P1233 On Ford vehicles, the engine computer cannot communicate with the fuel pump driver module, so the module is reported off line

Fuel pump driver module off line (Ford)

P1233 in short

On Ford vehicles, P1233 means the engine computer lost contact with the fuel pump driver module, the box that switches the fuel pump on. Failed modules and chafed wiring are the documented causes. The engine can stall without warning or fail to restart, so get it checked soon rather than driving far.

The fuel pump driver module sits between the engine computer and the fuel pump. The computer sends it a signal and expects a reply. If the reply stops, the computer calls the module off line and sets P1233.

Ford's bulletins list P1233 together with P1235 and P1237 and call out the fuel pump driver module on the 2000-2001 Focus. Other Ford bulletins list P1233 with a no-start or hard start on the Mustang, Explorer, Crown Victoria and F-150, but the NHTSA summaries do not say what the repair is.

Two owners describe the module off line reading with sudden stalling and being stranded. One owner of a 2000 Focus had replaced the fuel pump and filter first without curing it, so a good pump does not rule the module out.

This page speaks only for Ford. Other makes use P1233 for different faults, so a reading on another make needs that maker's own definition.

Pick your make

P1233 is a manufacturer-specific code: its meaning depends on who built the car.

Other makes: meaning not verified. Check with a scan tool that reads manufacturer definitions.

Most likely causes

  1. Fuel pump driver module failing or dropping off line

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Ford's Focus bulletin ties P1233 to the module, and two owners report the module off line with stalling or no-start. The 2000 Focus owner ordered a replacement module.
    What would change this
    Rises if the code returns with the pump and fuse good and the stall is sudden and intermittent. Falls if wiring damage is found at the module connector or on the harness.

  2. Chafed wiring at connector C140 on the transmission pan (2000 Taurus and Sable)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Ford bulletin 14041 names chafed wiring at this connector area as a reason for P1233, P1235, P1237 and P0191 on these two models. It does not apply to other models.
    What would change this
    Rises if the harness on top of the transmission pan is rubbed through, or shifting concerns appear along with the codes. Falls on any other model.

What to test first

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

  1. Read all stored codes with a scan tool and note whether P1235 or P1237 are stored with P1233.

    Low riskTool: OBD-II scan tool

    • IfP1233 is stored with P1235 and/or P1237

      It meansFord's bulletin for the Focus lists these three together against the driver module.

      Go to step 2

    • IfP1233 is the only code

      It meansCheck whether a Ford bulletin applies to your model and year.

      Go to step 2

  2. Ask a Ford dealer whether a bulletin for P1233 applies to your VIN. Ford has bulletins for Focus, Mustang, Taurus, F-150, Explorer and Crown Victoria family models.

    Low risk

  3. Have a shop inspect the fuel pump driver module, its connector and the harness for chafing or damage, and test its power, ground and signal against Ford's procedure.

    Best left to a shopTool: multimeter, scan tool

    Warning:The module is mounted under the vehicle on the frame and the fuel system can stay pressurised. Work near fuel lines and live wiring should be done by a shop.

Symptoms

  • Check engine light with P1233 stored
  • Intermittent hard start or no-start
  • Engine stalls without warning at road speed and may restart, then stall again Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.

Compare with: Check engine light with loss of power

How to fix

Parts and cost context

  • Fuel pump:An owner replaced the fuel pump and filter on a 2000 Focus before the cause was found to be the driver module, so test the module before buying a pump. Labour varies; get a quote.

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

Compare used part prices on PartPriceGuide

On your vehicle

Ford

  • 2000–2001 · Focus

    Supported by vehicle data

    Ford bulletin 14747 ties P1233, P1235 and P1237 to the fuel pump driver module on the Focus, and an owner's 2000 Focus stalled at highway speed with P1233 and a back-ordered module. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.

  • 1999–2001 · Mustang

    Supported by vehicle data

    Ford bulletin 14740 lists a hard start with P1233 on the Mustang. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.

  • 2000 · Taurus

    Supported by vehicle data

    Ford bulletin 14041 says wiring chafed at connector C140 on the transmission pan can set P1233 and related codes. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.

  • 2004–2008 · F-150

    Supported by vehicle data

    Ford bulletin 17238 covers P1233 on the 2004 F-150, and an owner of a 2008 F-150 reports an intermittent no-start with P1233, with the module bolted under the frame. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.

  • 2004 · Explorer

    Supported by vehicle data

    Ford bulletin 17592 covers an intermittent no-start with P1233 to P1238. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.

  • 2003–2004 · Crown Victoria

    Supported by vehicle data

    Ford bulletin 17745 covers P1233 with a possible driveability or no-start condition. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.

  • 14740Status unverified

    Hard start with DTC P1233 and/or P1414

    1999–2001mustang · issued · NHTSA 619478

    Lists a hard start with P1233, with or without P1414, a right front turn lamp fault and the ABS lamp on. The NHTSA summary does not say what the repair is.

