P0253: Injection Pump Fuel Metering Control A Low (Cam/Rotor/Injector)

These codes cover the electrically controlled fuel metering actuator on a diesel injection pump – on common rail usually an inlet metering valve on the high-pressure pump that sets how much fuel is compressed. P0253 means the actuator A circuit reads low. Saab's 2011 9-5 diesel uses it for a control wire shorted to ground for more than 1 s, with the warning light at once. Saab's 3.0 V6 diesel, whose pump has two metering valves, also includes an open circuit (over 2.1 s) and goes into limp mode: limited pedal response and injection quantity, rail pressure capped at 60 MPa, warning light if the fault recurs on the next trip. Ford's equivalent is P0003, GM's P0091.

Medium severity. Can I keep driving?Drive as little as possible and go to a repair shop. If you smell fuel or the engine is shaking badly, do not keep driving.

Symptoms

Check engine light on
Limp mode with limited power and speed
Hard starting possible

Most likely causes

Control wire to the metering actuator chafed to ground
Connector or wire open (where makers include it under low)
Metering actuator faulty internally
Engine module faulty

What to check, in order

Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.

Check the connector and wiring of the injector indicated
With the connector unplugged, check whether the signal wire is making contact with ground.
Measure the resistance and compare it with the manufacturer's specification
Check the control signal with an oscilloscope; on direct injection or diesel engines, leave this to a repair shop because of the high voltages
On diesels, check the per-cylinder injection corrections

Good to know

Repair difficulty: medium
It can trigger limp mode.
It affects emissions.

What each character of P0253 means

P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
0: Generic code: same on every make
2: Fuel injection
53: Specific fault in that system

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep driving with code P0253?

Drive as little as possible and go to a repair shop. If you smell fuel or the engine is shaking badly, do not keep driving.

What causes code P0253?

The most common causes are: control wire to the metering actuator chafed to ground; connector or wire open (where makers include it under low); metering actuator faulty internally.

Related codes

Sources

Values and procedures vary by manufacturer. If it affects brakes, steering, fuel or high voltage, see a professional. Updated: 2026-11-04. How we build these pages.