P0208 code: Injector Circuit/Open - Cylinder 8
P0208 means injector Circuit/Open - Cylinder 8. The code says where to look, not what failed — the fix depends on which cause your car actually has.
What P0208 means
P0208 sets when the engine computer detects that the cylinder 8 injector circuit is electrically wrong — open, shorted, or reading a resistance outside the expected band when the injector is pulsed. You'll only see this on engines with eight or more cylinders. It's important to separate this from fuel-delivery problems: the code is about electricity, not flow, so a clogged injector won't cause it and injector-cleaner additives won't fix it. In order of likelihood, look at the injector's connector (corrosion, backed-out terminals, or simply unplugged), the harness wiring (chafe points against brackets and manifold edges are classic), and the injector's internal coil winding. The engine computer's driver transistor fails only rarely. A dead cylinder 8 also means the P0308 misfire code is a frequent companion.
P0208 symptoms
- Cylinder 8 misfire, usually with P0308 stored as well
- Uneven, rough idle
- The 'dead cylinder' feel — sluggish response and lost power
- Check-engine light on, flashing under an active misfire
- Hard starting on some engines
What it costs to fix P0208
Typical range: $80–$600 · 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 |
On many V8s the injectors sit under the intake manifold, so a single-injector job carries manifold-removal labor and gaskets — that's the difference between the low and high ends here. Figures assume gasoline port or direct injection; diesel V8 injectors cost several times these ranges.
The price swings on which cause it turns out to be — so confirm the cause before paying. Diagnose P0208 for my exact vehicle →
How to fix P0208
Moderate — doable at home with common tools and patience
- Find the rear corner that holds cylinder 8
Cylinder 8 is usually at the back of a V8, close to the firewall and sometimes under the cowl or brake booster, but which bank depends on the maker's numbering. Confirm on a diagram, then bring a mirror and good light — this connector is often easier to feel than to see.
- Seat the connector and check its latch
Rear-corner injector plugs get bumped during spark plug changes and heater-hose work. Press the cylinder 8 plug firmly home and feel for the latch; with a broken retaining clip it can sit almost seated, pass a glance, and still lose contact on rough roads.
- Test the injector before lifting the rail
Measure injector 8's winding at its pins and compare with a couple of other injectors. A clear open or short settles it. A reading that looks normal cold doesn't fully clear an injector whose winding opens up only when hot, which is where the next step comes in.
- Swap injectors to settle an intermittent fault
After relieving fuel pressure, lift the rail and exchange injector 8 with one from an easier position. Drive until the code returns: if it now names the other cylinder, the injector is faulty; if P0208 comes back unchanged, the harness or the computer is responsible.
- Repair the wiring or replace the injector
Replace the injector the swap test convicted, using new O-rings. If the wiring is to blame, repair it with solder and heat-shrink and secure it away from the exhaust. Only after that should an engine-computer driver fault be considered, and confirming it is best left to a shop.
DIY or shop? Reaching cylinder 8 is the main obstacle: in a roomy truck engine bay it is normal DIY work, while vans, tightly packed sedans, and engines with the booster or cowl overhanging the rear cylinders make it slow and awkward. The swap test means lifting the fuel rail, so be comfortable with fuel-system work. Direct-injection versions, any intake-off access, and engine-computer diagnosis are reasonable points to let a shop finish the job.
Tools for the DIY steps: Inspection mirror and flashlight · Digital multimeter · Fuel line disconnect tool · Fuel injector O-ring kit · Swivel-head ratchet and extensions
Not sure which step applies to your car? Get the likely cause for your exact vehicle before buying anything for P0208.
Start a case with P0208 and your car. Redline weighs these causes against what your car shows, and names the check that would settle it before you buy parts.
Can I drive with P0208?
Redline can’t determine from a symptom or code alone whether your car is safe to drive.
P0208: common questions
Why does my truck still drive fine with P0208?
With eight cylinders, losing one costs power but the engine stays fairly smooth, so the problem feels minor. The hidden cost is the catalytic converter absorbing that cylinder's unburned fuel — which is why this code rates a prompt fix even when the truck feels okay.
How does the injector swap test work for P0208?
Move the cylinder 8 injector to a neighboring cylinder and put that cylinder's injector in position 8, then clear codes and drive. If the code changes to the other cylinder's number, the injector is bad. If P0208 returns, the fault is in the cylinder 8 wiring, connector, or computer.
What will this cost on a V8 with the injectors under the intake?
The injector itself is a moderate part, but intake-off access adds labor and a manifold gasket set, putting you toward the upper end of typical estimates. The silver lining: while the intake is off, inspecting the other injectors and connectors is nearly free.
I also have P0308 — is that a separate problem?
Almost certainly not. P0308 is the cylinder 8 misfire code, and a cylinder whose injector circuit is dead will misfire every cycle. Repair the P0208 circuit fault first; the misfire code should not return once the injector fires normally.
Related trouble codes
Don’t have a scanner yet? A ~$25 Bluetooth adapter reads codes like P0208 from your phone. See our guide to the best OBD2 Bluetooth adapters. Run a repair shop? See Redline for shops.
Generic OBD-II reference. Manufacturer-specific behavior varies. Confirm with a scan tool and, for safety-related codes, a professional inspection. Cost ranges are reference ranges, not quotes.
Seeing P0208 on your car?
Every problem becomes a Case. Tell Redline what the car is doing: it shows what the evidence supports, what’s still missing, and what to check next, before you approve a repair.
“Inner pad ~1 mm. Outer pad 3 mm.”
Next: check the slide pins move freely before buying parts.