Faulty cylinder 7 fuel injector with an internally shorted coil; Damaged or chafed wiring in the injector circuit, shorting to power or ground; Corroded or loose electrical connector at the injector or ECM; Failed ECM injector driver circuit for cylinder 7; Aftermarket or improperly installed electrical accessories tapping into the injector circuit; Engine wiring harness damage from heat, rodents, or mechanical wear

DTC codes / P02xx · Fuel and air metering (injector circuits) / P0280

P0280Cylinder 7 Injector Circuit High

Q: What does code P0280 mean?

Cylinder 7 Injector Circuit High. P0280 indicates that the engine control module (ECM) has detected an abnormally high current or voltage on the control circuit for cylinder 7's fuel injector. This typically means the injector coil is shorted to power or ground, the wiring is damaged, or the injector driver inside the ECM has failed.

P0280 indicates that the engine control module (ECM) has detected an abnormally high current or voltage on the control circuit for cylinder 7's fuel injector. This typically means the injector coil is shorted to power or ground, the wiring is damaged, or the injector driver inside the ECM has failed.

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, especially noticeable at idle or low speeds
Engine hesitation or stumble during acceleration
Decreased fuel economy due to improper fuel delivery
Possible rich-running condition if the injector is stuck open, leading to black smoke or fuel smell
In rare cases, the engine may enter limp mode to protect the catalytic converter

Common causes, most likely first

Faulty cylinder 7 fuel injector with an internally shorted coil
Damaged or chafed wiring in the injector circuit, shorting to power or ground
Corroded or loose electrical connector at the injector or ECM
Failed ECM injector driver circuit for cylinder 7
Aftermarket or improperly installed electrical accessories tapping into the injector circuit
Engine wiring harness damage from heat, rodents, or mechanical wear

How to diagnose and fix it

Perform a visual inspection of the cylinder 7 injector connector and wiring for damage or corrosion
Use a scan tool to check for related misfire codes and freeze-frame data to confirm the fault
Measure the resistance of the cylinder 7 injector with a multimeter and compare to specifications
Disconnect the ECM and check for shorts to power or ground on the injector control circuit
Swap the cylinder 7 injector with a known-good injector from another cylinder to see if the code moves
Inspect the ECM connector for corrosion or loose pins, and test the driver circuit with a noid light or oscilloscope
If all external checks pass, replace the ECM and reprogram it as needed

Don't overlook the injector driver circuit

A shorted injector coil can sometimes test fine when cold but fail when hot, so resistance checks should be done both cold and after warming the engine.
The ECM driver for cylinder 7 can be damaged by a shorted injector, so replacing only the injector without checking the driver may lead to a repeat failure.
Aftermarket alarm or remote start installations often splice into injector wiring, creating intermittent shorts that set this code.
This code can be set by a poor ground connection at the engine block, causing the injector circuit to find a ground path through other components.
A noid light test can quickly confirm whether the ECM is pulsing the injector; if the light stays on constantly, the driver is likely shorted.

Can I keep driving with P0280?

Driving with P0280 is generally not recommended because a shorted injector can cause a misfire that damages the catalytic converter or leads to a rich-running condition that dilutes engine oil. If you must drive, avoid heavy acceleration and have the vehicle inspected as soon as possible.

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.