Faulty fuel injector for cylinder 3 (internal short or open coil); Short to power in the injector wiring harness or connector; Corroded, loose, or damaged electrical connector at the injector; Damaged or chafed wire between the injector and the engine computer; Failed injector driver inside the engine computer (less common); Aftermarket or incorrect injector installed that does not match the vehicle's specifications

DTC codes / P02xx · Fuel and air metering (injector circuits) / P0268

P0268Cylinder 3 Injector Circuit High

Q: What does code P0268 mean?

Cylinder 3 Injector Circuit High. P0268 means the engine computer has detected an abnormally high current or voltage on the electrical circuit that operates the fuel injector for cylinder 3. The computer monitors the injector driver circuit and flags this code when the signal exceeds the expected range, indicating a short to power, a failed injector, or a wiring problem.

P0268 means the engine computer has detected an abnormally high current or voltage on the electrical circuit that operates the fuel injector for cylinder 3. The computer monitors the injector driver circuit and flags this code when the signal exceeds the expected range, indicating a short to power, a failed injector, or a wiring problem.

SystemPowertrain

Code typeGeneric (all makes)

SeverityMedium

Fix difficultyIntermediate

AreaFuel and air metering (injector circuits)

Symptoms you may notice

Illuminated check engine light, often with no other noticeable symptoms
Rough idle or misfire that may feel like a shake or stumble
Noticeable loss of power or hesitation during acceleration
Poor fuel economy due to improper fuel delivery
Possible fuel smell or black smoke from the exhaust if the injector is stuck open
In some cases, the engine may enter limp mode or run poorly enough to be undrivable

Common causes, most likely first

Faulty fuel injector for cylinder 3 (internal short or open coil)
Short to power in the injector wiring harness or connector
Corroded, loose, or damaged electrical connector at the injector
Damaged or chafed wire between the injector and the engine computer
Failed injector driver inside the engine computer (less common)
Aftermarket or incorrect injector installed that does not match the vehicle's specifications

How to diagnose and fix it

Use an OBD-II scanner to confirm P0268 and check for related misfire or injector codes
Inspect the cylinder 3 injector connector and wiring for corrosion, damage, or loose pins
Measure the injector coil resistance with a multimeter and compare to the manufacturer's specification
Check for a short to power on the injector control circuit using a multimeter or test light
Swap the cylinder 3 injector with a known-good injector from another cylinder to see if the code moves
If the injector tests good, check the engine computer driver circuit with a noid light or oscilloscope
Replace the faulty injector or repair the wiring as needed, then clear the code and verify the repair

What a high injector circuit really means

A high circuit code often indicates a short to power or a failed injector coil, but a poor ground connection can also cause the computer to see excessive voltage on the control circuit.
Many technicians replace the injector only to find the real problem is a chafed wire in the harness near the intake manifold or valve cover, so always inspect the wiring before condemning the injector.
This code does not always mean the injector is completely dead; it can set intermittently due to heat or vibration, making the vehicle run fine during a quick test drive.
A stuck-open injector can cause fuel dilution in the engine oil, so check the oil level and smell for fuel after diagnosing a high circuit code.
Some vehicles use injectors with built-in resistors or smart drivers, and testing them with a standard ohmmeter may not give accurate results without the manufacturer's procedure.

Can I keep driving with P0268?

You can usually drive the vehicle short distances to a repair shop, but avoid heavy acceleration or towing because a misfiring cylinder can overheat the catalytic converter. If the engine runs very rough or smells strongly of fuel, stop driving and have it towed to prevent damage.

Tools that help

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