Injection Pump Fuel Metering Control "B" Intermittent (Cam/Rotor/Injector)
Your fuel injection pump isn't consistently controlling how much fuel gets sprayed into the engine cylinders. Think of it like a water faucet that sometimes works smoothly and sometimes stutters—the ECU detects these intermittent problems with the fuel metering control circuit.
The ECU monitors the fuel pump metering solenoid circuit voltage and current flow to verify proper fuel delivery commands are reaching the injector. It checks for signal continuity, voltage stability, and response timing. Intermittent faults occur when the signal drops briefly or becomes erratic without staying consistently out of range.
| Parameter | Normal Range | Fault Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Solenoid Circuit Voltage | 11.5–14.5V with clean signal | Drops below 10V or above 16V intermittently |
| Signal Continuity | Steady response <50ms | Intermittent dropouts or delays >100ms |
Code P0261 is a moderate fault. You can generally drive to a workshop, but avoid long trips or high-load driving (motorway, uphill towing) until it is diagnosed. If the code keeps returning after clearing, or if you notice the symptoms listed above worsening, do not delay professional diagnosis. Many moderate codes have multiple possible root causes — a mechanic with live OBD data can identify the exact fault more efficiently than part-by-part trial and error.
Once the fault is repaired, P0261 can be cleared using any OBD-II scanner. Connect the scanner, navigate to "Clear Codes" or "Erase DTCs," and confirm. The check engine light turns off immediately.
The code will return if the root cause was not actually fixed. The ECM re-detects the fault within 1–3 drive cycles and sets the code again.