Injection Pump Fuel Metering Control A Intermittent (Diesel)
The P0255 code means the vehicle's onboard diagnostic system has detected: Injection Pump Fuel Metering Control A Intermittent (Diesel). This is a critical severity code.
- Keep driving?
- No — stop driving
- DIY difficulty
- hard
- Estimated cost
- $200 - $800 (parts and labor)
Best-selling code reader on Amazon. Reads and clears check engine codes on any 1996+ vehicle. Under $30.
Essential for diagnosing sensor codes, checking voltage, and testing circuits. Under $15 and pays for itself on the first job.
Affiliate links — we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Common Symptoms
- Check Engine Light on
- Engine surges or hunts at idle
- Intermittent power loss
- Fuel rail pressure fluctuates erratically
Probable Causes (Ranked by Likelihood)
- Loose connector at fuel metering valve Very High
- Intermittent wire break in metering valve circuit High
- Failing metering valve with intermittent coil Moderate
- Fuel contamination causing sticking valve Low
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the engine surge with P0255?
An intermittent metering valve connection causes fuel delivery to fluctuate, making the engine speed rise and fall as fuel pressure changes.
Can bad fuel cause P0255?
Yes, contaminated fuel with water or debris can cause the metering valve to stick intermittently, triggering this code.
Is P0255 an emergency?
Yes, intermittent fuel metering can cause dangerous pressure spikes. Have the vehicle towed for repair.
Mechanics Guide Step-by-step diagnosis
Step-by-Step Diagnostic Procedure
-
Monitor fuel rail pressure and metering valve duty cycle on scan tool. Look for erratic fluctuations.
-
Wiggle test on metering valve connector while monitoring. Signal dropout confirms connector fault.
-
Check wiring at vibration and heat stress points.
-
Inspect fuel quality and filter condition.
Sources 2
This page is built from documented references. Verify against your own service info before repair work.
- SAE J2012Diagnostic Trouble Code Definitions (defines the generic OBD-II code ranges)
- Cross-checked against the SAE J2012:2002 DTC table (2026-08-27)archived scan of the SAE standard — readable copy, not SAE’s current edition
Commonly Affected Vehicles
- 2010-2020 Ford F-250 (6.7L Diesel)
- 2012-2019 Ram 2500 (6.7L Cummins)
- 2008-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 (6.6L Duramax)
- 2011-2020 Nissan Titan XD (5.0L Diesel)
Related Codes
Explore More
Was this helpful?
Send this to whoever is fixing the car — your mechanic, or the person asking what the light means.