OBD codes / P0265
P0265
ModerateCylinder 2 Injector Circuit High
An erratic cylinder 2 sends unburned fuel into the exhaust stream, which can overheat and damage the catalytic converter if driven on for long. Keep trips short and gentle until it's fixed, and treat a flashing check-engine light as a signal to stop driving and get help.
What this code means
When the ECM pulses the cylinder 2 injector, it expects the circuit voltage to follow a predictable pattern — P0265 sets when that voltage runs higher than expected. Common culprits are a short to battery voltage somewhere in the harness, or unwanted resistance from a corroded connector, a damaged terminal, or an injector winding that has failed open. It's worth stressing that this is an electrical-path fault: a mechanically dirty or clogged injector produces different evidence, usually just a misfire code. Since only cylinder 2 is implicated, comparing components against a healthy cylinder isolates the problem quickly, and a swap test settles whether the injector or the harness is at fault. P0265 frequently travels with P0202 and P0302, its circuit and misfire companions for the same cylinder. Check your engine's cylinder-numbering diagram, because layouts differ by manufacturer.
Symptoms you might notice
- Dead or intermittent cylinder 2 causing rough running
- Shaking at idle that may smooth out at higher rpm
- Loss of power and reduced fuel economy
- Check-engine light, flashing if the misfire is severe
- Occasionally no symptoms when the fault is 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 |
If it turns out to be a corroded pin or chafed wire, the repair is cheap. An injector replacement is the pricier path, especially on V-engines where the intake must come off, or direct-injection engines whose injectors cost considerably more.
The price swings on which cause it turns out to be — so confirm the cause before paying. Diagnose P0265 for my exact vehicle →
Frequently asked
P0265 vs P0264 — what's the difference?
Both concern the cylinder 2 injector circuit; the difference is which way the voltage went wrong. P0264 (low) points toward a short to ground or shorted injector coil. P0265 (high) points toward an open circuit, added resistance from corrosion, or a short to battery voltage.
Could this just be a corroded connector?
Very possibly — a corroded or loose injector connector is one of the most common causes of a circuit-high code, because oxidized pins add resistance. Unplugging the connector and inspecting the terminals for green or white corrosion is a smart first step before buying an injector.
How urgent is P0265?
Moderately. The car will usually still drive, but a cylinder that fires erratically or not at all risks catalytic converter damage from unburned fuel. Plan the repair within days rather than weeks, and stop driving if the check-engine light flashes.
Why do I also have P0302?
P0302 is the misfire code for the same cylinder. The circuit fault P0265 describes keeps the injector from delivering fuel correctly, cylinder 2 misfires, and both codes store. Fix the electrical fault and the misfire code should stop returning.
Seeing P0265 on your car? Get a diagnosis specific to your exact year, make and model.
Diagnose P0265 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.