2005 Ram 2500, Cummins. 30000 miles. Truck has hardly been used over winter. Started fine; died after 5 minutes, no way to start. Got code P0251: Injection pump metering control A. Can anyone help me understand what this means and how to sort out further. Could there be some loose electrical connection related to this since it died so abruptly. Thanks so much. Desperate. Charlie

 

I hope this helps:
The ECM detects a discrepancy between the PWM supplied to the Electronic Fuel Control Actuator and the PWM returned from the Electronic Fuel Control Actuator.

Possible Causes
FUEL PUMP
(K181) FUEL CONTROL ACTUATOR DRIVER OPEN
(K31) RETURN CIRCUIT OPEN FROM FCA TO ECM
(K181) FUEL CONTROL ACTUATOR DRIVER CIRCUIT SHORTED TO EXTERNAL VOLTAGE
(K31) FUEL CONTROL ACTUATOR RETURN CIRCUIT SHORTED TO EXTERNAL VOLTAGE
(K31) FCA RETURN CIRCUIT SHORTED TO (K181) FCA DRIVER CIRCUIT
(K181) FUEL CONTROL ACTUATOR DRIVER CIRCUIT SHORTED TO GROUND
(K181) FUEL CONTROL ACTUATOR DRIVER CIRCUIT SHORTED TO ANOTHER CIRCUIT
(K31) FUEL CONTROL ACTUATOR RETURN CIRCUIT SHORTED TO ANOTHER CIRCUIT
INTERMITTENT CONDITION
ECM


Always perform the Pre-Diagnostic Troubleshooting procedure before proceeding. (Refer to 9 - ENGINE - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING)

Diagnostic Test
1. FUEL PUMP

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Ignition on, engine not running.
Disconnect the Fuel Control Actuator (FCA) harness connector.
Connect an incandescent test light across the Fuel Control Actuator driver circuit and the Fuel Control Actuator return circuit at the fuel control actuator harness connector.
Observe the test light.
The ECM will perform a self test of the circuit which should momentarily flash the test light brightly, one time, approximately 20 seconds after being connected.

NOTE: Check connectors - Clean/repair as necessary.



NOTE: Compare test light brightness to that of a direct connection to the battery.



Did the light flash brightly?

Yes
Replace the Fuel Pump.
Perform POWERTRAIN VERIFICATION TEST VER - 1 (DIESEL). (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULES/ENGINE CONTROL MODULE - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING)

No
Go To 2



2. (K181) FUEL CONTROL ACTUATOR DRIVER OPEN

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Turn the ignition off.
Disconnect the ECM harness connectors.

NOTE: Check connectors - Clean/repair as necessary.


Measure the resistance of the FCA driver circuit between the electronic fuel control actuator harness connector and the ECM harness connector.

Is the resistance less than 10 Ohms?

Yes
Go To 3

No
Repair the (K181) Fuel Control Actuator Driver circuit OPEN.
Perform POWERTRAIN VERIFICATION TEST VER - 1 (DIESEL). (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULES/ENGINE CONTROL MODULE - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING)



3. (K31) RETURN CIRCUIT OPEN

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Measure the resistance of the (K31) return circuit between the FCA harness connector and the ECM harness connector.

Is the resistance less than 10 Ohms?

Yes
Go To 4

No
Repair or replace the engine wiring harness.
Perform POWERTRAIN VERIFICATION TEST VER - 1 (DIESEL). (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULES/ENGINE CONTROL MODULE - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING)



4. (K181) FUEL CONTROL ACTUATOR DRIVER CIRCUIT SHORTED TO EXTERNAL VOLTAGE

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Measure the voltage between the (K181) FCA driver circuit in the FCA harness connector and battery negative.

Is the voltage greater than 1 volts?

Yes
Repair the (K181) FCA driver circuit shorted to external voltage.

