OBD codes / P0282
P0282
ModerateCylinder 8 Injector Circuit Low
One dead cylinder on a V8 can feel deceptively minor, but the unburned fuel still reaches that bank's catalytic converter and can overheat it over time. Repair promptly rather than living with it, and stop driving if the check-engine light flashes.
What this code means
Found on V8 and larger engines, P0282 reports that the cylinder 8 injector control circuit measured below the voltage the ECM expects when driving that injector. The classic low-side causes are a harness wire shorted to ground, an open circuit, or an injector coil that has shorted internally and pulls the circuit down. It's important to separate this from a mechanically clogged injector: deposits block fuel without changing circuit voltage, so they set misfire codes rather than circuit codes like this one. Diagnosis benefits from the cylinder-specific callout — measure cylinder 8's injector resistance, compare with any healthy cylinder, and inspect its stretch of harness. When the injector actually stops firing, P0208 (cylinder 8 injector circuit) and P0308 (cylinder 8 misfire) typically join it. Cylinder 8's location varies with the manufacturer's bank-numbering scheme, so consult your engine's diagram first.
Symptoms you might notice
- Misfire isolated to cylinder 8
- Mildly rough idle — a V8 can partially mask one dead cylinder
- Loss of power, most obvious under hard acceleration or towing
- Check-engine light, which may flash during active misfire
- Occasionally symptom-free if 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 |
Cylinder 8 usually sits at the back of a bank, often the hardest injector to reach — V8s requiring intake removal and direct-injection engines with premium injectors land at the high end. A wiring or connector repair, once located, is cheap.
The price swings on which cause it turns out to be — so confirm the cause before paying. Diagnose P0282 for my exact vehicle →
Frequently asked
What is the ECM actually detecting with P0282?
Voltage on the cylinder 8 injector circuit below the expected range as the injector is pulsed. That's the electrical signature of a short to ground, a break in the wiring, or an injector coil that has shorted internally — not of dirty fuel or a clogged nozzle.
How do I confirm whether the injector is bad?
Two tests settle it. First, measure the injector's resistance and compare with the other seven — a shorted or open reading condemns it. Second, swap it with a neighboring cylinder's injector: if the code follows the part, replace the injector; if it stays on cylinder 8, repair the wiring.
Can I keep driving my truck with P0282?
Light-duty, short-distance driving with a steady light is usually tolerable while you arrange the repair. Avoid towing and hard throttle, since load amplifies the misfire and the raw-fuel dose to the catalytic converter. A flashing light means stop and get it diagnosed.
Why did P0308 set at the same time?
P0308 is cylinder 8's misfire code — the mechanical consequence of the electrical fault P0282 describes. The injector isn't being driven correctly, so the cylinder misses. Repair the circuit and the misfire code should stop recurring.
Seeing P0282 on your car? Get a diagnosis specific to your exact year, make and model.
Diagnose P0282 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.