OBD codes / P0288
P0288
ModerateCylinder 10 Injector Circuit Low
With nine or eleven other cylinders firing, the car may feel nearly normal — but cylinder 10's unburned fuel is still loading that bank's catalytic converter. Repair promptly rather than waiting for symptoms to worsen, and stop driving if the check-engine light flashes.
What this code means
You'll only encounter P0288 on engines with ten or more cylinders — V10s and V12s. It means the ECM measured voltage below the expected range on the cylinder 10 injector control circuit, the classic signature of a wire shorted to ground, an open circuit, or an injector coil that has shorted internally. Like every code in this series, it's a verdict on the electrical path rather than the fuel path: a clogged nozzle starves the cylinder without altering circuit voltage and would set a misfire code instead. On a ten- or twelve-cylinder engine you have plenty of identical circuits to compare against, which is the quickest route to a diagnosis — resistance-check cylinder 10's injector against a neighbor, then inspect its harness leg. Companions to expect are P0210 (cylinder 10 injector circuit) and P0310 (cylinder 10 misfire). Bank numbering varies by manufacturer on these engines, so locate cylinder 10 from your engine's diagram first.
Symptoms you might notice
- Misfire on cylinder 10, often faint on a V10/V12
- Mild idle roughness or vibration at certain rpm
- Small but noticeable power loss under hard acceleration
- Check-engine light, flashing if the misfire is sustained
- Can store without 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 |
Expect the high side on V10/V12 engines: injectors are buried under intake hardware, access labor is slow, and direct-injection injectors for these engines cost more than average. The wiring-repair path stays cheap if the fault is found quickly.
The price swings on which cause it turns out to be — so confirm the cause before paying. Diagnose P0288 for my exact vehicle →
Frequently asked
Which vehicles can even set P0288?
Only those with ten or more cylinders — V10 and V12 engines. Cylinder 10 doesn't exist on four-, six-, or eight-cylinder engines, so this code is inherently limited to large multi-cylinder powerplants.
What's the likely fix for P0288?
Statistically, a wiring or connector repair or a single injector. Test before buying: if cylinder 10's injector resistance matches its neighbors, the harness or connector is the suspect; if the reading is shorted or open, replace the injector. Avoid replacing parts before measuring.
Why does the code set only occasionally?
Intermittent circuit codes usually trace to connections that fail with heat, moisture, or vibration — a corroded pin or a chafed wire that grounds out over bumps. The fault is real even when the engine runs fine; it's just not present at every moment.
Is it safe to keep driving a V10 with one dead injector circuit?
Mechanically the engine copes, but the catalytic converter on cylinder 10's bank does not enjoy the unburned fuel. Short, easy driving while awaiting repair is reasonable; extended driving, hard use, or a flashing light are not.
Seeing P0288 on your car? Get a diagnosis specific to your exact year, make and model.
Diagnose P0288 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.