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

  • 14747Status unverified

    Check engine light with P1233, P1235, P1237 (fuel pump driver module)

    2000–2001focus · issued · NHTSA 619482

    Ties the check engine light and these three codes to the fuel pump driver module. The NHTSA summary does not say what the repair is.

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

  • 14041 (ford)Status unverified

    P1233, P1235, P1237, P0191 and shifting concerns from chafed wiring

    2000taurus · issued · NHTSA 620295

    Says wiring chafed on top of the transmission pan, or on the bracket that holds connector C140, can set these codes and cause driveability or shifting concerns.

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

  • 17238Status unverified

    MIL on with DTC P1233, with or without driveability concerns

    2004f-150 · issued · NHTSA 10004092

    Covers a check engine light with P1233 on the 2004 F-150. The NHTSA summary does not say what the repair is.

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

  • 17592 (ford)Status unverified

    Intermittent no start and/or MIL on with P1233 to P1238

    2004explorer · issued · NHTSA 10007389

    Covers an intermittent no-start or check engine light with P1233 to P1238. The NHTSA summary does not say what the repair is.

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

  • 17745 (ford)Status unverified

    P1233 with possible driveability or no-start condition

    2003–2004crown-victoria · issued · NHTSA 10008241

    Covers P1233 with a possible driveability or no-start condition. The NHTSA summary does not say what the repair is.

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

Mercury

  • 2000 · Sable

    Supported by vehicle data

    Same Ford bulletin 14041 as the Taurus. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.

  • 2004 · Mountaineer

    Supported by vehicle data

    Same Ford bulletin 17592 as the Explorer. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.

  • 2003–2004 · Grand Marquis

    Supported by vehicle data

    Same Ford bulletin 17745 as the Crown Victoria. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.

  • 14041 (mercury)Status unverified

    P1233, P1235, P1237, P0191 and shifting concerns from chafed wiring

    2000sable · issued · NHTSA 620295

    Same bulletin as the Ford Taurus entry: chafed wiring at the C140 connector area on the transmission pan.

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

  • 17592 (mercury)Status unverified

    Intermittent no start and/or MIL on with P1233 to P1238

    2004mountaineer · issued · NHTSA 10007389

    Same bulletin as the Ford Explorer entry.

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

  • 17745 (mercury)Status unverified

    P1233 with possible driveability or no-start condition

    2003–2004grand-marquis · issued · NHTSA 10008241

    Same bulletin as the Ford Crown Victoria entry.

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

Lincoln

  • 2003–2004 · Town Car

    Supported by vehicle data

    Same Ford bulletin 17745 as the Crown Victoria. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.

  • 17745 (lincoln)Status unverified

    P1233 with possible driveability or no-start condition

    2003–2004town-car · issued · NHTSA 10008241

    Same bulletin as the Ford Crown Victoria entry.

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

No curated relationships for P1233 yet.

All Fuel pump and injectors codes

P1233 questions

Is it safe to drive with P1233?

Not for long. Owners report the engine stalling at highway speed with no warning, so have it checked soon and avoid fast roads until then.

Does P1233 mean my fuel pump is bad?

Not necessarily. On Ford it points to the fuel pump driver module that switches the pump. One owner replaced the pump and filter before the module was found to be the cause.

Does P1233 mean the same on a Hyundai, Kia or Mazda?

Not on this page. It speaks only for Ford, and other makes define P1233 differently.

Sources and review

  1. NHTSA complaint ODI 10335887, 2000 Ford Focus — NHTSA (owner complaint)
  2. NHTSA complaint ODI 10577490, 2008 Ford F-150 — NHTSA (owner complaint)
  3. Ford bulletin 14747, check engine light on with DTC P1233, P1235, P1237 (fuel pump driver module), 2000-2001 Focus — Ford Motor Company ,
  4. Ford bulletin 14041, DTCs P1233, P1235, P1237, P0191 and shifting concerns from chafed wiring at connector C140, 2000 Taurus and Sable — Ford Motor Company ,
  5. Ford bulletin 17745, DTC P1233 with possible driveability or no-start condition, 2003-2004 Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis and Town Car — Ford Motor Company ,
  6. Ford bulletin 14740, hard start, DTC P1233 and/or P1414, turn lamp and ABS lamp concerns, 1999-2001 Mustang — Ford Motor Company ,
  7. Ford bulletin 17238, MIL on with DTC P1233 with or without driveability concerns, 2004 F-150 — Ford Motor Company ,
  8. Ford bulletin 17592, intermittent no start and/or MIL on with DTCs P1233 to P1238, 2004 Explorer and Mountaineer — Ford Motor Company ,
  9. P1233 Trouble Code Meanings by Make — troublecodes.net
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.