Fuel Pressure Regulator Diagnosis

FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR DIAGNOSIS

The Fuel Pressure Regulator graphing procedure offers valuable information on regulator performance by comparing desired and actual fuel rail pressure. An almost perfect comparison between actual rail pressure and desired rail pressure is found on a fairly new, low mileage engine. A minor ripple is acceptable behavior for the fuel rail pressure regulator and is seen on high mileage engines. A "shark tooth" fluctuation in actual fuel rail pressure indicates a sticking pressure regulator.
1. Set up the following Min/Max ranges for graphing the fuel rail pressure on the scan tool.
- Engine Speed Min/Max range is 0-1,000 RPM.
- Actual Fuel Rail Pressure Min/Max range is 1-160 MPa.
- Desired Fuel Rail Pressure Min/Max is 1-160 MPa.
2. Start and idle the engine.
3. Observe the live plot for sharp changes or shark tooth pattern in the Actual Fuel Rail Pressure while performing the following actions:
- Idling the engine
- Shifting the transmission from Park to Drive and back to Park
- Turning the steering from left stop position to right stop position
- Turning the air conditioning ON and OFF

Good Fuel Pressure Regulator Graph, 0 Miles:

Good Fuel Pressure Regulator Graph, 26K Miles:

Fuel Pressure Regulator Graph, Surging:

4. If there is a violent fluctuation in the Actual Fuel Rail Pressure, as seen in the surging graph, replace the fuel pressure regulator.