P0283: Cylinder 8 Injector "A" Circuit High
The voltage in the injector circuit of cylinder 8 is higher than the engine control unit expects.
High risk
The engine may misfire and lose power. Have it checked soon.
Short answer · Can I keep driving with P0283?
Only gently and for short distances. Cylinder 8 may get no fuel, so the engine shakes and loses power, and unburnt fuel can harm the catalytic converter. Have it checked soon.
What does P0283 mean?
P0283 means the engine control unit, which switches the injector of cylinder 8 on and off, sees a higher voltage in its control wire than it should. An open circuit in the injector wire or coil, an unplugged connector or a missing supply voltage to the injector are typical causes.
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 P0283
Can I swap injectors to test P0283?
On many petrol engines, yes: swap the injector with a neighbouring cylinder and see whether the code moves. If it moves, the injector is faulty; if not, check the wiring and connector. On diesel and direct-injection engines, leave this to a workshop.
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.