD. Under Faults you’ll see P0230 with this same explanation and whether it’s confirmed, pending or permanent.

With Free you read this code with its short description for nothing, and clear it if the engine stores it over standard OBD. With Pro you get the full explanation, how the car was running when it was logged (revs, temperature, load) and clearing in every control unit.

Clearing the code only turns the light off: if the cause is still there, it comes back. Clear it once it’s fixed, and not right before the ITV. It’s all in how to read and clear fault codes and in the ITV and OBD.

Similar codes

• P0220 Throttle or pedal position sensor B circuit malfunction
• P0221 Throttle or pedal position sensor B range or performance problem
• P0222 Throttle or pedal position sensor B circuit low
• P0223 Throttle or pedal position sensor B circuit high
• P0231 Fuel pump secondary circuit low
• P0232 Fuel pump secondary circuit: high signal
• P0234 Turbocharger or supercharger A overboost
• P0235 Turbo boost pressure sensor A: circuit fault
• P0200 Injector circuit malfunction
• P0201 Injector circuit malfunction, cylinder 1
• P0202 Injector circuit malfunction, cylinder 2
• P0203 Injector circuit malfunction, cylinder 3

P0230 is a generic code, so it means the same on any make, for example on Audi, Fiat, Mazda, Peugeot, Toyota, Volkswagen. See what Final OBD does on your car in makes and models.