No
Go To 5



5. (K31) FUEL CONTROL ACTUATOR RETURN CIRCUIT SHORTED TO EXTERNAL VOLTAGE

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Measure the voltage between the (K31) FCA return circuit in the FCA harness connector and battery negative.

Is the voltage greater than 1 volts?

Yes
Repair the (K31) FCA return circuit shorted to external voltage.
Perform POWERTRAIN VERIFICATION TEST VER - 1 (DIESEL). (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULES/ENGINE CONTROL MODULE - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING)

No
Go To 6



6. (K31) FCA RETURN CIRCUIT SHORTED TO (K181) FCA DRIVER CIRCUIT

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Measure the Resistance between the return circuit in the FCA harness connector and Driver circuit.

Is the resistance less than 10 Ohms?

Yes
Repair the (K31) FCA Return circuit shorted to (K181) FCA Driver circuit.
Perform POWERTRAIN VERIFICATION TEST VER - 1 (DIESEL). (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULES/ENGINE CONTROL MODULE - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING)

No
Go To 7



7. (K181) FUEL CONTROL ACTUATOR DRIVER CIRCUIT SHORTED TO GROUND

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Measure the resistance between the (K181) FCA driver circuit in the FCA harness connector and battery negative.

Is the resistance less than 10 Ohms?

Yes
Repair the (K181) FCA driver circuit shorted to ground.
Perform POWERTRAIN VERIFICATION TEST VER - 1 (DIESEL). (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULES/ENGINE CONTROL MODULE - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING)

No
Go To 8



8. (K181) FUEL CONTROL ACTUATOR DRIVER CIRCUIT SHORTED TO ANOTHER CIRCUIT

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Measure the resistance between the (K181) FCA driver circuit in the ECM harness connector and all other circuits in the ECM connectors.

Is the resistance less than 10 Ohms?

No
Go To 9

Yes
Repair the (K181) FCA driver circuit shorted to another circuit.
Perform POWERTRAIN VERIFICATION TEST VER - 1 (DIESEL). (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULES/ENGINE CONTROL MODULE - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING)



9. (K31) FUEL CONTROL ACTUATOR RETURN CIRCUIT SHORTED TO ANOTHER CIRCUIT

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Measure the resistance between the (K31) FCA Return circuit in the ECM harness connector and all other circuits in the ECM connectors.`

Is the resistance less than 10 Ohms?

No
Go To 10

Yes
Repair the (K31) FCA Return circuit shorted to another circuit.
Perform POWERTRAIN VERIFICATION TEST VER - 1 (DIESEL). (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULES/ENGINE CONTROL MODULE - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING)



10. ECM

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Reconnect the ECM harness connectors.
Ignition on, engine not running.
Disconnect the Electronic Fuel Control Actuator connector.
Connect an incandescent test light across the Fuel Control Actuator driver pin and the Fuel Control Actuator return wire at the fuel control actuator connector.
Observe the test light.
The ECM will perform a self test of the circuit which should momentarily flash the test light brightly, one time, approximately 20 seconds after being connected.

NOTE: Compare test light brightness to that of a direct connection to the battery.



Did the light flash brightly?

Yes
Refer to the INTERMITTENT CONDITION Symptom (Diagnostic Procedure). (Refer to 9 - ENGINE - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING)

No
Replace the ECM.
Perform POWERTRAIN VERIFICATION TEST VER - 1 (DIESEL). (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULES/ENGINE CONTROL MODULE - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING)

 

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong but that sounds like the FCA. On the back of the injection pump, it's a little cylinder with two wires to the back and three T25 torx screws holding it on. Take it off and shake it hard, it should make a bit of a rattle.


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=53.521879,-113.629547

 

This code is commonly associated with the FCA (fuel control actuator) or a loose/ damaged connector end. I also recommend you drain the fuel filter canister into a clean bottle and check for the presence of water, since the vehicle was not used much over the winter.

