P0252

Injection Pump Fuel Metering Control A Range/Performance (Cam/Rotor/Injector)

Q: Is it safe to drive with P0252?

Not for regular use — fuel delivery is unreliable and the engine may stall or refuse to restart. Have it diagnosed first.

Q: Can I just clear P0252?

It will return until the metering-control fault is fixed. Clearing only shows whether the problem is still active.

Diesel fuel injection Generic OBD-II High

What it means

P0252 is a diesel code meaning the "A" fuel-metering control in the injection pump isn't delivering fuel within its expected range. Because it governs how much fuel the pump meters out, a fault shows up as low power, hard starting, rough running, and sometimes stalling. Look first at the metering-control valve and its wiring, then fuel supply and the pump itself.

High

Can I keep driving? Limited — fuel metering is off, so expect low power and possible hard starting or stalling; get it diagnosed before relying on the vehicle.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

scans in the past year

Found in

<0.1%

of scans

<0.1%

of scans that found faults

Figures reflect only diagnostic scans recorded through our own apps and tools. Cars are typically scanned because a symptom or warning light prompted it, so these counts describe our scan records — not the incidence of faults in any model, and not the quality, reliability, or safety of any vehicle. No comparison between manufacturers or models is implied. All trademarks belong to their respective owners; no affiliation or endorsement is implied.

Common symptoms

What you'll notice

Check-engine light on
Hard starting or extended cranking
Reduced power and poor acceleration
Rough running or stalling
Poor fuel economy or excess smoke

Common causes

Most likely first

Faulty injection-pump fuel-metering control valve/solenoid ('A')Likely
Open, shorted, or corroded wiring and connectors in the metering-control circuitCommon
Low fuel supply or a restricted fuel filter feeding the pumpCommon
Worn or failing injection pump internals (cam/rotor)Less often
Failed ECM (rare — verify the circuit and pump first)Less often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Scan and read freeze-frame data to capture the conditions when the code set.
Inspect the metering-control valve connector and wiring for opens, shorts, and corrosion.
Check fuel supply and filter condition, and verify supply pressure to the pump.
Test the metering control valve/solenoid resistance and operation against spec.
If the circuit and supply are good, have the injection pump inspected. Clear and re-test.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0252?+

Not for regular use — fuel delivery is unreliable and the engine may stall or refuse to restart. Have it diagnosed first.

Can I just clear P0252?+

It will return until the metering-control fault is fixed. Clearing only shows whether the problem is still active.

Read & clear P0252 yourself

Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.

▶ Get it on Google Play

✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX