P0230
Fuel Pump Primary Circuit
Fuel delivery
Generic OBD-II
High
What it means
P0230 means the ECM has detected a fault in the primary (control) circuit that switches the fuel pump on and off. Because this circuit powers fuel delivery, a fault can cause hard starting, stalling, or a complete no-start. The usual culprits are the pump relay, the control wiring, or the pump driver module.
High
Can I keep driving? Risky — a fault in the fuel pump control circuit can cause stalling or a no-start, so treat this as a leave-it-parked issue until diagnosed.
Common symptoms
What you'll notice
- Engine cranks but will not start
- Engine stalls or dies while driving
- Hard starting or intermittent no-start
- Reduced power or hesitation
- Check-engine light on
Common causes
Most likely first
- Failed fuel pump relayLikely
- Open, shorted, or chafed wiring in the pump control (primary) circuitCommon
- Corroded or loose connectors at the relay, pump, or driver moduleCommon
- Faulty fuel pump driver module / ECM pump driverLess often
- Failed fuel pump (secondary — the primary circuit fault comes first)Less often
How to diagnose & fix
Work through it in order
- Scan and read freeze-frame data, then confirm whether the pump primes for two seconds at key-on.
- Check the fuel pump fuse and relay; swap-test the relay with a known-good one.
- Inspect the control-circuit wiring and connectors for opens, shorts, and corrosion.
- Test for voltage and ground at the pump driver module and pump connector during cranking.
- If the circuit and driver check out, test the pump itself. Clear and re-test.
FAQ
Quick answers
Is it safe to drive with P0230?+
No — a control-circuit fault can leave you stranded when the pump cuts out. Have it diagnosed before driving.
Can I just clear P0230?+
Clearing it won't fix the circuit fault; the code returns and the car may not start until the relay, wiring, or driver is repaired.
Related codes
Often seen with P0230
Read & clear P0230 yourself
Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.
✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX