OBD codes / P0289
P0289
ModerateCylinder 10 Injector Circuit High
The engine will likely run smoothly enough to forget the problem exists, which is exactly the trap: unburned fuel from cylinder 10 continues stressing that bank's catalytic converter. Book the repair promptly, drive gently meanwhile, and stop if the light flashes.
What this code means
P0289, the high-side twin of P0288, sets when the ECM sees voltage above its expected window on the cylinder 10 injector control circuit — a code possible only on V10 and V12 engines, since smaller engines have no cylinder 10. High readings arise from a short to battery voltage in the harness, or from resistance added by a corroded connector, degraded terminal, or an injector winding that has failed open. The circuit monitor knows nothing of fuel flow, so this is decisively not a clogged-injector code; the fix will be electrical. Diagnosis leans on comparison: with so many identical injector circuits available, resistance-checking cylinder 10's injector against any neighbor and inspecting its connector usually reveals the fault fast. P0210 (circuit) and P0310 (misfire) are the related codes for this cylinder. Confirm cylinder 10's physical location from your engine's numbering diagram — V-engine conventions differ by manufacturer.
Symptoms you might notice
- Cylinder 10 misfire, frequently subtle on these engines
- Loss of trademark V10/V12 smoothness
- Modest power and economy reduction
- Check-engine light; flashing indicates active misfire
- Intermittent faults may store the code without 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 |
V10/V12 packaging drives labor toward the top of the range — intake removal is common just to reach the injectors — and direct-injection injectors for these engines exceed typical parts prices. A connector or wiring repair remains the cheap outcome.
The price swings on which cause it turns out to be — so confirm the cause before paying. Diagnose P0289 for my exact vehicle →
Frequently asked
What tells the ECM to set P0289 instead of P0288?
The direction of the voltage error. P0289 sets when the cylinder 10 injector circuit reads high — open circuit, corrosion resistance, or a short to battery voltage. P0288 sets when it reads low — short to ground or a shorted injector coil.
Is the injector necessarily dead?
No. High-side circuit codes very often trace to the connector or harness rather than the injector. Measure the injector's resistance before condemning it: only an open or clearly out-of-spec reading justifies replacement, which matters on engines where injector access is laborious.
How quickly should I address this?
Within days if you can. The engine tolerates one erratic cylinder, but the catalytic converters on a V10 or V12 are numerous and expensive, and unburned fuel is their enemy. A flashing check-engine light upgrades the urgency to immediate.
Why does my scanner also show P0310?
P0310 is the misfire code for cylinder 10 — the downstream effect of the injector circuit fault. When a circuit code and misfire code share a cylinder, the electrical fault is almost always the root cause, so repair it first and the misfire should cease.
Seeing P0289 on your car? Get a diagnosis specific to your exact year, make and model.
Diagnose P0289 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.