OBD codes / P0205
P0205
SeriousInjector Circuit/Open - Cylinder 5
Severity 3 — fix promptly. A dead cylinder 5 sends unburned fuel into the exhaust, where it can overheat the catalytic converter and turn a wiring repair into a four-figure exhaust job. Keep driving gentle and minimal until it's sorted, and stop if the light flashes.
What this code means
When the engine computer commands the cylinder 5 injector to open, it monitors the circuit's voltage and current for the expected signature. P0205 records that the signature was wrong — the circuit was open, shorted, or showed out-of-range resistance. That distinction matters for diagnosis: this is an electrical fault, not a clogged injector, so cleaning additives won't touch it. Cylinder 5 only exists on engines with five or more cylinders — inline-fives, V6s, V8s, and larger. The realistic causes are a corroded or unplugged injector connector, harness wiring that has rubbed through, or an injector whose internal coil winding has opened or shorted; a failed driver inside the engine computer is the rare exception. With cylinder 5 starved of fuel, the paired misfire code P0305 usually sets too.
Symptoms you might notice
- Persistent misfire on cylinder 5, typically with P0305 alongside
- Rough or lumpy idle
- Reduced power — the engine feels like it's dragging a dead cylinder
- Check-engine light, possibly flashing during the misfire
- Hard starting in some cases
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 |
Cylinder 5 lives on larger engines, and many V6s and V8s tuck their injectors under the intake manifold — when the manifold has to come off, labor climbs well past the simple-access figure. Ranges assume common gasoline port or direct injection; diesel injectors are far more expensive.
The price swings on which cause it turns out to be — so confirm the cause before paying. Diagnose P0205 for my exact vehicle →
Frequently asked
Can I test the cylinder 5 injector at home?
Yes, with a basic multimeter. Unplug the injector connector and measure resistance across the injector's two pins, then compare against another cylinder on the same engine — they should read close to identical. An open reading or a big mismatch condemns the injector; a normal reading points at the wiring or connector.
Is driving with P0205 risky?
The engine will usually run, but the misfiring cylinder feeds raw fuel to the catalytic converter, which doesn't tolerate that for long. Gentle, short-distance driving is a reasonable stopgap; a flashing check-engine light is not — that means stop.
Where is cylinder 5?
It depends entirely on your engine's numbering scheme, which varies by manufacturer. On many V6s and V8s cylinder 5 is mid-bank on one side, but conventions differ, so check the layout diagram for your specific engine rather than guessing.
How much will the repair run?
A connector or wiring fix is inexpensive. An injector replacement is a moderate part cost plus labor that ranges from half an hour on easy-access engines to two hours or more where the intake manifold must be removed — common on the V engines that have a cylinder 5.
Seeing P0205 on your car? Get a diagnosis specific to your exact year, make and model.
Diagnose P0205 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.