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How To Fix the P1233 FPDM No-Start Condition DTC

Fix the Ford P1233 FPDM Fuel No Start Problem

Here's a fix for that no-start condition on 2004-2008 Ford trucks. The FPDM (fuel pressure driver module) usually shows up as a P1233 diagnostic trouble code (OBD-II) when the truck's codes are read. A Ford P1233 code is described as Fuel Pump Driver Module Offline or Fuel System Disabled or Offline. A search on Google for Ford P1233 shows that this P1233 DTC code is not limited to being a problem on just Ford trucks. Others with the Focus, Mustang, Town Car, etc. also experience this problem.

You may experience stalling, no-starts, random no-starts, or other potential symptoms. A quick search over at MotorcraftService.com (a Ford service web site), they offer the following possible causes if the P1233 code is triggered:

  • Inertia fuel shutoff (IFS) switch needs to be reset.
  • Open FPDM ground circuit
  • Open circuit to FPDM PWR RLY
  • Open FPDM PWR circuit
  • Open or shorted FPM circuit (engine should start).
  • Damaged IFS switch.
  • Damaged FPDM PWR RLY
  • Damaged FPDM
  • Damaged PCM

There is also a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that may pertain to this specific issue. Here is a text summary:

Make : FORD Model : F150 Year : 2004
Manufacturer : FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Service Bulletin Num : 17238 Date of Bulletin: SEP 01, 2003
NHTSA Item Number: 10004092
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Summary:
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P1233, WITH OR WITHOUT ANY DRIVEABILITY CONCERNS. *TT

Related P1233 FPDM Forum Threads

Fixing the Ford F150 P1233 Code

In the case of member lobo2mil4 in our forums, the problem turned out to be a failed FPDM. It was clear just by looking at it that it needed replacement. If your truck has the same code, take a look at that list of possible causes from above when determining how to fix the code. Your problem may not be a faulty FPDM. Please, do proper diagnostics before spending money replacing parts. All too often you hear of people just replacing parts because that's what the DTC code referred to. Sometimes failures also occur in the wiring, connectors, etc.

Thanks to member lobo2mil4 for contributing the photos below to this article. He went to a junkyard to search for a used one but they were all in poor condition, so he bought a new one from the dealer.

New FPDMs can be purchased from the dealer, for an estimated $84. The original FPDM part number for lobo2mil4's truck was 3F2A-9D370-BA, the part number on the new one was 5L8Z-9D370-A. The correct one for your truck may be a different part number and/or cost. Check with the dealer to be sure.

Truck wouldn't run so I pinpointed the problem to be fuel pump related. But the problem turned out to be the FPDM. Here is a photo of where is located (this shows the new one). To gain access, remove the spare tire, you'll find it right on the crossbar, it's easy to remove
Ford F150 FPDM Location

The old FPDM (broken, bad shape!)
FPDM Ford Truck Repair

The backside of the old FPDM
FPDM Ford Truck Repair

FPDM Ford Truck Repair

Good luck! If you have a truck repair question, don't hesitate to ask for help in our forums.




Keywords: ford fpdm f150 fuel pump driver module no start stall

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User Comments

Add Comment
Comment BERNIE
2009-02-27 at 7:18am

fuelpump driver module
I just had one replaced by a dealer,part was $121.00 labor was $152.00 seems like a rip but I WAS STRANDED,ANY THOUGHTS ABOUT THE COST,TRUCK HAS 59000 MILES,
Comment mick
2009-10-12 at 1:03pm
FWIW, I had a bad FPDM on my 2004 new body style F150 and it did NOT throw a code.
Comment njfisherman11 <njfisherman11@yahoo.com>
2009-11-01 at 5:53am

busted fpdm
This article was a huge help. I live in South Jersey and my house is right on the coastal wetlands. When we get a decent storm the water run off drains in the streets back up. Well this was the case last week and I went out to start my 2004 f150 xlt, the motor was cranking but it was obvious the fuel pump wasn't running. So I spent the whole day searching the web and stumbled across this article. So I lowered the spare tire and sure enough the back white metal piece of the fpdm was oxidized and the green chip was exposed to the water. I called up my local ford dealer and they had one over nighted. They charged me $118 plus 7% nj sales tax. Looks like an easy part to put on but i'm going to have a friend swap it out on Tuesday.
Comment tuckeada
2010-01-05 at 10:02pm

