P0201
Cylinder 1 Injector A Circuit
Fuel injector circuit
Generic OBD-II
High
What it means
P0201 means the ECM has detected an electrical fault in the control circuit for the cylinder 1 fuel injector — typically an open, short, or connector problem, or a failed injector. With that cylinder not fuelling correctly the engine misfires, idles rough, and loses power. It's usually a wiring or injector issue, and worth fixing quickly to avoid catalytic-converter damage.
High
Can I keep driving? Drivable but rough — with the cylinder 1 injector circuit faulty that cylinder may not fire, so the engine misfires and loses power. Fix promptly to protect the catalyst.
Common symptoms
What you'll notice
- Check-engine light on
- Rough idle and misfire on cylinder 1
- Hesitation and reduced power
- Raw fuel smell if the injector stays open
Common causes
Most likely first
- Open or shorted cylinder 1 injector control circuit wiringLikely
- Corroded or loose connector at the injectorCommon
- Failed cylinder 1 fuel injector or its coil windingCommon
- Failed injector driver in the engine control module (rare)Less often
How to diagnose & fix
Work through it in order
- Read freeze-frame data and confirm the fault is on the cylinder 1 injector circuit.
- Inspect the injector connector and wiring for damage, corrosion, or an open.
- Measure the injector's resistance against spec and check for the ECM's drive signal.
- Replace the cylinder 1 injector if it's open or out of spec, or repair the circuit. Clear and re-test.
FAQ
Quick answers
Is it safe to drive with P0201?+
Only briefly. A dead or erratic cylinder 1 injector causes a misfire that dumps unburned fuel into the exhaust and can overheat the catalytic converter.
Can I just clear P0201?+
It'll come back — an electrical fault in the injector circuit is re-detected as soon as the ECM commands that injector.
Related codes
Often seen with P0201
Read & clear P0201 yourself
Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.
✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX