SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A FUEL INJECTOR

Methods and systems for operating a direct fuel injector of an internal combustion engine are described. In one example, a nozzle needle is moved in two directions to maintain fuel flow through the direct fuel injector and to reduce the possibility of the nozzle needle impacting a piezoelectric actuator. The method and system may permit long fuel injection times without causing undesirable impacts between components of a fuel injector.