An energize-to-close solenoid operated spool type inlet control valve for a high pressure fuel pump is variably positionable relative to a sleeve having three inlet feed ports and the inlet check valve member, to implement three stages of pump operation: limp-home, low-pressure flow from the low-pressure feed pump to the common rail, no flow to the common rail, and metered quantity of flow to the common rail. The spool valve includes an axially extending internal passage fluidly connected to a fluid volume at the front end of the spool valve, and a control port at the back end of the spool valve, selectively alignable to fluidly connect the ports. Two springs of different lengths either alone or together, bias the spool valve toward opening of the inlet check valve.