OBD codes / P0208
P0208
SeriousInjector Circuit/Open - Cylinder 8
Running an eight-cylinder engine on seven feels tolerable, which tempts owners to wait — don't. The unburned fuel from cylinder 8 flows into the catalytic converter and can overheat it into failure. Drive lightly and briefly until repaired; a flashing check-engine light means stop driving.
What this code 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.
Symptoms you might notice
- 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
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 →
Frequently asked
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.
Seeing P0208 on your car? Get a diagnosis specific to your exact year, make and model.
Diagnose P0208 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.