P02A1
Cylinder 2 - Injector Leaking
Fuel injectors
Generic OBD-II
High
What it means
P02A1 means the ECM has determined that the cylinder 2 fuel injector is leaking — it passes fuel when it should be closed. The extra fuel makes that cylinder run rich, causing hard starting (especially hot), rough idle, and misfire, and it can wash down the cylinder wall and dilute the engine oil. The injector itself needs testing and replacement.
High
Can I keep driving? It usually still starts and drives, but a leaking injector causes rough running and can wash fuel into the oil, so repair it promptly.
Common symptoms
What you'll notice
- Check-engine light on
- Hard starting, especially a hot restart
- Rough idle or a cylinder-2 misfire
- Fuel smell or black smoke; possible fuel in the oil
- Reduced fuel economy
Common causes
Most likely first
- Leaking or stuck-open cylinder 2 injector (worn seat or needle)Likely
- Contaminated fuel or debris holding the injector openCommon
- Worn injector nozzle (diesel)Common
- Injector control or wiring fault causing over-delivery (less likely)Less often
How to diagnose & fix
Work through it in order
- Read freeze-frame data and check fuel trims and for a cylinder-2 misfire (P0302).
- Perform an injector leak-down or balance test to confirm the leak.
- Inspect the cylinder 2 spark plug for fuel fouling.
- Replace the leaking injector; change the oil if it has been fuel-diluted.
- Clear the code and re-test.
FAQ
Quick answers
Is it safe to drive with P02A1?+
Only briefly. A leaking injector floods cylinder 2 with fuel, causing hard starts and misfire, and can dilute the engine oil — which risks engine wear. Repair it promptly.
Can I just clear P02A1?+
It returns because the injector is physically leaking. The injector needs to be tested and replaced, not just cleared.
Related codes
Often seen with P02A1
Read & clear P02A1 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