P0205 Fault in the electrical circuit for the fuel injector on cylinder 5

Injector circuit malfunction, cylinder 5

P0205 in short

P0205 means the computer found a fault in the electrical circuit of the fuel injector on cylinder 5. It is usually a damaged injector wire or connector, a failed injector, or rarely the computer. Expect a misfire or rough running, so get it inspected soon and avoid driving hard.

The computer switches each injector on and off and checks that current follows. If cylinder 5's injector circuit does not respond the way it should, the computer sets P0205. Which cylinder is number 5 depends on the engine's layout, so check the service information for yours.

TroubleCodes.net lists a failed injector or the computer's injector driver as the causes, and says the code often comes with misfire codes. In practice, bulletins from Ford, GM and Ram point first to the injector wiring and connectors before the injector itself.

Owner complaints on the 3.6L Pentastar Jeep and Chrysler models show P0205 together with P0305, the cylinder 5 misfire code, so the fault and the misfire appear as one problem.

Most likely causes

  1. Damaged injector wiring or loose connector terminals

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    GM tells dealers to inspect the engine harness for damage, and Ford says to check the injector connectors for spread terminals before or after replacing an injector. A 2019 Pacifica owner reports a dealer harness repair before the code returned.
    What would change this
    Rises if the injector connector shows spread or corroded terminals, chafed wires, or the fault changes when the harness is wiggled. Falls if the wiring tests good from the connector to the computer.
    How to test the fuel injector

  2. Failed fuel injector for cylinder 5

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    TroubleCodes.net lists a failed injector as one of two main causes, and GM's 2021-2022 bulletin replaces the injector together with its harness.
    What would change this
    Rises if the wiring is good and the injector coil resistance is out of specification or swapping injectors moves the code. Falls if the injector tests normal.
    How to test the fuel injector

  3. Wiring loom in the valve cover gasket (2007-2012 Ram)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    FCA's bulletin for 2007-2012 Ram trucks says to check the wiring loom and connector in the valve cover gasket, and the nut torque, before replacing injectors for these codes.
    What would change this
    Rises on a Ram in that range if the loom, connector or its attaching nuts are damaged or loose. Falls on other vehicles.
    How to test the fuel injector

  4. Engine computer injector driver

    Possible — needs testing
    Why it ranks here
    TroubleCodes.net lists the computer's injector driver as the second cause but says to look at wiring and the injector first.
    What would change this
    Rises if the injector and wiring both test good and the driver output is missing on a pulse test. Falls if the wiring or injector is faulty.
    How to test the engine control module (ecm / pcm)

What to test first

Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.

  1. Read all stored codes and freeze-frame data, and note any misfire codes such as P0305 and any injector codes for other cylinders.

    Low riskTool: OBD-II scan tool

    • IfThe engine misfires hard, stalls, or will not start

      It meansDo not keep driving; have it inspected.

      Go to step 2

    • IfOnly P0205 is stored or it comes with P0305

      It meansThe fault points at cylinder 5. Inspect the wiring next.

      Go to step 2

  2. With the engine off and cool, look over the injector connector and harness for cylinder 5 for loose, spread or corroded terminals and chafed wiring.

    Use cautionTool: flashlight, wiring diagram

    Warning:Keep your hands, tools and clothing clear of belts, fans and hot exhaust parts, and do not unplug an injector with the engine running because fuel is under pressure.

  3. Have a shop check the injector coil resistance, test the circuit for pulses with a noid light or scope, and, on a 2007-2012 Ram, check the loom in the valve cover gasket.

    Best left to a shopTool: digital multimeter, noid light or scope

    Warning:Fuel injectors are under high pressure and sit near hot engine parts. Relieving pressure and testing in the right order is shop work.

Symptoms

  • Check engine light
  • Misfire, rough running or shaking
  • Engine stalls or cranks but does not start Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.
  • Reduced power Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.

Compare with: Car shaking with the check engine light on

How to fix

  1. Ask a dealer whether your VIN has an open bulletin for injector circuit codes. Ford, GM and FCA have issued them.

  2. With the engine off and cool, look over the visible injector connector for cylinder 5 for loose, spread or corroded terminals.

    Warning:Keep clear of belts, fans and hot exhaust parts.

Parts and cost context

  • Fuel injector:A bulletin may replace the injector and harness together, and a wiring repair is often cheaper than an injector. Labor varies; get a quote.

Labor varies by vehicle and shop; get a quote before you approve a repair.

