P0205
Cylinder 5 Injector A Circuit
Injector circuit
Generic OBD-II
High
What it means
P0205 means the ECM has detected an electrical fault in the fuel injector circuit for cylinder 5 — typically an open or short in the injector coil, wiring, or connector. When cylinder 5's injector doesn't fire correctly, that cylinder misfires: the engine runs rough, loses power, and wastes fuel. Because a sustained misfire can damage the catalytic converter, it's best to diagnose and repair it promptly.
High
Can I keep driving? Drivable but not recommended — cylinder 5 may misfire and run rough; sustained misfire can damage the catalytic converter, so fix it soon.
Common symptoms
What you'll notice
- Check-engine light on
- Misfire on cylinder 5
- Rough idle and shaking
- Reduced power and hesitation
- Possible fuel smell or increased fuel consumption
Common causes
Most likely first
- Faulty fuel injector on cylinder 5 (open or shorted coil)Likely
- Open or shorted wiring in the cylinder 5 injector circuitCommon
- Corroded or loose injector connectorCommon
- Failed ECM/PCM injector driver (rare)Less often
How to diagnose & fix
Work through it in order
- Confirm the fault is cylinder 5 and check for related misfire codes (P0305).
- Measure the cylinder 5 injector's coil resistance and compare to the other injectors.
- Inspect the injector connector and wiring for damage, corrosion, or opens/shorts.
- Verify the ECM is pulsing the injector (noid light or scope) and check power/ground.
- Replace the injector or repair the wiring as needed. Clear and re-test.
FAQ
Quick answers
Is it safe to drive with P0205?+
Only briefly. If cylinder 5 isn't firing properly, raw fuel and a persistent misfire can overheat and damage the catalytic converter. Keep driving to a minimum until it's repaired.
Can I just clear P0205?+
It returns quickly while the injector circuit is faulty, and the misfire comes back with it. Repair the injector or its wiring first.
Related codes
Often seen with P0205
Read & clear P0205 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