OBD codes / P0264
P0264
ModerateCylinder 2 Injector Circuit Low
A faulty injector circuit tends to kill or destabilize cylinder 2, and the unburned fuel from a dead cylinder is hard on the catalytic converter. It's usually drivable for a short time with a steady light, but this is a repair to schedule promptly — and a flashing light means stop driving hard immediately.
What this code means
The ECM drives each fuel injector individually and checks that the voltage on each control circuit behaves as expected when the injector fires. P0264 means the cylinder 2 injector circuit read lower than it should — typically a wire shorted to ground, a break in the circuit, or an injector coil that has shorted internally. Because this is a wiring-and-electronics code rather than a fuel-delivery code, it is distinct from a clogged injector, which would misfire without tripping a circuit fault. The cylinder-specific nature is your friend: compare cylinder 2's injector resistance and wiring to any other cylinder to isolate the fault fast. Expect to see P0202 (cylinder 2 injector circuit) or P0302 (cylinder 2 misfire) stored alongside it. Cylinder numbering differs across manufacturers, so verify which physical cylinder is number 2 on your engine before starting.
Symptoms you might notice
- Misfire on cylinder 2, felt as roughness or shaking at idle
- Hesitation or power loss when accelerating
- Check-engine light, possibly flashing during an active misfire
- Companion codes P0202 or P0302 stored
- No noticeable symptoms if the fault is brief and intermittent
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 |
Wiring fixes are cheap once the fault is located — the diagnosis is most of the labor. Injector replacement costs more, and climbs on V-type engines needing intake removal or on direct-injection engines with more expensive injectors.
The price swings on which cause it turns out to be — so confirm the cause before paying. Diagnose P0264 for my exact vehicle →
Frequently asked
Does P0264 mean my injector is clogged?
No — a clogged injector is a mechanical restriction and typically shows up as a misfire code alone. P0264 is the ECM reporting an electrical problem on the cylinder 2 injector circuit: low voltage from a short to ground, damaged wiring, or a failed injector coil.
How do I tell if it's the injector or the harness?
Measure the injector's resistance: if it matches its siblings, the injector is probably fine and the harness or connector is suspect. Swapping cylinder 2's injector with a neighbor is the definitive test — if the code moves to the other cylinder, the injector is bad; if it stays on cylinder 2, it's the wiring or ECM side.
Can I drive with P0264 until my appointment?
Light, short driving with a steady check-engine light is usually acceptable. Avoid hard acceleration, and if the light starts flashing or the engine shakes badly, that misfire is actively risking the catalytic converter — get it towed or seen straight away.
Why did P0264 and P0302 set together?
They're describing cause and effect. P0264 flags the electrical fault on the cylinder 2 injector circuit; with the injector not firing properly, cylinder 2 misfires and P0302 sets. Repairing the circuit typically clears both.
Seeing P0264 on your car? Get a diagnosis specific to your exact year, make and model.
Diagnose P0264 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.