OBD codes / P0267
P0267
ModerateCylinder 3 Injector Circuit Low
When the cylinder 3 injector circuit acts up, that cylinder runs dead or erratic and unburned fuel flows into the exhaust — the catalytic converter pays the price if this drags on. Drive gently and briefly if you must, fix it promptly, and stop driving if the check-engine light starts flashing.
What this code means
This code is about wiring and electronics, not fuel quality: the ECM saw voltage on the cylinder 3 injector control circuit drop below the expected range. That usually means a short to ground in the harness, an open circuit, or an injector whose internal coil has shorted. A mechanically clogged injector will not set this code — it starves the cylinder of fuel but leaves the electrical circuit intact. Because P0267 names cylinder 3 specifically, you can compare that injector and its wiring directly against a known-good cylinder, which makes diagnosis relatively straightforward. It pairs with P0203 (cylinder 3 injector circuit) and P0303 (cylinder 3 misfire), and seeing those together is normal. One caution before turning wrenches: manufacturers number cylinders differently, so confirm which one is cylinder 3 on your engine's layout.
Symptoms you might notice
- Misfire or dropout on cylinder 3
- Rough, uneven idle and vibration
- Reduced power and hesitation under load
- Check-engine light, flashing if the misfire is active
- May store with no symptoms if the fault is fleeting
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 |
Most of the cost is finding the fault; the wire or connector repair itself is cheap. A replacement injector is the bigger expense, and both parts and labor rise on V-type engines with buried injectors and on direct-injection systems.
The price swings on which cause it turns out to be — so confirm the cause before paying. Diagnose P0267 for my exact vehicle →
Frequently asked
What does P0267 actually mean?
The engine computer measured lower-than-expected voltage on the cylinder 3 injector's control circuit. In practice that means a short to ground, a damaged wire, or an injector coil that has failed electrically — the injector isn't being driven the way the ECM intends.
Injector or wiring — which should I check first?
Start with the cheap check: unplug the cylinder 3 injector connector and measure the injector's resistance. If it matches the other cylinders, move on to the harness and connector. If it reads near zero or open, the injector itself has failed.
Can I still drive the car with P0267?
Short, easy trips are usually tolerable with a steady light, but a misfiring cylinder is actively feeding raw fuel to the catalytic converter. Treat it as urgent-ish: repair within days, and pull over if the light flashes or the engine shakes hard.
Why is P0303 stored along with P0267?
P0303 reports the misfire on cylinder 3; P0267 explains why — the injector circuit isn't working. When a circuit code and a misfire code share a cylinder, diagnose the electrical fault first, since fixing it usually resolves both.
Seeing P0267 on your car? Get a diagnosis specific to your exact year, make and model.
Diagnose P0267 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.