What it means
The ECM detects that the injection pulse on cylinder 2 does not produce the expected combustion result. Pulse width, timing, or quantity drift compared to the bank average.
At a glance
- Usually lights the check-engine light
- Affects emissions; the car can fail an emissions test
How it works
The engine control module adjusts the injection pulse for cylinder 2 and checks whether combustion responds as expected. This code means cylinder 2's injection-pulse performance is out of line with the expected result, which may be caused by injector flow drift or fuel quality.
Common causes
Most likely first.
- Injector aged - flow characteristic drifted
- Fuel quality affecting injection result
Symptoms
- Check-engine light may be on
- Rough idle or engine vibration
- Hesitation or reduced power
How to diagnose it
- Save freeze-frame data and compare cylinder-specific misfire or contribution readings to see whether cylinder 2 is the main outlier.
- Inspect the cylinder 2 injector connector and harness for loose pins, corrosion, damage, or fuel leakage.
- Compare cylinder 2 injection-pulse data and combustion contribution with the other cylinders at idle and under the recorded operating conditions.
- Check whether fuel quality or a recent refuelling event could explain the change, especially if several cylinders show similar symptoms.
- If the cylinder 2 circuit and fuel are satisfactory, test injector operation and flow against the manufacturer's procedure.
Common fixes
- Correct unsuitable or contaminated fuel if symptoms followed a fuel change.
- Reconnect or repair the cylinder 2 injector wiring or connector.
- Address fuel contamination if system checks identify it.
- Replace the cylinder 2 injector if testing confirms its performance is outside specification.
Can I keep driving?
If the engine runs smoothly, keep any necessary trip short and drive gently. Stop if it shakes severely, loses power markedly, or the warning light flashes, because continued misfire can damage the catalytic converter.
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.