P0254: Injection Pump Fuel Metering Control A High (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. P0254 means the actuator A circuit reads high or draws too much current – typically the control wire shorted to voltage. Saab's 2011 9-5 diesel sets it after 1 s with the warning light at once. On Saab's 3.0 V6 diesel a short to voltage of more than 0.31 s stops the engine, because a permanently energised valve can no longer control quantity and pressure. Ford's equivalent P0004 sets above 3.7 A; GM uses P0092.

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
Engine stalls or will not start (Saab 3.0 diesel)
Limp mode, loss of power

Most likely causes

Control wire shorted to voltage
Metering valve with shorted turns (overcurrent)
Connector corrosion with leakage current
Driver stage in the 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
Check the sensor's ground and make sure the signal wire is not receiving voltage from another circuit.
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 P0254 means

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

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep driving with code P0254?

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 P0254?

The most common causes are: control wire shorted to voltage; metering valve with shorted turns (overcurrent); connector corrosion with leakage current.

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.