P0202: The fuel injector circuit for cylinder 2 has a fault
Injector Circuit Malfunction -- Cylinder 2
There is a fault in the cylinder 2 fuel injector circuit, which causes a misfire. Get it checked today. If the light is flashing, stop driving: raw fuel overheats the catalytic converter.
Stop driving and get help if
- The check engine light is flashing
- The temperature gauge runs high, or you see steam (overheating)
- The car loses power, hesitates badly or stalls
- You smell burning or see smoke
- A brake warning light comes on, or the brakes feel different
Pull over as soon as you can, turn the engine off, and call a tow or roadside help.
What it means
P0202 is the cylinder 2 version of P0201. The PCM sent a command to fire the cylinder 2 injector and did not see the expected electrical response. This is an electrical circuit diagnosis, not a fuel flow test. The injector may be open-circuited, shorted, or disconnected. Because cylinder 2 is receiving no fuel, it will misfire and P0302 is likely stored alongside this code. The unburned oxygen in that cylinder passes through the exhaust and damages the catalytic converter if the condition persists.
Common causes
- Wiring harness open or short to the cylinder 2 injectorInspect the harness between the PCM and injector for chafing, heat damage, or rodent damage.
- Failed cylinder 2 injector solenoidMeasure resistance. Out-of-spec resistance confirms a dead injector coil.
- Damaged injector connector on cylinder 2Corroded or melted connector pins break the circuit even when the injector itself is fine.
- PCM injector driver failureUncommon. Confirm wiring and injector are both good before suspecting the PCM.
What the fix could involve
From the cheaper fix to the bigger one. Prices depend on your car, your area and the shop, so ask for a written quote that names the part and the labor before you approve it.
- Wiring or connector repair
- Fuel injector replacement (single)
- PCM diagnosis and replacement
Symptoms
- Check engine light on, steady or flashing
- Engine shake and rough idle
- Reduced power
- P0302 (cylinder 2 misfire) likely stored alongside
- Fuel economy drop
What to do next
Start with a resistance check at the injector connector. Then trace the wiring back toward the PCM if resistance is in spec. If you can swap connectors from adjacent injectors, do so to narrow down whether the fault follows the connector or stays at cylinder 2. Fix the circuit fault first; the accompanying misfire code should clear once fuel delivery is restored.
Lewis reads P0202 alongside any misfire codes for cylinder 2, so you can confirm the injector fault is causing a misfire before you start pulling connectors. Get Lewis on the App Store or Google Play.
Related codes
FAQ
- Is P0202 always a bad injector?
- No. It is a circuit code. The injector may be fine but electrically disconnected due to wiring or connector damage. Test resistance first before buying a part.
- Can I drive on five cylinders?
- It is not something to rely on. A dead injector means a misfiring cylinder. Get it checked today. If the light is flashing, stop now: raw fuel is reaching the catalytic converter.
- Why does cylinder 2 damage the catalytic converter?
- The dead cylinder passes raw oxygen and any remaining unburned fuel directly into the exhaust. The converter overheats trying to combust it.
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