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DTC codes / P02xx · Fuel and air metering (injector circuits) / P0208

P0208Injector Circuit/Open - Cylinder 8

P0208 indicates that the powertrain control module (PCM) has detected an open circuit or excessive resistance in the fuel injector circuit for cylinder 8. The PCM monitors the injector driver circuit and sets this code when the expected current flow is not present during injector activation, meaning the circuit is broken or the injector itself has failed electrically.

SystemPowertrain
Code typeGeneric (all makes)
SeverityMedium
Fix difficultyIntermediate
AreaFuel and air metering (injector circuits)

Symptoms you may notice

  • Illumination of the check engine light, often with no other noticeable symptoms
  • Rough idle or misfire that is more pronounced at idle than at higher speeds
  • Noticeable loss of power and reduced fuel economy
  • Engine vibration or shaking, especially under acceleration
  • A strong fuel odor from the exhaust if the injector is stuck open (less common with an open circuit)
  • In severe cases, the engine may enter limp mode or stall

Common causes, most likely first

  1. Faulty fuel injector on cylinder 8 (open coil winding)
  2. Damaged or corroded electrical connector at the cylinder 8 injector
  3. Broken or chafed wire in the injector harness between the PCM and injector
  4. Open circuit in the injector driver inside the PCM (rare)
  5. Poor ground connection for the injector circuit
  6. Rodent damage to the wiring harness

How to diagnose and fix it

  1. Inspect the cylinder 8 injector connector for corrosion, loose pins, or damage and clean or repair as needed
  2. Perform a resistance test on the cylinder 8 injector and compare to the manufacturer's specification (typically 12-16 ohms)
  3. Check for continuity and short-to-ground in the injector wiring harness between the PCM and injector
  4. Swap the cylinder 8 injector with a known-good injector from another cylinder to see if the misfire moves
  5. Test the injector driver signal at the PCM connector with a noid light or oscilloscope
  6. If the injector coil is open, replace the faulty injector
  7. If the wiring is damaged, repair the harness and clear the code

Don't overlook the injector connector

  • A loose or corroded connector at the injector is a frequent cause of P0208 that is often missed during a quick visual inspection.
  • The code can be set by a faulty PCM driver, but this is rare and should only be suspected after all other electrical checks pass.
  • On some vehicles, a shorted injector can damage the PCM driver, so always check injector resistance before replacing the PCM.
  • P0208 may be accompanied by a misfire code for cylinder 8 (P0308) but not always, so do not assume the injector is the only problem.
  • Rodent damage to the injector wiring is more common in vehicles parked outdoors for extended periods.

Can I keep driving with P0208?

Driving with P0208 is possible but not recommended because the engine will run rough and fuel economy will suffer; prolonged driving with a misfire can damage the catalytic converter. Avoid heavy acceleration and have the fault diagnosed promptly.

Tools that help

Tools we recommend are in the Auto Veteran shop on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

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

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