P0206: Injector Circuit/Open – Cylinder 6
The engine control unit has detected an electrical fault in the cylinder 6 injector circuit.
High risk
The engine can misfire and lose power. Drive gently and have it checked soon.
Short answer · Can I keep driving with P0206?
Only gently and for short distances. Cylinder 6 may get no fuel, so the engine shakes and loses power. Have it checked soon.
What does P0206 mean?
Code P0206 means the control unit detected an open circuit or another electrical fault in the injector for cylinder 6, on engines with six or more cylinders.
What the car does when the code is set
The check engine light comes on, often with a misfire code. The cylinder gets little or no fuel, so the engine runs on fewer cylinders, shakes and loses power.
How the system works
Each fuel injector is an electrically controlled valve. The engine control unit switches it on and off very precisely to spray the right amount of fuel. It also monitors the electrical circuit: if the injector does not draw current as expected, because of an open circuit or a short, it stores an injector circuit code for that cylinder.
Common symptoms
Possible causes
Listed without ranking. The cause on your car depends on make, engine and mileage — see the maker notes below.
- Open or damaged injector wiringA broken wire or loose connector stops the injector from being controlled.
- Failed injector coilThe electrical winding inside the injector can open or short.
- Corroded connectorMoisture and oil around the injectors cause poor contact.
- Fuse or supply faultInjectors usually share a power supply through a fuse or relay.
- Engine control unit driver faultLess common, but the output that switches the injector can fail.
How it is diagnosed
- Check for misfire on the same cylinderAn injector circuit fault usually causes a misfire code on that cylinder too.
- Inspect the connector and wiringLook for loose, corroded or damaged plugs and wires at the injector.
- Measure injector resistanceCompare the injector coil resistance with the service data and with the other injectors.
- Check supply and control signalA workshop checks power at the injector and the control signal from the engine control unit.Fuel systems can hold high pressure even with the engine off; never open fuel lines without depressurising them.
Questions about P0206
Is P0206 always the injector?
No. Connectors and wiring are common causes. Measure the injector resistance and check the wiring first.
Can I swap injectors to test?
On some engines, yes: if the fault moves with the injector, the injector is faulty. On high-pressure diesel and petrol systems, injectors may need coding and new seals, so leave this to a workshop.