P0258

P0258: Injection Pump Fuel Metering Control "B" (Cam/Rotor/Injector) Low

Quick answer: P0258 means the engine computer has detected a "circuit low" fault on the diesel injection pump fuel metering control.

Driving: Can cause sudden power loss. Have it inspected before relying on the vehicle.

Read P0258 on your phone OBDAssistant reads codes and live data through a Bluetooth OBD2 adapter.

What P0258 means

P means powertrain (engine and transmission). The 0 marks a generic code defined by SAE, so the same number means the same thing across makes. The third character, 2, places it in the fuel and air metering, injector circuits subsystem; the last two digits identify the specific fault.

On diesel engines with an electronically controlled injection pump, a metering actuator (on the cam, rotor or injector, depending on design) sets how much fuel is delivered. The engine computer monitors its control circuit and position feedback.

The letter "B" distinguishes between two or more of the same component on one vehicle. Which physical part is "B" is set by the manufacturer, so confirm it in the service information before replacing anything.

What “Circuit Low” means here

"Low" means the signal or control voltage fell below the minimum the module expects. For a controlled component such as a solenoid, relay or motor, "low" means the voltage the module sees on the control circuit is lower than it should be for the commanded state — commonly a short to ground or a missing supply, depending on how the circuit is switched.

What you may notice

Symptoms depend on the vehicle and on how the module responds to the fault. Any of these can accompany P0258:

  • Hard starting
  • Loss of power or limp-home mode
  • Stalling
  • Excess smoke

Where to start diagnosing P0258

  1. Inspect pump connectors and harness for chafing and fuel contamination.
  2. Check fuel quality and filter condition; restricted supply can make the metering control appear faulty.
  3. Follow the manufacturer's procedure for pump actuator tests.

Clear the code only after recording freeze frame data: it shows the engine speed, load and temperature at the moment the fault set, which is often the best clue to reproducing it.

Live data to watch

These standard OBD2 values relate to P0258. Support varies by vehicle; a value your car does not report will simply be missing.

ValueWhat to look for
Fuel rail pressure (PID 0x23)Where supported.
Engine RPM (PID 0x0C)Idle stability.

Related codes

Codes from the same diesel injection pump fuel metering control family. If several are stored together, the shared part — wiring, a common reference voltage, or the component itself — is the place to start.

CodeDefinition
P0252Injection Pump Fuel Metering Control "A" (Cam/Rotor/Injector) Range/Performance
P0253Injection Pump Fuel Metering Control "A" (Cam/Rotor/Injector) Low
P0254Injection Pump Fuel Metering Control "A" (Cam/Rotor/Injector) High
P0255Injection Pump Fuel Metering Control "A" (Cam/Rotor/Injector) Intermittent
P0256Injection Pump Fuel Metering Control "B" (Cam/Rotor/Injector)
P0257Injection Pump Fuel Metering Control "B" (Cam/Rotor/Injector) Range/Performance
P0259Injection Pump Fuel Metering Control "B" (Cam/Rotor/Injector) High
P0260Injection Pump Fuel Metering Control "B" (Cam/Rotor/Injector) Intermittent

Further reading

Frequently Asked Questions

What does P0258 mean?

P0258 is the generic SAE J2012 code for "Injection Pump Fuel Metering Control "B" (Cam/Rotor/Injector) Low". In plain terms, it means the engine computer has detected a "circuit low" fault on the diesel injection pump fuel metering control.

Can I keep driving with P0258?

Can cause sudden power loss. Have it inspected before relying on the vehicle.

What should I check first for P0258?

Inspect pump connectors and harness for chafing and fuel contamination.

Definition source: SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6 generic DTC definitions. This is the generic meaning that applies across makes; a manufacturer can define a code more narrowly or add its own sub-codes, so confirm against the service information for your vehicle before replacing parts. Written by the OBDAssistant engineering team — see our editorial policy.