Meaning of P0200 Generic OBD2 Trouble Code
The technical definition of P0200 code is: Injector Circuit Malfunction
This means the ECU is detecting a short, open circuit, or out of range performance from the fuel injectors. When the check engine light illuminates and the DTC is displayed, the engine will run in failsafe mode until the error is fixed or rectified.
The P0200 OBD2 code is related to other engine misfire trouble codes like P0201, P0202, P0203, and P0300. However, this trouble code may or may not signify a problem with the injectors. If the code is not accompanied by other trouble codes, the rule of thumb is to check the wiring harness of the injectors in the vehicle.
The Car Doctor did a good job diagnosing this code on a Chevy and ended up finding a broken injector connector!
What causes a P0200 Fault?
The causes of this fault can range from failing injectors to a basic wiring problem. But other potential causes include a shorted injector, a grounded driver circuit, an out-of-spec fuel injector, and poor electrical connections.
Read more about troubleshooting injectors
The most common symptoms I’ve encountered are:
- Clogged/Failed/Dirty Injector
- Broken injector connector
- Wiring harness fault
The good news is the P0200 OBD-II code is mostly seen on older vehicles that are more than four or five years old. If you have a newer car, take the vehicle to the stealership and have the problem fixed under warranty. It is not uncommon for some engine components to prematurely fail even if the car is new.
What are the symptoms of P0200 OBD-II Code?
The symptoms will vary wildly. Since this OBD2 code is associated with the circuits in the fuel injectors, you can expect engine problems like hard starting or a no start condition, excessive fuel consumption, strong-smelling exhaust fumes (if the vehicle is running), engine misfiring, rough idling, and poor acceleration. Of course, the first sign of a problem is the presence of a check engine light.
- Check Engine Light illuminated
- Engine won’t start or hard to start
- Poor acceleration
But in some cases, the vehicle will run fine except for intermittent bouts of idling instability and hesitation. It all depends on the severity of the problem. If one or multiple injectors are failing, the engine will refuse to start.
How much does it cost to fix P0200 DTC?
Again, the cost of fixing this generic fault will depend on the severity of the problem. If the check engine light is caused by one or more faulty injectors, you can expect to spend upwards of $600 to $1000 for labor and parts. If you have an older vehicle, replacing all the injectors instead of replacing just the faulty parts is the wiser choice.
But if the fault code is caused by faulty or frayed wiring, fixing the problem won’t cost you more than $50-$100. The difficulty in troubleshooting this is making a correct diagnosis. If the engine refuses to start, the mechanic should check the fuel delivery system, especially if the check engine light displays a P0200 code. The fuel rail and the injectors should be checked separately to rule out a wiring problem. It is always best to check all the parts before buying a new and complete set to maximize your savings.
If you haven’t already, consider running some fuel injector cleaner and see if that helps.
-Mike
