Fuel & air metering · Powertrain · generic (SAE-defined)
P0208: Injector Circuit/Open - Cylinder 8
P0208 means the engine computer has detected an open or faulty electrical circuit for the cylinder 8 fuel injector, found on engines with eight or more cylinders.
Standard title per SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6 · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research
How P0208 sets
The powertrain control module (PCM) switches the cylinder 8 injector on and off and checks the circuit for the electrical response a healthy injector and wiring produce. If the response is missing or abnormal, the PCM sets P0208. Detection methods vary by manufacturer.
Common causes of P0208
Roughly most likely first; the actual cause depends on the vehicle and needs testing to confirm.
- Open coil in the cylinder 8 fuel injector
- Damaged wiring, often near the rear of the engine
- Connector corrosion or poor contact
- Injector power supply or fuse fault
- PCM injector driver fault
P0208 symptoms
- Check engine light on, possibly flashing
- Rough idle and vibration
- Hesitation and reduced power
- P0308 misfire code may be stored
How P0208 is diagnosed
- Scan for codes and note P0308 and any other injector codes.
- Find cylinder 8 in service information and inspect its connector and harness.
- Measure injector resistance and compare with other injectors.
- Check for injector pulse with a noid light.
- Verify power feed and control wire continuity to the PCM.
Typical fixes for P0208
- Replace the cylinder 8 fuel injector
- Repair wiring or connector damage
- Fix the injector power supply
- Repair the PCM if a driver fault is confirmed
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
P0208 FAQ
What does code P0208 mean?
P0208 means the engine computer has detected an open or faulty electrical circuit for the cylinder 8 fuel injector, found on engines with eight or more cylinders. The standard definition is "Injector Circuit/Open - Cylinder 8."
Can I drive with a P0208 code?
Avoid unnecessary driving. If cylinder 8 is not getting fuel, the misfire can damage the catalytic converter over time; stop driving promptly if the check engine light begins flashing.
Should I replace all injectors if one fails?
It is not required. Replacing only the failed injector is normal, though on high-mileage engines some owners choose to replace them as a set for balanced flow.
Can P0208 come from a wiring issue after engine work?
Yes. Harnesses can be pinched, stretched or left unplugged during repairs such as intake manifold or valve cover work, so check recent work areas first.
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.