Can you keep driving?
Can you keep driving?
Stop driving if any of these apply
- !The vehicle suddenly runs much worse, loses power sharply, or the check-engine light starts flashing.
- !There is a strong smell, smoke, overheating, or any symptom that suggests a real-time safety problem rather than a stored code alone.
What to check first
Step-by-step checks
- 1
Safety first
Work on the fuel system only with the engine off and keep sparks, hot surfaces, and open flames away from the area
- 2
Free - no tools
Inspect the secondary metering connector for looseness, corrosion, or spread terminals
- 3
Basic tool needed
Check whether the vehicle shows hard-start, stall, or power-loss symptoms that line up with poor fuel control
- 4
Basic tool needed
Verify fuse and power-feed condition before replacing the valve
- 5
Basic tool needed
If scan data is available, compare commanded fuel delivery with actual response on the secondary path
- 6
Basic tool needed
Look for recent service that may have left the secondary circuit unplugged or strained
If the code returns
- -If the circuit is open, repair the wiring or connector first.
- -If the valve still fails after power and ground are restored, replacement is more likely.
- -If the supply side is also weak, solve that before blaming the alternate valve alone.
Background
What this code means
P0258 is a generic OBD-II code for a high-input secondary fuel metering control circuit.
That often means the ECU is seeing an open circuit or a signal that is higher than expected on the alternate metering path. The issue may be a broken wire, a disconnected valve, or a secondary control valve that is not behaving normally.
Diagnosis
Common causes
Open circuit in the secondary path
A broken wire or loose terminal can make the ECU see a very high value.
Failed secondary metering valve
The valve may no longer respond to the control command.
Connector or fuse-feed issue
Poor contact or lost power can create a high-input style fault.
Fuel supply instability
If the supply side is unstable, the ECU can lose trust in the alternate control loop.
Avoid these mistakes
What not to do
- xDo not replace the pump first if the wiring is open or the connector is clearly loose.
- xDo not ignore a missing power feed just because the metering valve is the named part.
Parts
Parts that may need replacing
See also
Related OBD codes
Source notes
Generic OBD-II (SAE J1979 / ISO 15031-5). P0258 was seeded from dtcdb and then expanded around high secondary fuel metering faults, especially open circuits and missing power feed.
This guide is written as a generic multi-make reference, so bulletin history, sensor locations, and repair order can still change by manufacturer and engine family.
This is generic OBD-II guidance and should not override vehicle-specific service information. Exact diagnosis and repair steps vary by make, engine family, and model year.
Last reviewed: 2026-04-10
Reference: Open reference