P0216: Injection Timing Control Circuit Malfunction

What Does The P0216 Code Mean?

Basically this means the diesel fuel injection pump has a timing failure. This could be that the injection pump timing needs adjusted OR the failure is internal to the injection pump and therefore non-adjustable.

NOTE: If your vehicle is a Dodge Ram with Cummins engine then be aware that fuel delivery problems frequently cause this code. Prolonged fuel delivery problems can cause injection pump failure!

What Are The Symptoms Of The P0216 Code?

Symptoms of a P0216 DTCmay include:

• Low power
• Crank, but no start
• Hard start
• Displays an intermittent stumble or miss
• Engine may start and then stall
• Engine may appear to drive fine but surge at idle

What Are The Potential Causes Of The P0216 Code?

The most frequent cause of this code is a bad injection pump due to poor fuel delivery. Fuel delivery problems could be:

• A plugged diesel fuel filter
• An in-tank blockage
• Air in the fuel due to a cracked in-tank fuel ine above the fuel level
• Bad transfer (lift) pump
• Injection pump out of time

How Can You Fix The P0216 Code?

First, simply check if your injection pump timing is adjustable. If so, check the timing and adjust if necessary.

If you think that you may have a fuel delivery problem, then check the lift pump operation. On Dodge Ram with the Cummins engine, the lift pump should produce about 45 oz of diesel in 25 seconds of operation.

This can be performed by disconnecting the fuel hose from the injection pump and pumping the fuel into an approved container. Bump the engine over but do not start it. Then the lift pump will operate for 25 seconds. If the fuel is aerated, then check/repair fuel line and recheck.

With the fuel hose connected the fuel pressure should be 10psi. If the fuel delivery tests fail, replace the diesel fuel filter and recheck.

If it still fails then verify there are no restrictions in the fuel tank

Then replace the lift (transfer) pump. IT SHOULD BE NOTED that if this code surfaced after a routine fuel filter replacement or if you have any of the above symptoms after routine fuel filter replacement, then suspect the fuel transfer pump.

This occurs because even a weak transfer pump can still provide enough fuel for the engine to run. But when the fuel system\’s prime is lost due to fuel filter replacement, it may not restart again without fixing the fuel delivery problem.

If you found your injection pump to be bad, the lift pump should be checked for operation to protect the new injection pump. This is because weak or low output from lift pump are common cause of injection pump failure. There are some aftermarket kits that can be purchased to warn the operator when the fuel pressure/volume drops to level that could damage the injection pump.

Recommended Parts

Below are some recommended auto parts to help you address the trouble code affecting your vehicle and get it running smoothly again:

>>> Fuel Filter
>>> Transfer Lift Pump

Note: During the purchasing process, please check carefully whether the part you want to buy fits your car!

Reference Sources

P0216: Injection Timing Control Circuit Malfunction, OBD-Codes.