What P008A means
Some engines, mainly gasoline direct injection with a demand-controlled in-tank pump, have their own pressure sensor in the low-pressure line between the tank pump and the high-pressure pump.
How the engine computer detects it
The engine control module compares this supply pressure with its target. P008A is set when the supply pressure stays too low. Besides a weak tank pump or its control unit, a clogged filter or a faulty sensor, simply running the tank empty can set this code.
Written from public technical sources and not yet checked by a mechanic. How we write these pages
Symptoms
- Check engine light on
- Hard starting
- Jerking under load
- High-pressure codes may follow
Common causes
- Tank run empty or very low fuel level Most likely
- In-tank pump or its control unit faulty Most likely
- Filter or line restricted Possible
- Low-pressure sensor faulty Possible
How to diagnose P008A
- Read every stored code with an OBD-II scanner. If misfire or fuel trim codes are there too, fix those first: they often cause this one.
- Inspect the parts involved: low pressure fuel pump, fuel pump control module, low pressure fuel sensor, fuel filter.
- Work through the causes above from most to least likely, cheapest checks first.
- Clear the code and drive a full drive cycle to confirm the repair held.
Vehicles that report P008A most
| Vehicle | Years | Reports | Share | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alfa Romeo Giulia | 2017–2020 | 15 | — | |
| Alfa Romeo Stelvio | 2018–2020 | 3 | — | |
| Ford Mustang | 2019–2021 | 3 | — |
Counts of owner complaints to the NHTSA that mention P008A (28 in total), not failure rates: popular models get more complaints simply because more of them are on the road. Models with fewer than 3 complaints are left out.
Reading the code
- P
- Powertrain
- 0
- Generic (SAE) code
- 0
- Fuel and air metering, auxiliary emission controls
- 8A
- Specific fault
Questions drivers ask
Can I drive with code P008A?
Usually yes for a short time, if the car drives normally, the temperature gauge reads normal and the check engine light is steady. If the light flashes, the engine loses power or overheats, or other warning lights come on, pull over and have it checked.
Will my car pass an emissions inspection with P008A?
Probably not in states that test vehicles with an OBD-II scan: an emissions-related code that keeps the check engine light on is usually an automatic fail. Rules differ by state and county, so check yours.
Will P008A clear by itself?
The light can go off after several drive cycles without the fault, but the code returns if the cause is still there. After a repair, the readiness monitors need a full drive cycle before an inspection.
Can I fix P008A myself?
Often yes, with an OBD-II scanner and basic tools. Difficulty: medium. Start with the cheapest checks before replacing expensive parts.
Often reported together
Codes that owners mention in the same NHTSA complaints as P008A. They can point to a shared cause, so it's worth checking them together.
This page is general information, not a substitute for a professional diagnosis. Repair costs are rough estimates for parts and labor and vary by vehicle and region.