Compare used part prices on PartPriceGuide

On your vehicle

Jeep

  • 2014 · Wrangler

    Supported by vehicle data

    A 2014 Wrangler Unlimited 3.6L owner reports P0205 with P0305 and says the cylinder 5 injector coil had already been replaced. No bulletin was found for this pairing.

Chrysler

  • 2017–2019 · Pacifica

    Supported by vehicle data

    Owners of a 2019 and a 2017 Pacifica report P0205 with P0305; one says a dealer replaced the main harness and coil and the fault returned. No bulletin was found.

Ford

  • 2021 · Expedition

    Supported by vehicle data

    Ford SSM 49759 covers a 2021 Expedition with no-start, misfire or rough running and injector circuit codes including P0205; check the injector connectors for spread terminals.

  • SSM 49759 (ford)Status unverified

    No-start, rough running or misfire with injector circuit codes

    2021expedition · NHTSA 10191523

    Follow the pinpoint tests; if an injector is replaced, check the injector harness connections for spread terminals.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Chevrolet

  • 2020–2022 · Silverado 1500

    Supported by vehicle data

    GM PIT5751 tells dealers to inspect the engine harness for damage, and 22-NA-087 replaces the injector and wiring harness for these codes.

  • PIT5751 (chevrolet)Status unverified

    MIL with injector circuit codes, inspect harness

    2020silverado-1500 · NHTSA 10178321

    Preliminary information telling dealers to inspect the engine wiring harness for damage.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • 22-NA-087 (chevrolet)Status unverified

    Replace the fuel injector and wiring harness

    2021–2022silverado-1500, suburban · NHTSA 10211935

    Replace the injector and the wiring harness for a light with P0201-P0206 and/or P0216.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Ram

  • 2007–2012 · 1500

    Supported by vehicle data

    FCA bulletin 9002688 says to check the wiring loom in the valve cover gasket before replacing injectors for injector circuit codes.

  • 9002688Status unverified

    Check the wiring loom in the valve cover gasket before replacing injectors

    2007–20121500, 2500 · NHTSA 10128971

    Make sure the wiring loom or connector in the valve cover gasket is not the root cause, and that the wiring nuts are torqued correctly, before replacing injectors.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • P0305Misfire detected in cylinder 5

    Shares causes Supported by vehicle data

    P0305 is the cylinder 5 misfire code. Owner complaints on 2014-2019 Wrangler and Pacifica show P0205 and P0305 together.

  • P0201The engine computer has detected an electrical fault in the cylinder 1 fuel injector circuit

    Same system Supported by vehicle data

    P0201 is the same injector circuit fault on cylinder 1. GM, Ford and FCA bulletins list P0201-P0206 together.

All Fuel pump and injectors codes

P0205 questions

Is P0205 the same as P0305?

No. P0205 is an electrical fault in the cylinder 5 injector circuit, and P0305 is a cylinder 5 misfire. They often appear together, but a misfire has many other causes.

Can I drive with P0205?

Short, gentle trips may be possible, but a dead injector circuit can cause misfire and stalling. Get it inspected soon, and stop if the engine runs rough or stalls.

Sources and review

  1. P0205 injector 5 circuit malfunction — TroubleCodes.net
  2. Ford SSM 49759: no-start, rough running or misfire with P0201-P0206 (2021 Expedition and Navigator) — Ford Motor Company
  3. GM 22-NA-087: replace the fuel injector and wiring harness for P0201-P0206 and/or P0216 (2021-2022 trucks and SUVs) — General Motors
  4. NHTSA complaint ODI 11694432, 2017 Chrysler Pacifica: misfire codes including P0205 and P0305 with a coolant smell — NHTSA
  5. GM PIT5751: MIL with P0201-P0206 and P0216, inspect engine wiring harness (2020-2021 trucks and SUVs) — General Motors
  6. NHTSA complaint ODI 11531350, 2019 Chrysler Pacifica: P0205 and P0305 read at a parts store; dealer had replaced the harness and coil — NHTSA
  7. FCA 9002688: before replacing injectors for P0201-P0206, check the wiring loom in the valve cover gasket (2007-2012 Ram) — FCA US LLC
  8. NHTSA complaint ODI 11325006, 2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited: P0205 and P0305 on a 3.6L, cylinder 5 coil already replaced — NHTSA
  9. On-Board Diagnostic Trouble Codes (generic code title list) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
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