Fuel & air metering · Powertrain · generic (SAE-defined)
P0201: Injector Circuit/Open - Cylinder 1
P0201 means the engine computer has detected an open or faulty electrical circuit for the cylinder 1 fuel injector, so that cylinder may not be getting fuel.
Standard title per SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6 · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research
How P0201 sets
The powertrain control module (PCM) fires each injector by switching its circuit, and it monitors the electrical feedback, such as the voltage spike when an injector shuts off. If the expected signal from the cylinder 1 injector circuit is missing or wrong, indicating an open, short or failed driver, the PCM sets P0201. Detection methods are manufacturer-specific.
Common causes of P0201
Roughly most likely first; the actual cause depends on the vehicle and needs testing to confirm.
- Open or high-resistance winding in the cylinder 1 injector
- Broken or chafed wire in the injector harness
- Loose, corroded or unplugged injector connector
- Loss of injector power supply, such as a blown fuse or relay fault
- Faulty injector driver in the PCM (less common)
P0201 symptoms
- Check engine light on, possibly flashing
- Rough idle and engine shake
- Loss of power
- Misfire code P0301 often stored
- Poor fuel economy
How P0201 is diagnosed
- Scan for codes; note P0301 or other injector codes, which may indicate a shared power feed problem.
- Inspect the cylinder 1 injector connector and harness for damage, especially near hot or recently serviced areas.
- Measure injector resistance and compare it with the other injectors and service specifications.
- Use a test light or noid light to confirm the PCM is pulsing the cylinder 1 injector during cranking.
- Check injector power supply and fuse.
- Test continuity of the control wire from the injector to the PCM.
Typical fixes for P0201
- Replace the cylinder 1 fuel injector
- Repair the injector wiring or connector
- Replace a blown fuse and fix the cause
- Repair or replace the PCM if its injector driver has failed
Replace parts only after testing confirms the cause — a code names the circuit or condition that failed a check, not necessarily the faulty part. We don’t publish per-repair prices; for what households actually spend on upkeep, see car repair costs.
Manufacturer notes
On gasoline direct-injection and diesel engines, injectors run at much higher voltages and pressures, and circuit faults can be reported with different codes; definitions can vary by manufacturer; check factory service information.
Related codes & warning lights
P0201 FAQ
What does code P0201 mean?
P0201 means the engine computer has detected an open or faulty electrical circuit for the cylinder 1 fuel injector, so that cylinder may not be getting fuel. The standard definition is "Injector Circuit/Open - Cylinder 1."
Can I drive with a P0201 code?
Minimize driving. If cylinder 1 is not receiving fuel, the engine will misfire, and continued driving can overheat the catalytic converter; if the check engine light flashes, pull over and stop as soon as it is safe.
Does P0201 always mean the injector is bad?
No. A broken wire or a loose connector can set the same code. Testing injector resistance and checking the harness will tell you which it is.
Why is P0201 often paired with a misfire code?
If the injector is not firing, cylinder 1 gets no fuel and cannot burn properly, so the computer also detects a misfire on that cylinder and may store P0301.
Keep researching
Engine guides by brand (known issues, specs)
More fuel & air metering codes
Sources
- SAE J2012 — Diagnostic Trouble Code Definitions (standard code titles)
- ISO 15031-6 — Road vehicles: communication between vehicle and external equipment for emissions-related diagnostics, Part 6: Diagnostic trouble code definitions
- U.S. EPA — Vehicle Emissions Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) programs
- U.S. EPA, 40 CFR 86.1806-17 — Federal onboard diagnostics requirements for light-duty vehicles
- California Air Resources Board — On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) Program
General information written by CarWhere Research, not a diagnosis of your vehicle. Manufacturers can add their own sub-definitions and test conditions; confirm with the factory service information for your year, make and model. Before paying for a repair, check NHTSA for open recalls and your warranty booklet: federal law requires an emissions warranty on major emission-control parts such as the catalytic converter and engine computer.