P00C6 Fuel rail pressure too low while the engine is cranking

Fuel Rail Pressure Too Low – Engine Cranking

P00C6 in short

P00C6 means fuel rail pressure did not build up enough while the engine was cranking, so it may crank but not start. On GM engines, a sticking camshaft actuator solenoid, poor engine computer terminals or a leaking pump or rail are known causes. Get it checked soon, and do not drive if you smell fuel.

On a direct-injection engine, the high-pressure fuel pump is driven by the camshaft, so it has to build rail pressure from scratch each time the engine cranks. The injectors need that pressure to spray fuel properly.

In GM service information for the 3.0L and 3.6L V6, the check runs once per start on a cold engine (coolant below 65 °C / 149 °F) with good supply pressure from the tank. P00C6 sets if rail pressure never reaches 3 MPa (about 435 psi) or stays below 2 MPa while cranking.

Bulletins show several routes to the same result. GM V8 trucks can have a sticking camshaft actuator solenoid that retards timing and causes an intermittent crank no start. GM V6 models can have poor terminal contact at the engine computer. Some 2016–2017 GM models had loose pump or rail fasteners that leak fuel, and Land Rover blames the pump metering valve.

Most likely causes

  1. Sticking camshaft actuator solenoid (GM V8 trucks and SUVs)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    GM has a long-running bulletin series for 2014–2018 V8 Silverado, Sierra, Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, Escalade, Corvette, Camaro and CTS with an intermittent crank no start and P0011 or P00C6: the camshaft actuator solenoid sticks and retards valve timing. A related GM record links P00C6 to low rail pressure on a crank no start.
    What would change this
    Rises on a GM V8 with P0011 also stored or an intermittent crank no start. Falls on other engines or when P0011 never appears.
    How to test the variable valve timing (vvt) oil control solenoid

  2. Poor terminal contact at the engine computer (GM 3.0L/3.6L)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    GM bulletins for 2010–2015 V6 models with P00C6 or P228C say to check engine computer terminals for the pump and rail pressure sensor, as little as 2 ohms of resistance can set the codes. GM service information also lists circuit resistance.
    What would change this
    Rises if terminals are loose or crimps are poor. Falls if terminal tension and resistance are good.
    How to test the engine control module (ecm / pcm)

  3. High-pressure fuel pump or its metering valve

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Land Rover traced P00C6 with P228C/P228D on 2012–2014 Evoque and LR2 to the metering valve inside the high-pressure pump. GM service information lists a faulty pump valve or solenoid, and KBB lists the fuel pump.
    What would change this
    Rises if low-side pressure is good but rail pressure stays low while cranking. Falls if rail pressure builds normally.
    How to test the fuel pump

  4. Fuel leaking from loose pump or rail fasteners (2016–2017 GM)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    GM service update 16029 for 2016 Camaro, CTS, XT5 and 2017 ATS says loose factory fasteners can let fuel leak and set P00C6, P228C or P228D. GM service information and KBB list leaking fuel pipes.
    What would change this
    Rises with a fuel smell or wet fuel at the pump or rail. Falls if the dealer confirms the update is done and there is no leak.

  5. Weak supply from the in-tank pump or a clogged filter

    Possible — needs testing
    Why it ranks here
    KBB lists the fuel pump and filter. GM's test only runs when supply pressure from the tank is good, so a weak supply more often sets other codes as well.
    What would change this
    Rises if low-side pressure is low or other supply codes are stored. Falls if low-side pressure holds specification.
    How to test the fuel pump

  6. Fuel rail pressure sensor or its wiring

    Possible — needs testing
    Why it ranks here
    KBB lists the pressure sensor and connectors, and GM's terminal bulletin includes the sensor circuits.
    What would change this
    Rises if the sensor reading is implausible with the key on. Falls if it reads sensibly.
    How to test the fuel rail pressure sensor

What to test first

Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.

  1. Before cranking again, open the hood and check for a fuel smell or wet fuel around the fuel pump and rail.

    Low risk

  2. Read all codes and freeze-frame data. Note whether P0011, P228C, P228D, P0087 or misfire codes are stored too.

    Low riskTool: OBD-II scan tool

  3. Ask a dealer to check the VIN for open service updates and fuel system bulletins.

    Low riskTool: VIN lookup at a dealer

  4. Have a shop watch low-side and rail pressure on a scan tool while cranking a cold engine.

    Best left to a shopTool: scan tool with live data

    Warning:Never loosen a fuel fitting: the high-pressure side can hold pressure after shutdown and a fuel spray can cause injury or fire. Keep sparks and flames away.

Symptoms

  • Check engine light on
  • Engine cranks but will not start, or takes long to start
  • Rough running or misfires after starting
  • Fuel smell under the hood Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.
  • Reduced power or stalling while driving Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.

How to fix

  1. Do not keep cranking a no-start engine for long periods; it drains the battery and does not fix the cause.

  2. Ask a dealer to check the VIN for open service updates and bulletins before buying parts.

Parts and cost context

  • Fuel pump:The high-pressure pump is one cause, but on GM engines the camshaft actuator solenoid or engine computer terminals are also fixed for this code. Labour varies; get a quote.
  • Variable valve timing (VVT) oil control solenoid:On 2014–2018 GM V8 trucks and SUVs, check the camshaft actuator solenoid when P0011 also sets.

Labor varies by vehicle and shop; get a quote before you approve a repair.

