Faulty cylinder 8 fuel injector (open coil or shorted winding); Damaged or corroded electrical connector at the cylinder 8 injector; Chafed, broken, or shorted wire in the injector harness near the cylinder 8 injector; Loose or damaged terminal pins in the injector connector or ECM connector; Internal ECM driver circuit failure for cylinder 8 injector (rare but possible); Aftermarket or incorrectly installed injector with wrong resistance; Rodent damage to the injector wiring harness

DTC codes / Jaguar codes / P1208

P1208 · JaguarCylinder 8 Injector Circuit Open/Shorted

Q: What does code P1208 mean?

Cylinder 8 Injector Circuit Open/Shorted. P1208 on a Jaguar indicates that the engine control module (ECM) has detected an open circuit or a short circuit in the electrical path for cylinder 8's fuel injector. The ECM monitors the injector driver circuit and flags this code when the current flow is outside the expected range, meaning the injector may not be firing at all or may be firing erratically.

P1208 on a Jaguar indicates that the engine control module (ECM) has detected an open circuit or a short circuit in the electrical path for cylinder 8's fuel injector. The ECM monitors the injector driver circuit and flags this code when the current flow is outside the expected range, meaning the injector may not be firing at all or may be firing erratically.

SystemPowertrain

Code typeJaguar specific

SeverityMedium

Fix difficultyIntermediate

AreaFuel and air metering (injector circuits)

Symptoms you may notice

Rough idle or misfire, especially noticeable at idle or low speeds
Engine hesitation or stumble during acceleration
Illuminated check engine light (malfunction indicator lamp)
Reduced engine performance and possible limp mode
Often no symptoms besides the warning light, particularly if the injector still operates intermittently
Possible fuel smell or rich-running symptoms if the injector is shorted and stuck open

Common causes, most likely first

Faulty cylinder 8 fuel injector (open coil or shorted winding)
Damaged or corroded electrical connector at the cylinder 8 injector
Chafed, broken, or shorted wire in the injector harness near the cylinder 8 injector
Loose or damaged terminal pins in the injector connector or ECM connector
Internal ECM driver circuit failure for cylinder 8 injector (rare but possible)
Aftermarket or incorrectly installed injector with wrong resistance
Rodent damage to the injector wiring harness

How to diagnose and fix it

Perform a visual inspection of the cylinder 8 injector connector and wiring for damage, corrosion, or looseness
Disconnect the injector and measure its resistance with a multimeter; compare to the manufacturer's specification (typically 12–16 ohms)
Check for battery voltage at the injector connector with the key on and engine off, using a noid light or multimeter
Inspect the harness between the injector and ECM for continuity and shorts to ground or power
Swap the cylinder 8 injector with a known-good injector from another cylinder and see if the code moves
If the injector and wiring test good, check the ECM connector pins for corrosion or damage and perform a wiggle test
Replace the faulty injector or repair the wiring as needed, then clear the code and verify the repair with a test drive

Before you replace the cylinder 8 injector

A loose or corroded connector at the injector is a more common cause than a failed injector itself, so always inspect and clean the terminals first.
The ECM driver for cylinder 8 can fail internally, but this is rare; confirm wiring integrity before condemning the ECM.
On some Jaguar models, the injector harness runs near hot exhaust components and can suffer heat damage that causes intermittent opens.
A shorted injector can flood the cylinder with fuel, leading to bore wash and secondary misfire codes; address it promptly to avoid engine damage.
After replacing an injector, the ECM may need to relearn the injector coding or fuel trim adaptations; consult the factory service procedure for your model.

Can I keep driving with P1208?

Driving with a faulty injector can lead to misfire, poor fuel economy, and potential catalytic converter damage from unburned fuel. It is advisable to avoid prolonged driving and have the vehicle diagnosed promptly; if the misfire is severe, limit driving to short distances to a repair shop.

Tools that help

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Guidance is general and written for Jaguar vehicles. Exact tests and values vary by model, so confirm the fault before replacing parts.