OBD codes / P0202
P0202
SeriousInjector Circuit/Open - Cylinder 2
A cylinder that isn't burning its fuel pushes that fuel into the exhaust, where it can overheat the catalytic converter. That makes P0202 a fix-it-soon code: severity 3. Keep speeds and throttle gentle in the meantime, and stop driving if the check-engine light starts flashing.
What this code means
P0202 means the engine computer detected a problem in the electrical circuit that drives the cylinder 2 fuel injector — an open circuit, a short to power or ground, or resistance outside the expected range. It's worth stressing that this is a wiring-and-electronics code, not a fuel-quality or clogged-injector code; a dirty injector still conducts electricity normally and won't trigger it. Typical causes are a connector that has worked loose or corroded, a wire rubbed through somewhere along the harness, or an injector whose internal coil winding has failed. In rare cases the driver transistor inside the engine computer is the problem. With no reliable injector pulse, cylinder 2 usually goes dead, so the paired misfire code P0302 often shows up at the same time.
Symptoms you might notice
- Dead or weak cylinder 2 — the engine feels down a cylinder
- Rough, uneven idle
- Companion misfire code P0302 stored alongside
- Check-engine light, possibly flashing while the misfire is active
- Harder starting than normal
What it costs to fix
Typical range: $80–$550 · about ~0.5–2 hrs of labor
| If the cause is… | Part | Labor |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel injector (single) | $50–$300 | ~0.5–2 hrs |
| Wiring / connector repair | $10–$60 | ~0.5–1.5 hrs |
The injector itself is a moderate part; labor depends almost entirely on access. Engines that hide the injectors under the intake manifold cost noticeably more to work on. These figures assume a common gasoline port or direct-injection engine — diesel injectors are a different, much more expensive category.
The price swings on which cause it turns out to be — so confirm the cause before paying. Diagnose P0202 for my exact vehicle →
Frequently asked
Where is cylinder 2 on my engine?
It depends on the make — cylinder numbering differs between manufacturers and between inline and V engines. On some V engines cylinder 2 is on the opposite bank from cylinder 1. Check a cylinder-layout diagram for your specific engine before pulling anything apart.
Could P0202 just be a clogged injector?
No — a clogged injector is a mechanical blockage, and its electrical circuit still measures normal, so it sets misfire or lean codes instead. P0202 specifically means the electrical circuit is open, shorted, or out of range, which points to the connector, the wiring, or the injector's internal coil.
Is it safe to keep driving with P0202?
Briefly and gently, yes, but don't put it off. The dead cylinder's unburned fuel can cook the catalytic converter — an expensive part to sacrifice over what is often a cheap wiring fix. A flashing check-engine light means stop and get it towed or repaired.
What does it cost to fix P0202?
If it's a corroded connector or a chafed wire, very little. A new injector is a moderate part cost with half an hour to two hours of labor — more on V engines where the intake must come off, and far more on diesel or high-pressure direct-injection setups.
Seeing P0202 on your car? Get a diagnosis specific to your exact year, make and model.
Diagnose P0202 for my vehicleRelated trouble codes
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Generic OBD-II reference. Manufacturer-specific behavior varies — confirm with a scan tool and, for safety-related codes, a professional inspection.