Compare used part prices on PartPriceGuide

On your vehicle

Chevrolet

  • 2014–2018 · Silverado 1500 · 5.3L V8, 6.2L V8

    Supported by vehicle data

    Intermittent crank no start with P0011 or P00C6 from a sticking camshaft actuator solenoid (also Sierra, Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, Escalade, Corvette). Bulletin status not verified.

  • 2010–2015 · Equinox · 3.0L V6, 3.6L V6

    Supported by vehicle data

    Check engine computer terminals for the pump and rail pressure sensor (also Terrain, Impala, Camaro, LaCrosse, SRX, CTS, ATS, XTS). Bulletin status not verified.

  • 2016 · Camaro

    Supported by vehicle data

    Service update 16029 for factory-loose pump or rail fasteners that can leak fuel (also 2016 CTS, XT5 and 2017 ATS). Bulletin status not verified.

  • PIP5130JStatus unverified

    Intermittent crank no start with P0011 or P00C6

    2014–2018silverado-1500, tahoe, suburban, corvette, camaro · issued · NHTSA 10129061

    Camshaft actuator solenoid may stick and retard timing; cycle it with the scan tool.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • PIP-5130-BStatus unverified

    Engine cranks but will not start, P00C6, low rail pressure

    2014–2015silverado-1500, tahoe, suburban, corvette · issued · NHTSA 10055403

    Crank no start with low rail pressure.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • PIP5209CStatus unverified

    P00C6 and/or P228C: recheck engine computer terminals

    2010–2015equinox, camaro, impala · issued · NHTSA 10114546

    Check terminal fit, tension and crimps for the rail pressure sensor and pump circuits.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • GCUS-3-729Status unverified

    Service update 16029: pump or rail fasteners

    2016–2017camaro · issued · NHTSA 10130675

    Fasteners may be loose from the factory; fuel can leak and set P228C, P228D or P00C6.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

GMC

  • 2014–2018 · Sierra 1500 · 5.3L V8, 6.2L V8

    Supported by vehicle data

    Shares the Silverado camshaft actuator solenoid bulletins. Bulletin status not verified.

  • PIP5130JStatus unverified

    Intermittent crank no start with P0011 or P00C6

    2014–2018silverado-1500, tahoe, suburban, corvette, camaro · issued · NHTSA 10129061

    Camshaft actuator solenoid may stick and retard timing; cycle it with the scan tool.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • PIP-5130-BStatus unverified

    Engine cranks but will not start, P00C6, low rail pressure

    2014–2015silverado-1500, tahoe, suburban, corvette · issued · NHTSA 10055403

    Crank no start with low rail pressure.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Land Rover

  • 2012–2014 · Range Rover Evoque

    Supported by vehicle data

    Hard starting, rough running or misfires with P00C6 from the pump metering valve (also 2013–2014 LR2). Bulletin status not verified.

  • LTB00730NAS1Status unverified

    MIL with P00C6 and P228D-00 or P228C-77

    2012–2014range-rover-evoque, lr2 · issued · NHTSA 10105424

    Possible internal fault in the high-pressure pump metering valve.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • P228CFuel pressure regulator 1 cannot bring rail pressure up to target

    Shares causes Supported by vehicle data

    P228C is low rail pressure while running. GM bulletins cover both codes together for terminal faults and loose pump or rail fasteners.

  • P0011Intake camshaft timing ahead of target or slow to respond (bank 1)

    Shares causes Supported by vehicle data

    On 2014–2018 GM V8 engines, P0011 with P00C6 and an intermittent crank no start points to a sticking camshaft actuator solenoid.

  • P0087Fuel pressure in the rail or supply system is lower than the engine computer requested

    Same system Common general cause

    P0087 is low rail pressure while the engine runs; P00C6 is the same problem during cranking only.

All Turbocharging, fuel pressure and EGR codes

P00C6 questions

Why does my engine crank but not start with P00C6?

The injectors need high rail pressure to spray fuel. If the pump cannot build it while cranking, the engine may not fire. On GM V8s a sticking camshaft actuator solenoid can cause this.

Is it safe to drive with P00C6?

If it starts and runs normally, get it checked soon. Do not drive it if you smell fuel, and stop if it stalls or goes into reduced power.

Sources and review

  1. P00C6 code: fuel rail pressure too low during engine cranking — Kelley Blue Book (KBB Service Advisor, reviewed by Gary Hardesty)
  2. DTC P0089, P00C6, P228C, or P228D (LF1, LFW), 2011 Saab 9-4X service information — Saab Automobile (GM-based service information, Saab WIS Online)
  3. Service update 16029: high-pressure pump or fuel rail fasteners (GCUS-3-729) — General Motors / NHTSA ,
  4. Intermittent crank no start with P0011 or P00C6 (bulletin PIP5130J) — General Motors / NHTSA ,
  5. Engine cranks but will not start, P00C6 may set, low fuel rail pressure (PIP-5130-B) — General Motors / NHTSA ,
  6. P00C6 and/or P228C: recheck engine computer terminals (bulletin PIP5209C) — General Motors / NHTSA ,
  7. MIL with P00C6 and P228D-00 or P228C-77 (bulletin LTB00730NAS1) — Jaguar Land Rover / NHTSA ,
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
Editorial review
Pending
Technician review
Technician review pending

This page explains what a code usually means; it is not a substitute for a professional inspection. How we source and review · Report an error

My Car

Pick your car and code pages will point out notes and bulletins for it. Saved only in this browser.

Fill this in from your VIN

Used once to identify your engine; not stored.