SUBJECT:
Electronic Fuel Control (EFC) Actuator Available For Service
OVERVIEW:

This bulletin involves replacing the EFC Actuator.
MODELS:
2003 - 2005 DR/DH Ram Truck
NOTE: This bulletin applies to vehicles equipped with a Cummins Turbo Diesel
(sales code ETC or ETH).
SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
Engine surges at idle.
DIAGNOSIS:
ENGINE SURGES AT IDLE
Possible Causes
Fuel Supply System
Injection System
Fuel Return
Intake System
Other Vehicle Systems
Base Engine

Always perform the Pre-Diagnostic Troubleshooting procedure before proceeding.
1. DTC's - Check for any Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC's) present. - Are there any
DTC's stored or active?
a. Yes >> Repair as necessary before proceeding further with this bulletin.
b. No >> Go to Step #2.
NUMBER: 14-004-05
GROUP: Fuel
DATE: July 8, 2005

2. Verify complaint - Verify proper fuel quality, grade, and level in the vehicle. Using the
DRBIII®, log the fuel pressure set point and fuel pressure. Operate the engine at idle
speed. A good system will have actual fuel pressure that is +/- 500 PSI from the set
point. (Example: If the fuel pressure set point at idle is 6500 PSI, the actual fuel
pressure on a good system is expected to be between 6000 - 7000 PSI). If fuel
pressure variation is excessive, an audible surge will be present. If the variation is
severe, a slight engine speed variation may also be noticed. - Does the fuel rail
pressure fluctuate more than +/- 500 PSI?
a. Yes >> Go to Step #3.
b. No >> Go to Step #7.
NOTE: A loud “knock” and black smoke that exists with a pressure drop may be an
injector issue and should be identified using single cylinder cut-out test.

3. Verify proper low pressure fuel supply to the injection pump. Perform the “In Tank
Fuel Lift Pump Flow Test - Diesel”. In a good system fuel flow of 430 mL in 10 seconds
or better is expected. Be sure there is no air in the system. Is the low pressure fuel
supply sufficient?
a. Yes >> Go to Step #4.
b. No >> Repair the low pressure fuel supply system. Refer to the detailed diagnostic
information available in TechCONNECT under: Service Info, 9 - Engine, Diagnosis
& Testing, Fuel Lift Pump - Diesel. - This bulletin does not apply.

4. Verify High Pressure Fuel Pump Performance. - Remove the fuel pump to rail high
pressure fuel line. Inspect the fuel pump outlet port for rust, debris, or other sign of
contamination. - Is contamination present?
a. Yes >> Go to Step #6.
b. No >> Go to Step #5.

5. Verify fuel injection pump flow. - Route the high pressure fuel line to a graduated
container. Crank the engine until fuel exits the line (with the discharge line routed to
atmosphere, fuel will discharge at 0 PSI). Crank the engine for three 10 second
intervals, pausing to allow the starter to cool between each crank event. Fuel flow
specification is based on engine cranking speed. 1. Minimum fuel pump flow at 150
RPM; 70 mL in 30 seconds. 2. Minimum fuel pump flow at 200 RPM; 90 mL in 30
seconds. Is the fuel flow sufficient?
a. Yes >> Go to Step #8.
b. No >> Step #6.

6. This bulletin does not apply. Replace the fuel injection pump. Check for source of
water to prevent future complaints. Refer to the detailed service information available
in TechCONNECT under: Service Info, 14 - Fuel System, Fuel Injection, Fuel Injection
Pump.

7. Further diagnosis is necessary. This bulletin does not apply. Refer to SB
14-003-05.

8. Perform the Repair Procedure.
PARTS REQUIRED:
Qty. Part No. Description
1 05183245AA Actuator

 

P0251.....Injection Pump Fuel Valve Feedback. Sure sounds like the FCA to me as well!! $100 for the part should get you going.

 

Very help information from everyone. I feel like I have a plan now. Thank you so much.