P0269
Cylinder 3 Contribution/Balance
Fuel injection / cylinder balance
Generic OBD-II
High
What it means
P0269 means cylinder 3 isn't contributing its fair share of power compared with the other cylinders — the ECM measures it running weak. That usually points to a fuel-delivery problem at that cylinder (a clogged or failing injector) or low compression. The engine runs rough and down on power, but it's a single-cylinder issue rather than a whole-engine failure.
High
Can I keep driving? Drivable but rough — cylinder 3 isn't pulling its weight, so expect a shaky idle and lost power; fix it before it worsens.
Common symptoms
What you'll notice
- Check-engine light on
- Rough idle and engine vibration
- Misfire-like stumble or hesitation
- Reduced power and acceleration
Common causes
Most likely first
- Clogged, weak, or failing fuel injector on cylinder 3Likely
- Injector wiring or connector fault on cylinder 3Common
- Low compression on cylinder 3 (valve or ring wear)Common
- Restricted fuel supply reaching that cylinderLess often
- Failed injector driver in the PCM (rare)Less often
How to diagnose & fix
Work through it in order
- Scan and read freeze-frame data; run a cylinder contribution/balance test to confirm cylinder 3 is weak.
- Inspect the injector wiring and connector on cylinder 3.
- Test the injector's resistance and spray; clean or replace it if it's clogged or weak.
- Run a compression test on cylinder 3 to rule out a mechanical cause.
- If injector and compression are good, check fuel supply and the PCM driver. Clear and re-test.
FAQ
Quick answers
Is it safe to drive with P0269?+
Briefly, yes, but a weak cylinder makes the engine run rough and can lead to misfires. Have it repaired soon.
Can I just clear P0269?+
It returns within a few drive cycles until the injector, compression, or fuel-supply issue on cylinder 3 is fixed.
Related codes
Often seen with P0269
Read & clear P0269 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