Fuel and air

P0260 — Injection Pump Fuel Metering Control "B" Circuit Intermittent

Severity: medium Drive with care, to a shop

What P0260 means

On a diesel engine, the ECU controls how much fuel the injection pump delivers through a metering solenoid or actuator. P0260 means the "B" control circuit intermittently loses or distorts its signal and then returns to normal. These glitches can make engine power inconsistent and raise emissions.

Symptoms

  • Check Engine light on
  • Rough idle, misfire or surging
  • Reduced power or hesitation
  • Worse fuel economy
  • Intermittent loss of power
  • Occasional stalling

Possible causes

  1. Intermittent break or poor contact in the injection pump metering wiring or connectors
  2. Faulty metering solenoid or actuator in the "B" circuit
  3. Faulty fuel rack position sensor or other sensor inside the pump
  4. Corroded or loose power and ground connections
  5. ECU fault or software calibration issue (uncommon)

How to diagnose

  1. Read all codes and freeze-frame data and note when the fault appears
  2. Inspect the pump harness and connector for chafing, oil, corrosion and loose pins
  3. Wiggle the harness with the engine running and watch for a code or RPM change
  4. Test power and ground at the metering solenoid with a multimeter
  5. Measure solenoid and rack position sensor resistance against specifications
  6. Check fuel pressure and fuel filter condition
  7. Review fuel trim and cylinder balance data on a scan tool
  8. If wiring is good, test the ECU and check for software updates

Common fixes

  • Repair wiring and replace damaged connectors
  • Replace the metering solenoid or actuator
  • Replace the fuel rack position sensor
  • Update or replace the ECU if a fault is confirmed

Questions and answers

What does P0260 mean?

The ECU detected an intermittent fault in the injection pump fuel metering control "B" circuit. Wiring, connectors and the metering solenoid are the most common culprits.

Can I drive with code P0260?

Only briefly and with care. The engine can suddenly lose power or stall, so don't put off diagnosis.

Why does the code come and go?

It is usually a poor connection that changes with vibration, heat or moisture. That is why wiring and connectors should be checked first.

This is general information about the code. The meaning can differ between makes and models: a scan tool and the repair manual for your car will show the exact cause.