Low pressure at fuel rail?

P00C6 "Fuel Rail Pressure Low During Engine Cranking."

This means the high-pressure pump has gone out, also, when the pump is out, I would use a flashlight to look at the condition of the camshaft to make sure the fuel pump activation lobe is not ground down. Check out the images (below). Please upload pictures or videos of the problem so we can see what's going on.

The wording in part of the answer didn't make sense. Right after you said this means the high-pressure pump has gone out but I went? Do I unbolt the HPFP to inspect the cam lobe? No Schrader valve to release or test pressure at the rail but the average gauge wouldn't measure it that high?

I did some more studying and it's very straightforward and easy. I'll inspect the cam tomorrow. I'm assuming if the follower isn't worn through the lobe might be okay. Is it common for this pump to fail? 164k I found out. Is it common for the lobe to wear excessively? Is this a known issue for Ford? Any TSB or recall? This truck was purchased used and is out of warranty.

There isn't any recall I know of, but you can call the dealer to find out, yes, the high pressure pumps do go out. When you replace the pump inspect the lobe, if it looks okay then go ahead and replace the pump. Please let me know what happens.

19 degrees out. Going to check it right now.

Celsius, I hope?

Nope, Fahrenheit. Here's what the pump and lobe look like. I think they look good, no excessive wear.

Brrrrrr... :/ thanks for the images, I would replace the pump and then clear the codes, let me know what happens please.

Waiting for the pump to come. Before I put it in, I'll remove the follower and look at the actual lobe. I don't expect excessive wear, but I'll check the roller for free movement.

Good call, let me know how it goes with the new pump, also if you think you see wear and the cam after the follower has been removed please upload an image.

19 degrees F, so waiting for mid to high 30s tomorrow.

Sounds good.

I inspected the lobe and follower. No wear and the roller spins freely and is oiled. This looks like good news. Lol

Yep, that is good news. Let me know what happens after you install the new high pressure fuel pump.

Will do. I hope it resolves all the issues. I'm not one to just throw parts at a problem.

I installed the new high-pressure pump, and the same codes came back. Still misfiring on number 2. The exhaust smelled like raw fuel upon startup. It still cranking for 3 to 5 seconds before it fires.

I went back to basics. Did a coil swap with #2 and#5. No change. Pulled #2 plug and it was wet with gas. Dried it out and swapped with #5 and #2 wet fouled again. Sticky injector or no pulse. I didn't test with noid light yet. I am not familiar with direct injection and have read the injectors can break off. Any ideas?

It could be a low compression issue; can I ask if you cleared the code, and did it come back? I was thinking maybe the lift pump in the tank could not be supplying the fuel to the high-pressure pump, let's run a fuel pressure test on the low-pressure system to see if that is the problem. Also let's check the compression on #2.

These guides should help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Engine running 55.1 - 75.4 psi (380 - 520 kPa)
KOEO 58 psi (400 kPa)

Please go over these guides and get back to us.

With the weather so cold my friend took the Explorer to a shop. Turned out it was one or more bad injectors like I thought. Just too cold to do outside. At least I got the diagnosis correct.

Glad you could get it fixed, thanks for letting us know. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.