What it means
The control module detected that cylinder 11 is not contributing to engine power as expected. Possible causes include an injector, compression, or other cylinder-specific problem.
At a glance
- Usually lights the check-engine light
- Affects emissions; the car can fail an emissions test
How it works
The control module estimates each cylinder's contribution to engine output by monitoring how evenly the engine runs. P0293 means cylinder 11 is contributing less than expected, which can result from an injector, ignition system on a spark-ignition engine, compression, or wiring fault.
Common causes
Most likely first.
- Injector fault on cylinder 11
- Low compression on cylinder 11
- Ignition fault on cylinder 11, if spark-ignition
- Wiring or connector fault
Symptoms
- Check-engine light
- Rough idle or engine vibration
- Misfire or hesitation
- Reduced engine power
How to diagnose it
- Use a scan tool to check freeze-frame data, misfire counts, and cylinder contribution readings to confirm the fault is concentrated on cylinder 11.
- Inspect the cylinder 11 injector connector and wiring, and check its spark plug and ignition coil if the engine uses spark ignition.
- Test cylinder 11 injector operation and compare it with other cylinders using the manufacturer's procedure.
- If fuel and ignition checks pass, perform a compression test on cylinder 11 and compare it with the manufacturer's specification.
- If compression is low, perform a leak-down test to help locate the source of the cylinder 11 sealing problem.
Common fixes
- Repair a loose or damaged cylinder 11 connector or wiring.
- Replace a faulty cylinder 11 spark plug or ignition coil, if fitted.
- Clean or replace a restricted or faulty cylinder 11 injector.
- Repair the mechanical fault identified by compression or leak-down testing.
Can I keep driving?
A weak cylinder 11 can cause hesitation, rough running, and power loss; continued misfiring can damage the exhaust catalyst. Avoid hard acceleration and stop driving if the engine runs severely rough or the warning light flashes.
A code shows where the control module detected a fault, not always which part failed. Check the causes in order and confirm with a test before replacing parts. Have several codes? Check them together
This is a generic code: it means the same on every make. The car’s maker may add more detail in its own service information.