A direct injection fuel injector (10) and method of operation wherein high fuel pressure exerting an opening force on an injection valve (76, 78) is slightly overbalanced by a return spring (82) tending to close the valve. A first solenoid (62) acts to open the valve against the excess return spring force and a second solenoid (50) acts to close the valve when the first solenoid is de-energized. Rapid valve closing is provided by energizing the second solenoid (50) before de-energizing the first solenoid (62), the force of the second solenoid when the valve is open being insufficient to overcome the force of the first solenoid holding the valve open. Thus, the second solenoid magnetic force is fully developed and quickly closes the injection valve when the first solenoid is de-energized. Various additional features are disclosed.
