OBD codes / P0274
P0274
ModerateCylinder 5 Injector Circuit High
If cylinder 5 isn't firing cleanly, its unburned fuel ends up in the catalytic converter, which can overheat with continued driving. Keep mileage low and throttle light until repaired; a flashing check-engine light means park it and arrange diagnosis.
What this code means
P0274 records higher-than-expected voltage on the cylinder 5 injector control circuit. That direction of fault usually means one of two things: the circuit is touching battery voltage somewhere it shouldn't, or extra resistance has crept in — through a corroded connector, a damaged terminal, or an injector winding that has gone open or drifted out of spec. Because the injector monitor watches electricity rather than fuel flow, this code is distinct from a clogged nozzle, which shows up as a plain misfire instead. Only cylinder 5 is named, so testing against a healthy cylinder quickly separates a bad injector from bad wiring. P0205 (circuit) and P0305 (misfire) are its natural companions for the same cylinder. Verify where cylinder 5 sits on your particular engine, since numbering schemes differ between manufacturers and layouts.
Symptoms you might notice
- Cylinder 5 misfire, from occasional stumble to fully dead
- Rough idle and vibration through the cabin
- Reduced power and fuel economy
- Check-engine light; flashing means the misfire is active
- Intermittent faults may leave 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 and wiring fixes are the inexpensive outcome. Injector replacement costs more, particularly on V-type engines where reaching cylinder 5 means removing the intake manifold, and on direct-injection engines with costlier injectors.
The price swings on which cause it turns out to be — so confirm the cause before paying. Diagnose P0274 for my exact vehicle →
Frequently asked
What's the difference between P0274 and P0273?
Same cylinder, opposite voltage fault. P0273 (low) suggests a short to ground or a shorted injector coil; P0274 (high) suggests an open circuit, resistance from corrosion, or a short to battery voltage. The direction narrows where to look first.
Will cleaning my injectors fix P0274?
No — cleaning addresses deposits inside the nozzle, and P0274 is an electrical fault in the circuit that drives the injector. The fix lives in the wiring, the connector, the injector's coil, or occasionally the ECM, not in the fuel system's cleanliness.
Why does the code come back after I clear it?
Because the underlying circuit fault is still there — the ECM re-detects the bad voltage as soon as conditions repeat. If it returns sporadically, suspect a heat- or vibration-sensitive connection like a corroded pin or chafed wire, which a wiggle test can often expose.
Can I drive to work with P0274?
If the engine runs smoothly and the light is steady, short commutes are generally tolerable while you arrange the repair. But the longer a misfiring cylinder feeds fuel into the exhaust, the greater the risk to the catalytic converter — and a flashing light means stop driving.
Seeing P0274 on your car? Get a diagnosis specific to your exact year, make and model.
Diagnose P0274 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.