P0269: Cylinder 3 is not contributing as much power as the other cylinders
Cylinder 3 contribution/balance fault
Severity: Severity not verified — if the car runs badly, have it inspected
No source here rates the urgency of a cylinder balance fault, so the class is not verified. The cause can be a dirty injector or an engine mechanical problem, so the effect ranges from nothing noticeable to a rough, weak engine.
It gets more serious if:
- Inspect soon: Inspect soon if the engine misfires, runs rough, loses power or stalls.
P0269 in short
P0269 means the engine computer found cylinder 3 contributing less than the others, judged from crankshaft speed. TroubleCodes.net lists dirty injectors as the most common cause, then mechanical faults such as burnt valves, worn rings or a leaking head gasket.
The computer compares how much each cylinder speeds the crankshaft. P0269 is set when cylinder 3 falls short of the rest.
TroubleCodes.net says a dirty fuel injector is the most common reason. Mechanical faults such as burnt valves, worn piston rings or a leaking head gasket can also cut a cylinder's output.
Most likely causes
These are general causes for this code across vehicles. None is specific to one make or model.
Cause 1: Dirty or clogged injector on cylinder 3
Common general cause- Why it ranks here
- TroubleCodes.net names dirty injectors as the most common cause.
- What would change this
- Rises if a waveform or sound comparison shows injector 3 differs from its neighbours. Falls if it matches.
Cause 2: Engine mechanical fault on that cylinder (valves, rings, head gasket)
Possible — needs testing- Why it ranks here
- Listed by TroubleCodes.net as the other main group of causes.
- What would change this
- Rises if compression or leakdown differs noticeably from other cylinders. Falls if they match.
What to test first
Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.
Step 1: With the engine off, check the cylinder 3 injector connector for corrosion or water.
IfCorrosion or damage is found
It meansRepair the connector, then recheck.
IfThe connector is fine
It meansCompare the injector with its neighbours and test compression.
Step 2: Have a compression and leakdown test done and compare cylinders; readings should not differ by more than about 10%.
Warning:Testing involves removing spark plugs or glow plugs and cranking the engine with the fuel and ignition disabled; hot parts and a spinning engine are nearby. A shop should do this.
IfCylinder 3 is low
It meansA mechanical fault.
Points to: Engine mechanical fault on that cylinder (valves, rings, head gasket)
IfReadings match
It meansSuspect the injector.
Symptoms
- Check engine light
- Rough idle or misfire
- Reduced power and fuel economy
Compare with: Car shaking with the check engine light on
How to fix
Parts and cost context
- Fuel injector:Test the injector and wiring before replacing; labor varies, get a quote.
Labor varies by vehicle and shop; get a quote before you approve a repair.
Compare used part prices on PartPriceGuideOn your vehicle
KiaYour car
2014–2015 · Optima
Supported by vehicle dataKia bulletin TSBENG149 covers fuel injector replacement on some 2.4L GDI engines with a check engine light and P0269 among other cylinder codes. Whether it is still current is not verified.
2014–2015 · Sorento
Supported by vehicle dataKia bulletin TSBENG149 covers fuel injector replacement on some 2.4L GDI engines with a check engine light and P0269 among other cylinder codes. Whether it is still current is not verified.
2014–2015 · Sportage
Supported by vehicle dataKia bulletin TSBENG149 covers fuel injector replacement on some 2.4L GDI engines with a check engine light and P0269 among other cylinder codes. Whether it is still current is not verified.
TSBENG149Status unverified
2.4 GDI: MIL with P0263, P0266, P0269 and P0272 (fuel injector replacement)
2014–2015optima, sorento, sportage · issued · NHTSA 10089301
Kia bulletin about replacing the fuel injectors on some 2.4L GDI Sorento, Optima and Sportage vehicles with a check engine light and P0263, P0266, P0269 and/or P0272. Only the NHTSA summary was read.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
VolkswagenYour car
2013–2014 · Beetle
Supported by vehicle dataVolkswagen bulletin TB011409 covers a check engine light with cylinder contribution/balance faults, including P0269. Whether it is still current is not verified.
2010–2014 · Golf
Supported by vehicle dataVolkswagen bulletin TB011409 covers a check engine light with cylinder contribution/balance faults, including P0269. Whether it is still current is not verified.
2013–2014 · Jetta
Supported by vehicle dataVolkswagen bulletin TB011409 covers a check engine light with cylinder contribution/balance faults, including P0269. Whether it is still current is not verified.
TB011409Status unverified
Cylinder contribution/balance faults P0263, P0266, P0269 and/or P0272
2009–2014beetle, golf, jetta, jetta-sportwagen · issued · NHTSA 10241312
Volkswagen bulletin for a check engine light with cylinder contribution/balance faults stored (P0263, P0266, P0269 and/or P0272). Only the NHTSA summary was read; it gives no repair.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
Related codes
No curated relationships for P0269 yet.
Sources and review
- P0269 - Cylinder 3 Contribution/Balance Fault
- TSBENG149: 2.4 GDI: MIL with P0263, P0266, P0269 and P0272 (fuel injector replacement)
- TB011409: Cylinder contribution/balance faults P0263, P0266, P0269 and/or P0272
- On-Board Diagnostic Trouble Codes (generic code title list)
- Last reviewed
- Written by
- Saurabh K.
- Editorial review
- Pending
- Technician review
- Technician review pending
This page explains what a code usually means; it is not a substitute for a professional inspection. How we source and review · Report an error