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P0201

Fuel Injector Circuit/Open - Cylinder 1

The engine computer is not seeing the injector for cylinder 1 working properly. This can be caused by a bad injector, damaged wiring, corroded connections, or a dirty or clogged injector. It can lead to rough running, misfires, and poor engine performance.

SEV
4/5
DRIVE
CAUTION
DIY
$20–$250
SHOP
$150–$700

Quick answer

AI-CITATION READY

What it means

P0201 indicates the PCM/ECM has detected an electrical fault in the fuel injector circuit for cylinder 1. This usually means the injector circuit is open, has excessive resistance, or the injector is not responding correctly. The fault may be in the injector itself, the wiring harness, the connector, or, less commonly, the engine control module.

Can you drive with it?

With caution. You may be able to drive short distances, but the engine can misfire and run rough. Continued driving can damage the catalytic converter and make the vehicle harder to operate safely.

Most common causes

  • Faulty fuel injector on cylinder 1
  • Corroded, loose, or damaged injector connector or wiring
  • Plugged or dirty fuel injector causing poor injector operation

Typical repair cost

DIY usually runs $20–$250. Typical shop repair lands around $150–$700, depending on the root cause.

01 / Definition

P0201 indicates the PCM/ECM has detected an electrical fault in the fuel injector circuit for cylinder 1. This usually means the injector circuit is open, has excessive resistance, or the injector is not responding correctly. The fault may be in the injector itself, the wiring harness, the connector, or, less commonly, the engine control module.

02 / Drive status

With caution. You may be able to drive short distances, but the engine can misfire and run rough. Continued driving can damage the catalytic converter and make the vehicle harder to operate safely.

03 / Symptoms

  • Check engine light
  • Rough idle
  • Engine misfire
  • Poor acceleration
  • Reduced fuel economy
  • Hard starting
  • Engine shaking
  • Fuel smell from exhaust

04 / Causes

1Faulty fuel injector on cylinder 1high
2Corroded, loose, or damaged injector connector or wiringhigh
3Plugged or dirty fuel injector causing poor injector operationmedium
4Blown fuse, open circuit, or broken wire in injector control circuitmedium
5Poor ground, power supply issue, or damaged PCM driver circuitlow

05 / Diagnostic sequence

  1. 01Confirm the code with a scan tool and check for related misfire or injector codes.
  2. 02Inspect the cylinder 1 injector connector for corrosion, loose fit, bent pins, or damaged terminals.
  3. 03Inspect the wiring from the injector to the harness and PCM for breaks, rubbing, or burned spots.
  4. 04Check injector power supply, fuse, and ground/trigger signals with a multimeter or test light.
  5. 05Measure injector resistance and compare it to factory specifications.
  6. 06Swap the injector with another cylinder only if service procedures allow it, then see whether the fault follows the injector.
  7. 07If wiring and injector test good, inspect PCM control and command signals using proper diagnostic equipment.

06 / Repairs

1Clean and repair the injector connector or wiring harness as needed$20–$150
2Replace the faulty fuel injector for cylinder 1$50–$300
3Clear the injector or fuel system if the injector is clogged or dirty$15–$100
4Repair blown fuse, broken wire, or poor ground in the injector circuit$30–$200
5Diagnose and repair PCM driver or control issues if all other components test good$200–$700

MFG / Manufacturer notes

These supplements add make-specific diagnostic framing. Pages without full matrix backing or lane approval stay guarded and canonicalize back here until they are explicitly approved for indexing.

  • Audi P0201

    Expansion-candidate noindex child page

    Open

07 / Related codes

  • P0200
  • P0202
  • P0203
  • P0204
  • P0301
  • P0171

08 / FAQ

Is P0201 a bad injector?

Often yes, but not always. The problem can also be in the wiring, connector, fuse, or PCM control circuit.

Will P0201 cause a misfire?

Yes. If cylinder 1 is not getting proper fuel injector control, that cylinder can misfire and run poorly.

Can a dirty injector cause P0201?

Yes. A clogged or dirty injector can sometimes trigger this code if it cannot operate correctly.

Should I replace the injector first?

Not always. It is best to inspect the connector and wiring first, then test the injector before replacing parts.

09 / Source and method

DATA BASIS
OBD-II REFERENCE + OBD2.HELP
METHOD
STATIC VALIDATION
SAFETY
INFORMATIONAL

This page combines OBD-II diagnostic reference data with OBD2.help generated diagnostic guidance for code meaning, likely causes, and repair direction.

Publishing uses deterministic schema and build validation, plus manual spot checks on representative pages before release.

Safety-critical diagnosis and repairs should be confirmed with a qualified mechanic, especially when the vehicle is misfiring, overheating, or losing power.