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DTC codes / P02xx · Fuel and air metering (injector circuits) / P0264

P0264Cylinder 2 Injector Circuit Low

P0264 means the powertrain control module (PCM) has detected that the electrical current flowing through the fuel injector for cylinder 2 is lower than expected when the injector is commanded on. This low current condition typically indicates an open circuit, high resistance, or a faulty injector winding, though the PCM may also set it if the injector driver circuit is compromised.

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 may be more pronounced when the engine is cold
  • Hesitation or stumble during acceleration
  • Reduced engine power and poor fuel economy
  • A noticeable vibration or shaking felt through the steering wheel or seat
  • In some cases, the engine may enter limp mode or exhibit hard starting

Common causes, most likely first

  1. Faulty cylinder 2 fuel injector with an open or high-resistance internal coil
  2. Damaged or corroded electrical connector at the cylinder 2 injector
  3. Broken, chafed, or open wire in the injector control circuit
  4. Poor connection or corrosion at the PCM harness connector
  5. Internal PCM driver circuit failure for the cylinder 2 injector
  6. Aftermarket or incorrect injector installed that does not meet resistance specifications

How to diagnose and fix it

  1. Perform a visual inspection of the cylinder 2 injector connector and wiring for damage, corrosion, or loose pins
  2. Measure the resistance of the cylinder 2 injector with a multimeter and compare to the manufacturer's specification
  3. Check for battery voltage at the injector connector with the key on, engine off, using a test light or multimeter
  4. Inspect the injector control circuit for continuity and shorts to ground or power using a wiring diagram
  5. Swap the cylinder 2 injector with a known-good injector from another cylinder and see if the code moves
  6. Check the PCM connector for corrosion or backed-out pins, and perform a wiggle test on the harness while monitoring injector operation
  7. If all electrical checks pass, suspect an internal PCM fault and perform further diagnostics before replacement

What a low injector circuit really means

  • A low current code does not automatically condemn the injector; a poor connection at the PCM or a chafed wire can cause the same low-current reading and is often overlooked.
  • The injector driver inside the PCM can fail in a way that sets a low-current code without any visible damage, so swapping the injector to another cylinder is the quickest way to isolate the fault.
  • Corrosion inside the injector connector is a frequent culprit on older vehicles, and simply cleaning the terminals often resolves the code without replacing any parts.
  • This code can be set intermittently by vibration or temperature changes, so a wiggle test of the harness while watching live injector data is more reliable than a static resistance check alone.
  • A misfire code for cylinder 2 (such as P0302) is commonly stored alongside P0264, but the presence of P0264 points to an electrical fault rather than a mechanical or fuel delivery issue.

Can I keep driving with P0264?

You can usually drive the vehicle short distances to a repair shop, but avoid heavy acceleration or towing because the misfire can overheat the catalytic converter and cause costly damage. If the engine is running very rough or flashing the check engine light, stop driving and have it towed.

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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