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?

For a short distance at low speed if the light is steady. A flashing light means stop now.

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.

Codes › P0202

P0202: The fuel injector circuit for cylinder 2 has a fault

Injector Circuit Malfunction -- Cylinder 2

High severityCan you keep driving?

Drive with caution. A dead injector causes a misfire. If the check engine light is flashing, stop driving immediately. Continued driving with a misfire destroys the catalytic converter.

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 it costs

Wiring or connector repair$80 to $250
Fuel injector replacement (single)$150 to $400 installed
PCM diagnosis and replacement$500 to $1,200

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 shows cylinder-by-cylinder misfire counts and injector pulse data so you can confirm cylinder 2 is the dead cylinder before you start pulling connectors. Download Lewis.

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?: For a short distance at low speed if the light is steady. A flashing light means stop now.
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.