OBD codes / P0262
P0262
ModerateCylinder 1 Injector Circuit High
If cylinder 1 is dropping out, unburned fuel heads into the exhaust and can cook the catalytic converter over time. Driving gently for a short period is usually okay with a steady light, but a flashing check-engine light or a strong misfire means stop pushing it and get the circuit repaired promptly.
What this code means
P0262 is the high-side counterpart to P0261: the engine computer detected voltage on the cylinder 1 injector circuit that was higher than it expected. The usual suspects are a wire shorted to battery voltage, or excessive resistance from a corroded connector, a broken strand of wire, or an injector winding that has drifted out of spec or failed open. Either way this is a fault in the electrical path, not a mechanically clogged nozzle — fuel quality and injector cleaners will not fix it. The code is cylinder-specific, so a side-by-side comparison with a known-good cylinder narrows things down quickly. It commonly appears with P0201 (cylinder 1 injector circuit) and P0301 (cylinder 1 misfire). Keep in mind that cylinder numbering varies between manufacturers, so confirm where cylinder 1 sits on your particular engine.
Symptoms you might notice
- Cylinder 1 misfire, stumble, or dead cylinder
- Rough idle, sometimes worse when the engine is hot or cold
- Noticeable power loss under acceleration
- Check-engine light; a flashing light means an active misfire
- Intermittent faults may store the code with no felt symptoms
What it costs to fix
Typical range: $60–$450 · 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 | $5–$50 | ~0.5–2 hrs |
Connector cleaning or a pin repair is inexpensive; a replacement injector costs more. V-engines that require intake manifold removal to reach the injectors, and direct-injection setups with pricier injectors, land at the top of the range.
The price swings on which cause it turns out to be — so confirm the cause before paying. Diagnose P0262 for my exact vehicle →
Frequently asked
What's the difference between P0262 and P0261?
They watch the same cylinder 1 injector circuit but in opposite directions. P0261 (low) usually means a short to ground or a shorted injector coil; P0262 (high) usually means an open circuit, corrosion-added resistance, or a short to battery voltage. The direction of the fault is a diagnostic clue.
Will an injector cleaner additive fix P0262?
No. This is an electrical fault in the injector's circuit, not a fuel-flow restriction. Cleaners address deposits inside the nozzle; they do nothing for a corroded connector, a broken wire, or a failed injector winding.
Why does P0262 come and go?
Corroded pins and chafed wires often make contact intermittently — the fault appears when heat, vibration, or moisture changes the connection, then disappears. That on-again, off-again behavior is itself a strong hint that the harness or connector, not the injector body, is the problem.
Is it safe to drive with P0262?
For short distances with a steady light and mild symptoms, generally yes. But an erratic or dead cylinder risks catalytic converter damage, so don't treat it as a someday repair — and if the light flashes, back off the throttle and get it seen quickly.
Seeing P0262 on your car? Get a diagnosis specific to your exact year, make and model.
Diagnose P0262 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.