need help very badly
i have a 2000 f-150 4.6 that is doing the same as yours. the problem is my truck does not list a fpdm. what should i check. when my truck is cold it will start then shut off. yo can hear the fuel pump running i have tuned it up changed the fuel filter. if i give gas after a couple min. it will run fine . there are no codes no service soon lights. someone please help this is my only way to work. i drive 90 mile round trip a day.
Comment Bob Jacobs
2010-01-06 at 3:09pm
This post saved me a lot of time and money!! Thank you very much!!
Comment forced_eg
2010-01-18 at 12:07pm
hey tuckeada - i worked on a similar truck like yours, the truck would get enough fuel pressure to run for the first ten minutes (but still crappy on acceleration) and would slowly die off as the truck warmed up - monitor your fuel pressure, could be a bad pump
Comment Mark Taliaferro <mtaliaferr@aol.com>
2010-01-23 at 9:18pm
You guys are awesome.Thanks
Comment keith
2010-03-17 at 2:04pm
I need to find one can anyone help
Comment Dale <dalebgby@hotmail.com>
2010-03-26 at 7:21pm

Ford modules rotting apart
I have several in stock and Ford is running out fast. The plant that made them closed last year. Canada is almost out of stock.
Comment jim
2010-08-20 at 2:25pm
My 04 F150 cranks like it`s getting no gas when it`s cold.The first turn of the key won`t start but then on the next one or two tries it starts and will start at the touch of the key until it gets cold again.There is no code or check engine light.Could this be the trouble?It`s going to the repairman Monday.
Comment Tim <rowett@warwick.net>
2010-10-30 at 12:19am
Thanks lobo I owe you one I,ve spent enough time under my truck with this problem and was getting ready to drop the tank again to see if something was done wrong on the replacement . I have to get my tester back from a friend and I think i,m in the same place as you the info is exactly what i,m dealing with a real pain in the @#$ again thank you
Comment dave
2010-11-30 at 10:52am

fpdm
Whoever posted the article about the fpdm thanks alot Got me running again part was 135.00 but alot cheaper than paying for garage to fix
Comment matt noll <mattnoll63@gmail.com>
2010-12-10 at 12:09am

2001 f150 fuel pump problem
all these articles sounds like my problem.sometimes my truck just turns over and doesnt start and next time,it starts just fine.seems like in cold weather,turn key and it just turns over without firing.when this happens,i cant hear the fuel pump running.its very random when it does this and its been going on for three to four years now.does this truck have a fpdm on it and if not,what could possibly cause this?there are no codes stored and no check engine light on.its on a 2001 ford f150 super crew 4x4 4.6.thanks for any help you can give.
Comment leila
2011-01-11 at 7:49pm
i started my truck i went down the drive way and it shut off ,replaced the fuel pump, pushed fuel reset and it ran fine for a couple of weeks now it shut off again pushed the reset button and i got to work but when i left work it did it again .it read a p1233 for a code any suggestions dont have a lot of money to keep guessing..?
Comment Red
2011-02-16 at 8:04pm

fpdm
I hope this is the case.Just lowered the spare and sure thing,all cracked and oxidized.Going to order one tomorrow.
Comment nate
2011-03-05 at 1:34pm
Thanks for the pics. Mine needed replaced and looked terrible. Had a hole in it the size of a half dollar. The new kit came with new studs to put in so it was off the frame just a little to let dirt and things pass threw...or to build up more. Guess we will find out. Now to just get the spare to raise up again....thanks again.
Comment Eric
2011-03-06 at 5:55pm

fuel pump?????
I read the above comments before tearing in to my gas tank I'm glad I did.My FDPM was corroded one half inch hole and packed with salt.
Comment Tim <timnbeer85@hotmail.com>
2011-03-09 at 8:12am

fuse
Thanks for heads up. Had to tow the truck last week. Was crusing 55 and just quit wouldnt start. Checked fuses and the fuel pump relay fuse was burnt. I replaced it and the truck started right up, but when i put it in drive it burnt another fuse. Ends up being the FPDM.



