P0290
Cylinder 10 Contribution/Balance
Fuel injection / cylinder balance
Generic OBD-II
High
What it means
P0290 means cylinder 10 isn't contributing its fair share of power compared with the other cylinders. The ECM watches how evenly each cylinder pulls and flags cylinder 10 as weak. A worn or clogged injector is the usual cause, though low compression or a wiring fault can be behind it too. The engine runs rough and down on power, but a single weak cylinder won't stop it from starting.
High
Can I keep driving? Usually drivable but rough — cylinder 10 isn't pulling its weight, so expect a rough idle and lost power. Fix it before it fouls or damages the converter.
Common symptoms
What you'll notice
- Check-engine light on
- Rough idle or noticeable vibration
- Reduced power and hesitation
- Occasional misfire feel from cylinder 10
Common causes
Most likely first
- Weak, clogged, or failing injector on cylinder 10Likely
- Low compression on cylinder 10 (valve or ring wear)Common
- Wiring or connector fault at the cylinder 10 injectorCommon
- Fuel delivery or intake issue affecting cylinder 10Less often
- Failed engine control module (ECM) (rare)Less often
How to diagnose & fix
Work through it in order
- Read freeze-frame data and compare cylinder contribution/balance readings with a scan tool.
- Test the cylinder 10 injector electrically and swap it with a neighboring cylinder to see if the imbalance follows.
- Inspect the injector connector and wiring for damage or corrosion.
- Run a compression or leak-down test on cylinder 10 if the injector checks out.
- Address fuel-delivery or intake faults; clear and re-test.
FAQ
Quick answers
Is it safe to drive with P0290?+
Short-term, yes, but a weak cylinder makes the engine run rough and can wash fuel into the exhaust, risking converter damage. Repair it soon.
Can I just clear P0290?+
It returns once the ECM re-measures cylinder 10 falling short. The injector or mechanical cause has to be fixed.
Related codes
Often seen with P0290
Read & clear P0290 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