P1690 — Metering Oil Pump Stepping Motor Circuit Malfunction

P1690 — Metering Oil Pump Stepping Motor Circuit Malfunction. A fault in the sensor and actuator circuits. The car is usually drivable while you plan the repair. Typical causes: control module driver fault, poor ground connection, blown fuse feeding the circuit.

For Ford vehicles

wastegate solenoid circuit

powertrain (engine/transmission)

Is it safe to drive?

Short-term driving is OK In most cases the car remains drivable, possibly with reduced performance or a disabled auxiliary system. If symptoms include stalling, no-start or brake/steering warnings, treat it as urgent.

How to diagnose with an OBD scanner

Read the code and freeze frame Connect an OBD2 scanner, confirm P1690 is stored, and save the freeze frame data — it shows engine conditions when the fault was detected.
Check for companion codes and TSBs Related codes often reveal the real root cause. Also check manufacturer technical service bulletins (TSB) for your make and model — many P0xxx issues have factory fixes or software updates. Search by VIN on the manufacturer site or nhtsa.gov.
Inspect wiring and connectors Visually inspect the wiring harness and connectors related to the metering oil pump stepping motor for damage, corrosion, chafing or poor contact.
Subsystem check Run the module's actuator test for the metering oil pump stepping motor if your scanner supports it — a component that does not respond to a direct command is confirmed faulty.
Subsystem check Measure reference voltage, ground and signal continuity at the component connector.
Subsystem check Wiggle-test the harness while watching the signal in live data — dropouts reveal broken wires.
Verify the repair Clear the code, complete a full drive cycle including the conditions from the freeze frame, and confirm P1690 does not return.

Approximate repair cost

Repair cost depends on which component actually failed. Typical scenarios for P1690 (parts and labor, USD, independent shop rates): Replace the faulty sensor or actuator: $150–$500; Repair wiring or connectors: $80–$250; Control module repair: $300–$1,000. Overall, fixing P1690 usually costs between $80 and $1,000. An accurate diagnosis before buying parts saves money — the most expensive scenario is rarely the first one to check.

Common questions

Is it safe to drive with P1690?

In most cases the car remains drivable, possibly with reduced performance or a disabled auxiliary system. If symptoms include stalling, no-start or brake/steering warnings, treat it as urgent.

How do I diagnose P1690 myself?

Start with a scan: confirm P1690, save the freeze frame and note any companion codes. Then inspect the wiring and connectors related to the metering oil pump stepping motor, and verify the suspect component against live data before buying parts.

What is the most common cause of P1690?

The most common causes are: control module driver fault, poor ground connection, blown fuse feeding the circuit.

Will P1690 clear itself?

Sometimes P1690 clears after a few drive cycles if the fault was intermittent — for example a loose connector or a tank of bad fuel. The underlying cause usually remains, so the code tends to return. Clear it once; if it comes back, diagnose rather than erase it repeatedly.

What are the symptoms of P1690?

Drivers most often notice: Check Engine Light on, possible limp mode depending on the affected component, increased fuel consumption in some cases, the affected system operates intermittently or not at all.

The engine control module logs code P1690 when its internal self-test detects a problem with the sensor or actuator circuits tied to the metering oil pump stepping motor. This falls under the powertrain category of OBD2 codes, which means it affects engine or transmission operation. P1690 specifically flags a metering oil pump stepping motor circuit malfunction — essentially, the control system couldn't verify that the component was responding correctly to commands.

Unlike a straightforward open or short circuit, a "malfunction" classification in P1690 means the fault could live inside the stepping motor itself, within the wiring, or even in the control module's driver circuitry. The ECU performs a self-check by comparing actual sensor readings and actuator responses against factory-calibrated parameters. This test usually runs across multiple drive cycles before the light triggers, helping prevent false alarms from temporary glitches.

When the module confirms P1690, it simultaneously saves a freeze frame snapshot — engine RPM, load percentage, coolant temperature, and vehicle speed captured at the exact moment of failure. That data is gold for diagnosis because it tells you exactly what conditions triggered the fault, letting you reproduce the problem rather than chase phantom symptoms.

Symptoms

Check Engine Light illuminated on the dashboard
Possible limp-mode activation depending on which circuit failed
Fuel consumption may increase if the metering oil pump isn't regulating properly
The affected circuit operates intermittently or stops working entirely
Reduced engine performance in some vehicle applications

Causes

Wiring damage — breaks, corrosion, or chafing causing the self-test to fail
Failed internal metering oil pump stepping motor
Faulty driver circuit inside the control module itself
Poor or corroded ground connection at the circuit
Loose, damaged, or corroded electrical connector
Blown fuse protecting the affected circuit
Failed sensor or actuator sharing the same circuit
Open circuit or short-to-ground in the wiring harness

How to Diagnose P1690

Connect an OBD2 scanner and confirm P1690 is stored in the ECU. Before clearing anything, record the freeze frame data — it tells you engine speed, load, and temperature conditions when the failure occurred.
Pull all stored codes from the module. Related faults often point to the real culprit — a failing sensor upstream can cascade into a stepping motor malfunction code.
Inspect the wiring harness and connectors for the metering oil pump stepping motor. Look for damaged insulation, green corrosion buildup, bent pins, or loose fitment that would allow moisture intrusion.
If your scanner supports bidirectional controls, run the actuator test for the stepping motor. A component that ignores direct commands from the scanner is confirmed defective.
With the connector unplugged, measure reference voltage at the supply pin, verify ground continuity at the ground pin, and check signal line resistance through to the control module.
Perform a wiggle test on the harness while monitoring live data — any signal dropouts indicate broken strands inside the wire that aren't yet completely open.
Clear the code and complete a drive cycle that recreates the freeze frame conditions. If P1690 returns, the fault is confirmed and present under normal operation.

Repair Options

Addressing P1690 means working through the root cause. The cheapest and most common issues resolve first:

Replace failed sensor or actuator in the circuit — $150–$500
Repair damaged wiring or connector issues — $80–$250
Control module driver repair or replacement — $300–$1,000

Cost Breakdown

Final cost depends entirely on what component triggered P1690. Independent shop rates for parts and labor in USD typically break down as follows: sensor or actuator replacement runs $150–$500, wiring harness or connector repairs cost $80–$250, and control module service or replacement ranges $300–$1,000. The full repair bill for P1690 usually lands between $80 and $1,000. A methodical diagnosis before purchasing parts prevents unnecessary spending — the most expensive repair is rarely the first thing to try.

Can You Drive with P1690?

For most vehicles, P1690 does not immediately disable the car. You can continue driving, though you may notice reduced performance or an auxiliary system operating in failsafe mode. Prioritize repair within a reasonable timeframe — delaying fixes allows underlying issues to worsen. If the vehicle exhibits stalling, no-start conditions, or warnings affecting brakes and steering, treat it as urgent and address immediately.