P0231 – Low Voltage Fuel Pump Secondary Circuit Low
| Code | Fault Location | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|
| P0231 | Fuel pump relay -circuit low (Buy Part On Amazon) | Wiring short to earth, fuel pump relay, ECM |
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Table of Contents
- What Does Code P0231 Mean?
- What are the common causes of code P0231 ?
- What are the symptoms of code P0231 ?
- How do you troubleshoot code P0231 ?
- Codes Related to P0231
- Get Help with P0231
What Does Code P0231 Mean?
The internal combustion engine needs three basic things to start and run: air, fuel, and spark. With regards to this DTC (diagnostic trouble code), we’ll be focusing on fuel. The fuel system includes the fuel tank, a low-pressure fuel pump, sometimes a high-pressure fuel pump, fuel tubes and hoses, a fuel pressure regulator, and the fuel injectors. The fuel pump and fuel injectors are operated electrically and electronically, so there are also fuses, relays, and a controller for these. Usually, the controller is part of the ECM (engine control module), though some vehicles, such as some diesels, may have a separate fuel injector driver module.
Usually, the fuel pump relay is commanded by the ECM. The ECM grounds the fuel pump relay control or primary circuit, which then feeds power to the fuel pump using the power or secondary circuit. On some vehicles, turning the key on will turn the pump, on for a few seconds, to prime the system. If the ECM detects crank but not engine starting, using the RPM signal from the crank position sensor, it will turn off the fuel pump after a set period.
To ensure proper fuel system function, everything needs to work in concert. If there is insufficient fuel pressure, the fuel injectors won’t be able to deliver fuel properly, for example. Insufficient fuel pressure can be caused by any number of electrical problems, one of which is poor voltage to the fuel pump. The ECM monitors the fuel pump relay secondary circuit for voltage. If voltage drops below a certain threshold, it will set DTC P0231, which is defined as “Low Voltage Fuel Pump Secondary Circuit.”
What are the common causes of code P0231 ?
Depending on year, make, and model, DTC P0231 may have number of causes. Here are some of the most common.
- Relay – If the fuel pump relay is faulty, no voltage will go to the fuel pump or monitor.
- Harness Damage – If there is damage to the harness going to the fuel pump, it can cause excessive resistance (corrosion), an open circuit (broken wire), an intermittent open circuit (partly-broken wire), or a short to ground (contacting the body or chassis).
- Feedback Circuit – If there is an open circuit or corrosion in the monitor circuit to the ECM, the ECM won’t see fuel pump operation and will command the relay “off.”
- Inertia Switch – The inertia switch opens the fuel pump circuit, in case of an accident, to prevent the fuel pump from possibly dumping fuel onto the vehicle and the ground. This is a fire-prevention measure. If the inertia switch has been activated, even by a small impact, it could interrupt power flow through the fuel pump and to the ECM monitor.
What are the symptoms of code P0231 ?
Depending on the nature of the fault and the failure mode, the MIL (malfunction indicator lamp) will illuminate, but you may or may not notice any drivability symptoms. The engine may not start, or start and then stall. Concurrent DTCs may include fuel system lean or misfire codes, if the fuel pump is not operating at full capacity.
How do you troubleshoot code P0231 ?
A circuit low voltage indicates there is a problem in the circuit, not necessarily in the sensor or actuator, in this case the fuel pump. Do not jump to replace anything unless it has been tested and found faulty. For example, replacing the fuel pump will not solve this problem unless the fuel pump is shorted internally. In this case, the ECM is expecting to see at least 10.5 V when the pump is commanded on, but isn’t. You’ll need a DMM (digital multimeter) and an EWD (electrical wiring diagram) to diagnose and repair this problem.
- Voltage Check – First, check that the battery has at least 12.6 V with the engine off and at least 13.5 V with the engine running. Correct any problems here before proceeding.
- Fuse Check – Check the fuel pump fuse. If the fuse is blown, this may indicate a short circuit somewhere in the system. Proceed with caution – simply replacing the fuse may result in another blown fuse until you repair the short circuit.