Thanks Guys!
Comment Cecelia <ct_marlow@hotmail.com>
2011-03-10 at 10:46am

'04 F150-FX Triton Engine
My '04 f-150 pick-up just quit and stranded me 250 miles away from home. It was running perfectly sputtered a few times then stopped. We replaced the fuel pump and the FPDM and reset the switch and the truck still won't run. Can anybody help with this question of how to get this truck running?
Comment papa99
2011-03-14 at 8:13pm
wished i would have came here before i purchased the new pump that still wont work. guess i will be dropping the spare first thing in the AM. thanks for the help!!!!
Comment jason
2011-03-18 at 5:37am

thank you
your info was verry helpfull. pointed me rite to the problem. my cost of the part was a little higher $100.04 . and i had to change the mounts of the new unit. all in all this info solved my problem thany again. upstate N.Y.
Comment coop
2011-05-02 at 10:18am
Just another better idel. LOL
Comment Alex from Baie-Comeau, QC, CDN
2011-05-31 at 2:46pm

Fixing my No-Start Condition DTC
Finally...THE ANSWER!
I spent a day troubleshooting this problem... And I couldn't find it... I explain the trouble to my girlfriend and she found your article ... It's the solution...
The problem, now, It's the part that is B.O.
Comment Mark <hntr4444@gmail.com>
2011-09-06 at 12:17pm

F-150 FPDM
Thank you so much my truck didn't have a code but it had been raining for days so i started with this and it started right up. Thank you for the pictures they helped alot.
Comment nhbarry
2011-09-14 at 6:56am

fpdm
thank for info, had truck towed 3 times put in garage warmed up it was fine. snow and rain made it not work. put it in baggie(had 2 use truck in rain) still there & waiting on new part backodered
Comment shaun <drumr213@aol.com>
2011-11-22 at 9:51am
Would the fuel pump still prime if the module was bad?...I've had problem starting a few times...last time it would start but run rough and stall after about 3 seconds.....so I put it to the floor and she started....but befor each time I tried it I made sure the pump was priming....which it was....
Comment jhan
2011-12-05 at 11:57am

fpdm
Thanks for the advice--after replacing pump I found these postings -- and worked like a charm--just wish the Hanes book had more complete info
Comment Gene
2012-02-10 at 6:28am

P1233 F{DM no start 2008 F 150
I have a 2008 F 150. My truck just stopped running too. Had it towed to Ford Dealer. Cost $135 for the part $160 for labor. Warrenty would of covered Fuel pump but not this part!! What a rip off. The fuel pump wont work without that part!!!! Wont buy another Ford Car again!!!!!
Comment S. Enders <senders48@rogers.com>
2012-03-03 at 2:35pm

Ontario Canada
Just happened to me in the driveway on my way to work. Good thing my wife's car was behind me (LOL) Got the module from FORD ($168.99 CDN + 13% tax), Easy to put in. Old one completely corroded. Wondered how it continued to work. Found another on EBAY (370554669840) $69.99 + $30.00 ship to Canada. (free ship in US) Would have saved me $100.00, but needed it right away. Bought for a spare or to help out a buddy/

"STILL A FORD LOVER"
Comment S. Enders <senders48@rogers.com>
2012-03-06 at 1:16pm

Ford P1233 FPDM Fuel No Start Problem
Just replaced mine, quit in the driveway, (luck) corroded like the pictures before. Unfortunately had to go to local ford dealer for part. Cost $168.99 cdn + 13% tax. Installed myself with a standoff kit. Coated the module with anti corrosion. Part is available in US for between $60.00 & $70.00 US. $30.00 ship to Canada, but free in US
Ebay #370554669840 http://www.directauto.com

good luck


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