What P00C6 means
Direct-injection engines release injection only once the rail has reached a minimum pressure.
How the engine computer detects it
P00C6 is set when this pressure is not reached quickly enough while cranking, or, in another documented variant, when it drops below the minimum again right after the high-pressure start. Cranking then takes longer or the engine does not start. The check runs once per start; some manufacturers only enable it above a minimum tank level.
Written from public technical sources and not yet checked by a mechanic. How we write these pages
Symptoms
- Check engine light on
- Long cranking
- No start
- Jerking after starting
Common causes
- High-pressure pump weak, or its drive cam or follower worn Most likely
- Lift pump or low-pressure supply too weak Possible
- Control valve on the pump faulty Possible
- Leak or check valve fault letting pressure bleed off after shutdown Possible
- Very low fuel level Less likely
How to diagnose P00C6
- 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: high pressure fuel pump, low pressure fuel pump, fuel pressure regulator, rail pressure sensor.
- 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 P00C6 most
| Vehicle | Years | Reports | Share | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Equinox | 2019–2024 | 4 | — |
Counts of owner complaints to the NHTSA that mention P00C6 (22 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
- C6
- Specific fault
Questions drivers ask
Can I drive with code P00C6?
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 P00C6?
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 P00C6 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.
Often reported together
Codes that owners mention in the same NHTSA complaints as P00C6. 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.