- Short Circuit Check – With the fuel pump relay removed, you should measure at least 4 Ω through the pump to ground. If you measure <4 Ω, you’ll have to find and repair the short circuit. Repeat the test with the fuel pump disconnected.
- If the short circuit persists, the short is somewhere between the relay and ground. Look for chafed wiring or poor aftermarket installations that may have caused the short-circuit.
- If you get an open circuit, >10 kΩ, the previous short circuit is in the pump. With the pump disconnected, measure resistance across the terminals. If you measure less than 4 Ω, replace the pump.
- Fuel Pump Relay Check – You can do this by swapping it with a known-good relay, such as for the wipers or headlights. Otherwise, you can bench-test it by powering the primary circuit and checking for resistance across the secondary circuit.
- If the relay swap works – you marked their original locations, right? – you can condemn the fuel pump relay.
- Short Circuit Check – With the fuel pump relay removed, you should measure at least 4 Ω through the pump to ground. If you measure <4 Ω, you’ll have to find and repair the short circuit. Repeat the test with the fuel pump disconnected.
If the relay swap doesn’t work, put the relays back in their original positions.
A General Fuel Pump Relay and Monitor Circuit
- Relay Inputs and Outputs Check – Two terminals of the fuel pump relay should have power and two of them go to ground.
- Test for resistance to ground on the secondary (fuel pump) circuit, which should measure at least 4 Ω to 6 Ω. Go back to the short circuit section above.
- The primary circuit is grounded by the ECM, so you should check for ground when you turn the key to the “On” position or try to crank the engine. If you see no ground, check for an open circuit somewhere between the relay and the ECM.
- Fuel Pump Monitor Circuit – With the ECM disconnected, check for continuity from the fuel pump relay secondary circuit to the ECM. An open circuit or excessive resistance here will fool the ECM into thinking the fuel pump isn’t getting enough voltage.
- If you measure more than 0 Ω, check for broken wires or corrosion. Repair as needed.
- Relay Inputs and Outputs Check – Two terminals of the fuel pump relay should have power and two of them go to ground.
Codes Related to P0231
- P0230 Fuel Pump Primary Circuit
- P0231 Fuel Pump Secondary Circuit Low
- P0232 Fuel Pump Secondary Circuit High
- P0233 Fuel Pump Secondary Circuit Intermittent
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I just went through a troubleshooting effort on this: my C-MAX threw P0231 on Torque Pro, and I became worried that it might fail on an upcoming trip:
I pulled the relay, and tested voltage at the rely, all good, 12-7, engine off
With the relay out, I tested Ohms to ground on the relay connection to the fuel pump about 1.7 Ohms
I then inserted my multimeter on 10 A range, across the two relay ‘switched’ pins, and turned on the ignition and the fuel pump was drawing 7.8 A. This is like putting a shorting wire there to test the pump, but with the advantage of showing the actual current.
I then took the relay to my shop, where I used a 12 V source to trigger the relay coil, and a milliohm range on a laboratory meter, with about 0.8 milliohms on the contacts, so, excellent relay.
After putting the relay back in the fuse block, I started the car, and ran Torque Pro’s DTC function, which found a ‘new’ code, for the failure when I had the relay out, and then set Torque Pro to clear ECU codes.
After clearing codes, and 2 re-starts, NO CODES !!
I believe now that the culprit was a relay socket contact, or, possibly, a loose contact in one of those massive connectors to/from the fuse box.
Hopefully these readings might be helpful to someone.
Wiring short to earth, fuel pump relay, ECM
Tom-
Usually, circuit low DTCs are caused by voltage problems. I would suspect corrosion or an internal relay problem. Check that you have at least 13 V on the alternator while running and at least 5 V reference from the ECM. Check connectors and wire harnesses for damage, particularly chafing or something could impede or bleed off voltage. Make sure connectors are free of water and corrosion.
-Ben