P0230 Fuel pump primary circuit
What P0230 means
The engine computer has detected a fault in the control circuit that switches the fuel pump on, usually through the fuel pump relay or a fuel pump control module. If the pump does not run, the engine will not start or may stall.
P0230 is a generic SAE J2012 code: it means the same on every make. The exact cause still depends on the car, so read the freeze-frame data before replacing parts.
At a glance
- Severity
- Medium
- Typical repair cost
- 50–600 €
- Workshop time
- 0.5–3 h
- Repair difficulty
- Medium
- DIY possible
- Yes
- Check engine light
- Yes
- Affects emissions test
- No
Parts and labour at an independent workshop in Europe. Main dealers charge more; the cause decides the bill, not the code.
Symptoms
- Check engine light on
- Engine cranks but does not start
- Long cranking before starting
- Stalling or cutting out while driving
Common causes
- Faulty fuel pump relay
- Blown fuel pump fuse
- Open or shorted wiring in the relay control circuit
- Faulty fuel pump control module on cars that have one
- Engine control unit relay driver fault
Can I keep driving with P0230?
If the car starts and runs normally, have it checked within one to two weeks. Because the pump can stop without warning, get it seen sooner if you notice long cranking or cutting out.
What to check first
- Listen for the fuel pump running for a couple of seconds when the ignition is switched on.
- Check the fuel pump fuse and swap the relay with an identical one to test it.
- Check the relay control wire from the engine computer for an open or short.
- On cars with a fuel pump control module, check its power, ground and connectors.
Related codes
- P0234 Turbocharger/supercharger A overboost condition
- P0235 Turbocharger/supercharger boost sensor A circuit
- P0236 Turbocharger/supercharger boost sensor A range/performance
- P0237 Turbocharger/supercharger boost sensor A circuit low
- P0238 Turbocharger/supercharger boost sensor A circuit high
- P0223 Throttle/pedal position sensor B circuit high
- P0222 Throttle/pedal position sensor B circuit low
- P0221 Throttle/pedal position sensor B range/performance
Data: TORKO fault-code catalogue, built on OBDex (CC0-1.0) and reviewed against workshop practice. Informational only — it does not replace a diagnosis by a mechanic.
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