Fuel & air metering · Powertrain · generic (SAE-defined)
P0202: Injector Circuit/Open - Cylinder 2
P0202 means the engine computer sees an electrical fault, usually an open circuit, in the cylinder 2 fuel injector circuit.
Standard title per SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6 · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research
How P0202 sets
The powertrain control module (PCM) controls each injector and watches its circuit for the electrical response expected when the injector opens and closes. When the cylinder 2 circuit shows an open, short or missing response, the PCM stores P0202. Test methods and timing vary between manufacturers.
Common causes of P0202
Roughly most likely first; the actual cause depends on the vehicle and needs testing to confirm.
- Failed cylinder 2 injector coil
- Damaged harness wire to cylinder 2
- Connector not fully latched or corroded
- Injector power feed or fuse problem
- PCM injector driver failure (uncommon)
P0202 symptoms
- Check engine light on, possibly flashing
- Engine runs rough or shakes at idle
- Hesitation and reduced power
- Cylinder 2 misfire code P0302 may set
How P0202 is diagnosed
- Read codes and freeze frame; look for P0302 and other injector circuit codes.
- Inspect the injector connector for cylinder 2 and its harness routing.
- Measure the cylinder 2 injector resistance and compare with other cylinders.
- Check for an injector pulse at the connector with a noid light while cranking.
- Verify power at the injector and continuity of the control wire to the PCM.
Typical fixes for P0202
- Replace the cylinder 2 injector
- Repair broken wiring or the connector
- Correct a power supply or fuse fault
- Repair the PCM driver if testing confirms it 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.
Related codes & warning lights
P0202 FAQ
What does code P0202 mean?
P0202 means the engine computer sees an electrical fault, usually an open circuit, in the cylinder 2 fuel injector circuit. The standard definition is "Injector Circuit/Open - Cylinder 2."
Can I drive with a P0202 code?
Avoid driving more than necessary. A dead cylinder 2 injector typically causes a misfire that can harm the catalytic converter, and a flashing check engine light means you should stop driving soon.
Where is cylinder 2 on my engine?
Cylinder numbering varies by manufacturer and engine layout. On many V engines cylinder 2 is on the bank opposite cylinder 1, while on inline engines it is usually next to cylinder 1. Check service information for your engine.
Can swapping injectors help diagnose P0202?
On port-injection engines, swapping the cylinder 2 injector with another cylinder can show whether the fault follows the injector. If the code moves, the injector is bad; if it stays, the wiring or PCM is suspect.
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.