P0261 to P0296 and related codes: injector circuits and cylinder balance
The injector circuit of one cylinder, from 1 to 12, reads low or high, that cylinder contributes too much or too little to the engine's power (contribution or balance), a cold start injector has a fault, or the injection timing control circuit does.
SeverityHighCarrying on can cause expensive damage, so deal with it now.
Can you keep driving?Only as far as the workshopWhat does P0261 mean?
Where P0201 to P0212 say an injector circuit is open, these codes describe a short to ground or to the supply on one cylinder's injector, or a cylinder whose share of the work is out of line. The computer measures that share from tiny changes in crankshaft speed after each firing, so a balance code means one cylinder is getting too much or too little fuel, or is losing compression. Cold start injectors are found on older gasoline engines, and injection timing control on some diesel pumps.
What causes P0261?
- A shorted injector coil or a chafed injector wire
- A clogged, leaking or worn injector, for the balance codes
- Low compression on that cylinder, which also shows as poor balance
- A damaged injector harness, often under the intake manifold or valve cover
- Contaminated fuel affecting several injectors
What to check first for P0261
- Note which cylinder the code names and whether there is also a misfire code for it
- Measure the injector resistance and check its wiring for a short
- On a diesel, have the injector correction or balance values read on a scan tool
- Have a compression test done on that cylinder if the injector tests good
Can you drive with P0261?
Drive only to a workshop and gently. A cylinder with too much or too little fuel can misfire, smoke or knock, and a leaking injector can wash oil off the cylinder wall; stop and have the car towed if the engine shakes hard, smokes heavily or the check engine light flashes.
In states with an OBD-II emissions inspection, a car with the check engine light on fails the test until the fault is fixed.
Codes on this page
39
- P0213Cold Start Injector 1
- P0214Cold Start Injector 2
- P0216Injector/Injection Timing Control Circuit
- P0261Cylinder 1 Injector Circuit Low
- P0262Cylinder 1 Injector Circuit High
- P0263Cylinder 1 Contribution/Balance
- P0264Cylinder 2 Injector Circuit Low
- P0265Cylinder 2 Injector Circuit High
- P0266Cylinder 2 Contribution/Balance
- P0267Cylinder 3 Injector Circuit Low
- P0268Cylinder 3 Injector Circuit High
- P0269Cylinder 3 Contribution/Balance
- P0270Cylinder 4 Injector Circuit Low
- P0271Cylinder 4 Injector Circuit High
- P0272Cylinder 4 Contribution/Balance
- P0273Cylinder 5 Injector Circuit Low
- P0274Cylinder 5 Injector Circuit High
- P0275Cylinder 5 Contribution/Balance
- P0276Cylinder 6 Injector Circuit Low
- P0277Cylinder 6 Injector Circuit High
- P0278Cylinder 6 Contribution/Balance
- P0279Cylinder 7 Injector Circuit Low
- P0280Cylinder 7 Injector Circuit High
- P0281Cylinder 7 Contribution/Balance
- P0282Cylinder 8 Injector Circuit Low
- P0283Cylinder 8 Injector Circuit High
- P0284Cylinder 8 Contribution/Balance
- P0285Cylinder 9 Injector Circuit Low
- P0286Cylinder 9 Injector Circuit High
- P0287Cylinder 9 Contribution/Balance
- P0288Cylinder 10 Injector Circuit Low
- P0289Cylinder 10 Injector Circuit High
- P0290Cylinder 10 Contribution/Balance
- P0291Cylinder 11 Injector Circuit Low
- P0292Cylinder 11 Injector Circuit High
- P0293Cylinder 11 Contribution/Balance
- P0294Cylinder 12 Injector Circuit Low
- P0295Cylinder 12 Injector Circuit High
- P0296Cylinder 12 Contribution/Balance
Related codes
Checked on · Rafael Soares
These are the generic meanings every manufacturer shares. Each brand adds its own detail, so your car's handbook, its service information and a qualified mechanic have the last word. OdoKeep has no connection with any manufacturer, and the app does not read codes from the car.
