P0230: Fuel pump primary circuit malfunction
The ECU has found a fault in the circuit that switches on the fuel pump, usually the relay side. The car may not start or may cut out.
| Code | P0230 |
|---|---|
| System | Engine and transmission |
| Group | P02xx, Fuel and injectors |
| Type | Generic: it means the same on every make |
| Can you keep driving? | With care |
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.
Open the bonnetthe in-depth explanation
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 its description and whether it’s confirmed, pending or permanent.
If the engine stores it over standard OBD, with FREE you read this code with its explanation for nothing and clear it. With PRO you also read the faults of every control unit and clear them in all of them.
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 an inspection. It’s all in how to read and clear fault codes and in inspections and OBD.
Similar codes
- P022C The intercooler bypass control A gives a higher signal than normal
- P022D The turbo intercooler bypass actuator control B has an open circuit
- P022E The intercooler bypass control B gives a lower signal than normal
- P022F The intercooler bypass control B gives a higher signal than normal
- P0231 Fuel pump secondary circuit low
- P0232 Fuel pump secondary circuit: high signal
- P0233 The fuel pump relay circuit has an intermittent fault
- P0234 Turbocharger or supercharger A overboost
- P0200 Injector circuit malfunction
- P0201 Injector circuit malfunction, cylinder 1
- P0202 Injector circuit malfunction, cylinder 2
- P0203 Injector circuit malfunction, cylinder 3
To understand it properly
We explain how that system works, with drawings and no waffle, in our mechanics guide: Fuel.
What does code P0230 mean?
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.
Can you drive with P0230?
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 do you clear P0230?
With an OBD2 scanner and an app like Final OBD, which clears it for free if it’s stored by the engine control unit. But clearing it only turns the light off: if the cause isn’t fixed, P0230 comes back.
Read it on your car
Final OBD reads and clears engine faults through standard OBD for free, each one explained in plain English. With PRO it also reads the faults of every control unit, each make’s own codes included, and clears them in all of them.
