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P0201 means cylinder 1's injector circuit is open - no current flowing means the injector never fires. This creates a dead cylinder and rough idle. Use a noid light to quickly determine if the PCM signal is present before replacing the injector. See top-rated scanners on Amazon ↗
🗺️ Where Is the Problem?
Blueprint view - P0201 fuel injector open circuit at cylinder 1
These are statistical causes across ALL vehicles - your exact car may rank differently
For example, on a Honda 4-cyl the downstream O2 sensor causes P0201 64% of the time, but on a GM 5.3L V8 the catalytic converter is the cause 71% of the time. Get a probability ranking built specifically for your year, make, model, and mileage.
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🎯 Top Causes & Probability
50%
#1 - Most Likely
Failed Fuel Injector - Open Circuit (Cylinder 1)
The fuel injector for cylinder 1 has developed an open circuit internally - no current flows so the injector never fires. Confirm with a noid light before replacing.
🔩 Part
$50–$300
👨🔧 Labor
$60–$150
⚡ DIY Difficulty
Medium
30%
#2 - Check First
Broken Wiring to Cylinder 1 Injector
A broken, corroded, or chafed wire in the injector harness creates an open circuit. Inspect harness routing for abrasion points near hot engine components.
🔩 Part
$20–$80
👨🔧 Labor
$50–$150
⚡ DIY Difficulty
Medium
12%
#3 - Less Common
Damaged Injector Connector
The connector has broken or corroded terminals. Back-pin connectors are a common failure mode on high-mileage vehicles. Inspect for cracked locking tabs or pushed-out pins.
🔩 Part
$15–$60
👨🔧 Labor
$30–$80
⚡ DIY Difficulty
Easy
8%
#4 -
PCM/ECM Injector Driver Failure
The PCM has lost the ability to drive the cylinder injector circuit. If injector, wiring, and connector all test good, the PCM driver may have failed.
🔩 Part
$200–$800
👨🔧 Labor
$100–$300
⚡ DIY Difficulty
Hard
🚗 Most Affected Vehicles
🔧 Step-by-Step Diagnosis
- Use a Noid Light to Confirm Signal - Unplug the suspect injector connector and insert a noid light. Crank the engine. The noid light should flash with each firing pulse. No flash indicates a wiring fault or PCM driver issue; a flashing light confirms the injector itself is the problem.
- Measure Injector Resistance - With the connector unplugged, measure resistance across the injector terminals. Most high-impedance injectors read 12–17 ohms. An infinite resistance reading confirms an open-circuit failed injector.
📍 Find a Trusted Shop Near You
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Tips for Choosing a Shop
- Ask if they charge a diagnostic fee and whether it applies toward the repair
- Request a written estimate before approving any work
- Ask specifically about the part brand - OEM vs. aftermarket matters for this code
- Check Google reviews for recent mentions of the specific repair you need