What Codes Will This Page Cover?
On this page, we’ll be covering the following two codes:
- P0205 Cylinder 5 Injector A Circuit
- P0206 Cylinder 6 Injector A Circuit
These are the same codes but indicate an issue with two different cylinders. While there are minor differences in how you might approach the solution, they’ll have primarily the same causes, symptoms, and diagnostic process.
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What Is the P0205 Code?
Symptoms
Causes
Seriousness
Can I Still Drive?
Diagnose
Difficulty of Inspecting
Get Additional Help
The P0205 and P0206 codes indicate an issue with your vehicle’s fuel injectors. Specifically, P0205 indicates that cylinder 5 has an issue, while P0206 indicates that cylinder 6 has an issue. Both codes can be active at once if multiple cylinders are having difficulty. In fact, you may see other issues throughout your vehicle’s cylinders as well.
You may also be interested in P0200 – Injector Circuit/Open.
More About Error Code P0205
Fuel injectors are solenoids activated by transistors called “drivers.” When the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) or Engine Control Module (ECM) needs a cylinder to add fuel, it grounds one of two terminals, completing a circuit and activating the driver, which causes the solenoid to open the injector. When these engine light codes are active, it indicates that the PCM has issued a command for the injector to open, but the electrical current has not changed, which may mean that it did not actually fire.
What Are the Symptoms of a P0205 Code?
When the P0205 and P0206 codes are active, the vehicle is requesting more fuel to be added to the engine, but that fuel isn’t making it in. This issue can result in various fuel-related problems, like rough running, stalling, misfiring, lean condition or rich condition, poor acceleration, and poor fuel economy. Your vehicle may also have a hard-start condition, where it’s difficult to start the car, and may even move to “limp mode” or “limp home mode,” where the top speed is reduced to around 40 miles per hour and extraneous components like your air conditioning may not work. The check engine light should also turn on.
What Are Some Causes of a P0205 Code?
Depending on your vehicle, many issues can cause the P0205 and P0206 codes to trigger. The issues could be a bad injector, problems with the wiring harness, an open connection or short, an intermittent open connection, issues with the connector components, or even a faulty PCM. However, this is extremely rare and would likely come with many other codes. Issues with battery voltage can cause these codes, but they will also usually come with other codes.
How Serious Is the P0205 Code?
The P0205 and P0206 codes can be very serious, especially if the fuel economy is significantly impacted. Not only can the “limp home” mode make it difficult for you to drive your vehicle, but the issues with fuel economy can add up to a very expensive problem over time. Additionally, the more you drive a rough-running engine, the more likely you will experience a serious engine concern. Overall, this is a problem you should tackle as early as possible.
Can I Still Drive with a P0205 Code?
If the fuel injection isn’t working with one or more cylinders, it may not be feasible for you to drive your vehicle at all, as it’s likely to run rough and potentially even cap your speed at a fairly low level. Even if you can technically drive your vehicle, it’s not recommended to do so with the P0205 and P0206 codes active. The more you drive a vehicle that isn’t getting the right amount of fuel, the more likely you will cause serious engine damage that can be much more difficult and expensive to fix.
How Easy Is It to Diagnose a P0205 Code?
The diagnosis process for the P0205 and P0206 codes can be difficult. You need to know what other diagnostic trouble codes are present, observe the freeze frame data associated with the codes, perform a test drive, do a visual inspection of the circuit, use various scan tools to monitor potential issues, including voltage and resistance, monitor the on and off pulse of the injector itself, and more. This is a good reason to get help from an expert for diagnosis.
How Difficult Is It to Inspect a P0205 Code?
Inspection for the P0205 and P0206 codes often requires various specialty equipment and diagnostic tools. While the scan tool is one of them, you’ll also need to know what areas to check, what measurements to take, and what to look out for regarding issues within your fuel injector site. Most DIYers do not have the experience necessary to understand these problems, which is why expert assistance can be so helpful.
Need Additional Help with Your P0205 Code?
In general, you’ll need help with the P0205 and P0206 codes. The expert assistance available in your area can make handling any problems you’re experiencing easier.
Start by finding a repair shop in your area. You don’t want to be driving any further than you need to, and finding a local repair shop is one of the best ways to avoid driving quite a distance on a vehicle with active P0205 and P0206 codes.
Sometimes, these codes are also related to other problems that your vehicle is experiencing. The KBB.com OBD-II database is the perfect place to go so you can understand these other misfire codes.
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