Fuel and air

P02B0 — Cylinder 6 Fuel Injector Restricted Flow

Severity: medium Drive with care, to a shop

What P02B0 means

The engine control module (ECM) detected, through fuel trim corrections, oxygen sensor readings or uneven cylinder performance, that the cylinder 6 injector is flowing less fuel than commanded. Normally the injector opens for a precisely calculated time and sprays a fine fuel mist. When it is clogged or worn, that cylinder runs lean.

Symptoms

  • Rough idle and vibration
  • Loss of power and sluggish acceleration
  • Higher fuel consumption
  • Misfire on cylinder 6
  • Check Engine Light on
  • Hesitation when pressing the accelerator

Possible causes

  1. Clogged or partially blocked cylinder 6 injector
  2. Worn or faulty internal injector mechanism
  3. Open, short or poor connection in the injector wiring or connector
  4. Low fuel pressure from a weak pump or clogged filter
  5. Intake air leak leaning out the mixture
  6. Rarely, an ECM fault

How to diagnose

  1. Scan all codes and freeze frame data, and look for related misfire or lean codes.
  2. Review short-term and long-term fuel trims at idle and under load.
  3. Inspect the cylinder 6 injector connector and wiring for corrosion or damage.
  4. Measure injector resistance and check the control signal from the ECM with a scope or noid light.
  5. Compare cylinder contribution or misfire data, then swap the injector with a neighbor: if the fault follows it, the injector is bad.
  6. Test fuel pressure and check the fuel filter and pump.
  7. Check the intake system for air leaks, for example with a smoke machine.

Common fixes

  • Professionally clean the cylinder 6 injector
  • Replace the cylinder 6 injector
  • Repair the injector wiring or connector
  • Fix fuel pressure problems by replacing the filter or pump
  • Repair intake air leaks

Questions and answers

What does P02B0 mean?

The ECM sees that the cylinder 6 injector is not flowing enough fuel. A clogged injector is the most common cause, but wiring faults or low fuel pressure can also trigger it.

Can I drive with P02B0?

Only for a short time and without heavy loads. A lean mixture and misfires can damage the catalytic converter and engine, so don't put off diagnosis.

Will fuel injector cleaner fix P02B0?

If the injector is just dirty, a professional bench cleaning can help. Tank additives are usually weaker. A worn injector or wiring issue needs replacement or repair instead.

This is general information about the code. The meaning can differ between makes and models: a scan tool and the repair manual for your car will show the exact cause.