P0201moderate severityGenerally driveableP0201 Code: Cylinder 1 Injector Circuit Malfunction/Open
Written in plain English and reviewed by the eli5cars editorial team · Last reviewed June 2026
What it means in plain English
Each fuel injector is an electrically controlled valve that the ECM pulses open and closed many times per second to spray precisely the right amount of fuel into the cylinder. P0201 means the ECM sent a command to the cylinder 1 injector's circuit and detected an open circuit — essentially, no current flowing where it expects to see it, as if the injector isn't electrically connected at all. This usually points to a wiring or connector problem, or a genuinely dead injector coil, rather than a fuel-quality or clogging issue — those tend to show up as a misfire code instead. Because cylinder 1 gets no fuel at all with an open circuit, expect noticeably rough running until it's fixed.
Most likely causes — ranked
#1 Damaged, corroded, or disconnected wiring/connector at the cylinder 1 injector
most likelyFix: Injector connectors sit close to hot engine components and are handled during other engine work, making them a common failure point. Inspect the connector for melted insulation, corrosion, or water intrusion, and check that it's fully seated. Repair or replace any damaged wiring.
#2 Failed injector solenoid coil (open circuit) inside the cylinder 1 injector itself
likelyFix: Unplug the injector and use a multimeter to check resistance across its two terminals, comparing the reading to factory spec (commonly around 12–16 ohms for high-impedance injectors, though it varies by vehicle). Infinite resistance (OL) confirms an open coil inside the injector — replace it.
#3 Blown fuse or damaged injector driver circuit in the wiring harness
likelyFix: Some vehicles group multiple injectors on a shared fuse — check the fuse box for a blown injector or fuel injection fuse. Also inspect the harness for damage along its length between the ECM and the injector, since a break anywhere in that run produces the same open-circuit symptom.
#4 Faulty ECM injector driver circuit (rare)
possibleFix: Only after confirming the injector itself and the wiring both test good should the ECM's internal driver be suspected. This is uncommon and usually turns out to be a wiring short rather than true ECM failure — a shop with a scan tool can command the injector and check for proper driver output to confirm before recommending any ECM-level work.
Check engine light on? Get a free code scan
If your check engine light is on, most auto-parts stores (AutoZone, O'Reilly, Advance) will read the code for FREE — no purchase required, just walk in. Bring the code back here and look it up at eli5cars.com/obd2 for the plain-English explanation.
Note: a scan only helps when there's an active fault code. For purely mechanical symptoms (noises, vibrations, leaks), a scan may show nothing — the suspects listed above are your starting point.
Want to read the codes yourself?
First, the free option: AutoZone, O’Reilly, and Advance Auto Parts read your codes for free — no purchase needed. That’s the cheapest way to get the code to look up here. If you’d rather have your own so you can check anytime (and clear a code after a fix), the Veepeak OBDCheck BLE is an inexpensive, reliable plug-in reader that pairs with a free phone app and works on any car sold since 1996.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I drive with P0201?
Not recommended for extended driving. Cylinder 1 isn't getting any fuel at all, so the engine will run rough, and unburned fuel or excess fuel from the other cylinders compensating can damage the catalytic converter over time. If the check engine light is flashing, stop driving and get it towed or diagnosed immediately.
Is P0201 the same as a cylinder 1 misfire code (P0301)?
Related but different. P0201 specifically flags an electrical circuit fault, an open circuit, on the injector itself — often the reason a cylinder is misfiring in the first place. You may see both codes together, since a dead injector circuit will also trigger a misfire code.
How can I tell if the injector or the wiring is at fault?
Unplug the injector connector and test the injector's resistance directly with a multimeter. If it reads within spec, the problem is in the wiring or connector between the ECM and the injector, not the injector itself.
What does it cost to fix P0201 at a shop?
If it's just wiring or a connector, expect roughly $100 to $200. If the injector itself needs replacing, expect $200 to $350 depending on the vehicle and injector type — some direct-injection systems cost more.