OBD-II Code P0202 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

P0202 means there is an electrical fault in the fuel injector circuit for cylinder 2. The computer can't control the injector properly, which can cause a misfire on cylinder 2. Symptoms include rough idle, shaking, and reduced power. The problem may be the injector itself, its wiring, or a connector issue.

Affected Models

All vehicles 1996+
Common in Ford and Lincoln V6 and V8 engines
Common in Chevrolet Cruze and Malibu
Common in Dodge and Chrysler vehicles
Common in Hyundai and Kia four-cylinder engines

Common Causes

Faulty fuel injector on cylinder 2 with internal electrical failure
Corroded or damaged wiring connector at the cylinder 2 injector
Broken or shorted wire in the injector circuit harness
Injector clogged so severely that circuit resistance is out of range
PCM injector driver circuit failure affecting cylinder 2 (uncommon)

How to Fix It

Locate cylinder 2 on your engine using your vehicle's cylinder diagram. On a four-cylinder it's typically the second from the front. Inspect the injector wiring connector for corrosion, cracks, or loose fit.

A loose connector is a free fix — clean it with contact cleaner, bend the retaining tab slightly, and reseat it firmly.
Measure injector resistance with a multimeter set to ohms. Disconnect the injector, probe both terminals. Most injectors read 11-17 ohms. Reading near zero indicates a short; infinite reading indicates an open circuit.

Compare your reading to a known good injector on another cylinder for reference.
Inspect the wiring from the injector connector back toward the fuse box and PCM. Pay close attention to areas near exhaust heat shields and sharp metal edges where wires can rub through.

Wrap any repaired wiring with quality automotive-grade tape or conduit to prevent future damage.
Swap the cylinder 2 injector with a working injector from another cylinder. Clear the code and drive. If the fault moves to the new cylinder, the injector is bad. If it stays on cylinder 2, the wiring or PCM is the issue.

This test takes about 30 minutes and saves you from replacing a perfectly good injector.
Replace the injector if the swap test confirms it's faulty. Use a new O-ring lubricated with clean engine oil. Clear all codes, test drive, and verify no misfires with a scan tool.

If the vehicle has over 100,000 miles, consider replacing all injectors at once for preventive maintenance.

When to Call a Professional

If swapping injectors confirms a wiring or PCM fault, seek professional help. A mechanic can scope the injector signal and perform a pinpoint wiring test. PCM driver failures are uncommon but do occur on high-mileage vehicles. Diagnosis typically costs $80-$130. Injector replacement is $150-$400 depending on engine and access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still drive with P0202?

Short drives are possible but not recommended. A misfiring cylinder sends unburned fuel into the exhaust. This can overheat and destroy your catalytic converter quickly. Cats are expensive to replace — fix the injector issue soon.

What does the injector circuit actually do?

The PCM sends electrical pulses to open and close each injector. This controls how much fuel each cylinder gets. If the circuit is broken or shorted, the injector can't open properly. No fuel in the cylinder means no combustion — which is a misfire.

How much does it cost to fix P0202?

If it's just a connector, $0-$20 for cleaner and possibly a pigtail repair kit. A new injector typically costs $50-$150 for the part. Labor adds $100-$250 depending on how accessible the injector is. Total repair is usually $150-$400.