P0254

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

Q: Is it safe to drive with P0254?

Not reliably — a diesel metering-control fault can cause poor running or a no-start and may leave you stranded. Repair it promptly.

Q: Can I just clear P0254?

It will return until the circuit or pump fault is fixed. Clearing does not restore proper fuel metering.

Fuel injection (diesel) Generic OBD-II High

What it means

P0254 means the control module sees an abnormally high signal on the 'A' fuel-metering control of the diesel injection pump. This circuit regulates how much fuel the pump delivers, so a fault can leave the engine hard to start, running rough, or down on power — it should be treated as a potential no-start until diagnosed.

High

Can I keep driving? This controls diesel fuel metering, so the engine may run poorly, lose power, or fail to start — treat it as a potential no-start and repair 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 a no-start condition
Rough running or loss of power
Reduced fuel economy or excessive smoke

Common causes

Most likely first

Short to voltage in the fuel-metering control 'A' wiring or connectorLikely
Faulty injection-pump fuel-metering control valve/actuatorCommon
Low fuel pressure or air in the fuel systemCommon
Clogged fuel filter starving the pumpLess often
Faulty injection pumpLess often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Read freeze-frame data and inspect the metering-control wiring and connector for a short to voltage or corrosion.
Check fuel supply: filter condition, lift-pump pressure, and any air intrusion.
Test the fuel-metering control valve/actuator resistance and command against spec.
Verify injection-pump output pressure where the tooling allows.
Replace the metering control valve or injection pump if confirmed faulty, then clear and re-test.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0254?+

Not reliably — a diesel metering-control fault can cause poor running or a no-start and may leave you stranded. Repair it promptly.

Can I just clear P0254?+

It will return until the circuit or pump fault is fixed. Clearing does not restore proper fuel metering.

Read & clear P0254 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