What it means
The fuel injection pump control system reports a generic fault on metering channel C (cam, rotor, or injector path). Fuel delivery to the affected channel cannot be regulated as expected.
At a glance
- Usually lights the check-engine light
- Affects emissions; the car can fail an emissions test
- The engine or gearbox may go into limp mode
How it works
The injection pump's channel C metering control regulates fuel delivery through the channel identified by the vehicle design, which may involve a cam, rotor, or injector path. The ECM sets this code when it detects a general fault in that channel's control circuit or operation, without specifying a low, high, or range fault.
Common causes
Most likely first.
- Metering element drift with wear
- Wiring or connector fault
Symptoms
- Check-engine light
- Hard starting or stalling
- Reduced power
How to diagnose it
- Record freeze-frame data and scan for related fuel-pressure, pump, and injector codes to see whether the channel C fault occurred during starting, idle, or load.
- Inspect the channel C pump connector and harness for loose pins, corrosion, chafing, or fuel and oil contamination.
- Check channel C power, ground, and control wiring for opens or shorts using the vehicle wiring diagram.
- Use live data and the manufacturer's test procedure to compare commanded and actual channel C metering behavior.
- If wiring is sound, test the channel C metering element and relevant pump operation to separate an electrical fault from internal wear.
Common fixes
- Reconnect the channel C connector and repair damaged wiring.
- Clean or repair corroded terminals and restore power or ground connections.
- Replace a faulty channel C metering element if confirmed by testing.
- Repair or replace the injection pump if internal channel C wear or control failure is confirmed.
Can I keep driving?
Avoid driving if the engine stalls, loses substantial power, or enters reduced-power mode; an unexpected stall can be hazardous. If it runs steadily, limit use and arrange prompt diagnosis because fuel delivery may worsen.
A code shows where the control module detected a fault, not always which part failed. Check the causes in order and confirm with a test before replacing parts. Have several codes? Check them together
This is a generic code: it means the same on every make. The car’s maker may add more detail in its own service information.