P0277: Cylinder 6 fuel injector circuit reads high voltage

Injector 6 circuit high / cylinder 6 injector circuit high

Severity: Severity not verified — if the car runs badly, have it inspected

No source here rates the urgency of an injector circuit fault, so the class is not verified. One cylinder may get the wrong fuel delivery, so the engine can run rough or lose power.

It gets more serious if:

  • Inspect soon: Inspect soon if the engine runs rough, loses power or knocks. TroubleCodes.net lists these as symptoms of an injector circuit problem.

Source: how we rate severity

P0277 in short

P0277 means the engine computer found the cylinder 6 fuel injector circuit reading high voltage. Wiring faults, a loose or corroded connector, or a faulty injector are the usual causes. Rough running or power loss means have it checked soon; a steady light alone can wait a short while.

The computer drives each fuel injector through its own circuit and watches the voltage on it. P0277 is the code for cylinder 6: the circuit voltage was high when the computer checked it.

TroubleCodes.net lists wiring that is shorted to ground, loose or corroded connectors and a faulty injector control module for the low-voltage version, and a short to positive, the injector or the computer for the high-voltage version. The computer itself is the least likely cause.

Because the code names one cylinder, the check starts at that injector and its connector.

Most likely causes

These are general causes for this code across vehicles. None is specific to one make or model.

  1. Cause 1: Short, open or loose or corroded connector in the injector circuit

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    TroubleCodes.net names wiring shorts and connector problems among the main causes: Wiring short to positive, a faulty injector or engine computer.
    What would change this
    Rises if the connector is loose, green or wet or the harness is damaged. Falls if the wiring tests good.
  2. Cause 2: Faulty injector on cylinder 6

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    The injector is listed as a possible cause on the reference page; check it once the wiring is cleared.
    What would change this
    Rises if the injector does not click or its coil reading is out of range. Falls if it clicks and tests like the others.
    How to test the fuel injector
  3. Cause 3: Injector driver or control module, or the engine computer

    Possible — needs testing
    Why it ranks here
    Listed as a less common cause; check only after the injector and wiring pass.
    What would change this
    Rises if power reaches the injector but the driver does not switch it. Falls if the circuit or injector is at fault.
    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. Step 1: With the engine off, look at the cylinder 6 injector connector and wiring for looseness, corrosion or damage.

    Low risk

  2. Step 2: Have the injector listened to with the engine running, and compare it with the others.

    Best left to a shopTool: stethoscope

    Warning:The engine is running with belts and fans next to the injectors. A shop should do this.

  3. Step 3: Check for power at the injector connector and whether the engine computer switches the other side.

    Best left to a shopTool: multimeter

    Warning:Injector circuits can carry high voltage on some engines; back-probe with the right meter or leave it to a shop.

Symptoms

  • Check engine light
  • Rough running
  • Loss of power during acceleration Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.

How to fix

  1. Step 1: With the engine off and cool, check that the injector connector for that cylinder is fully seated and free of corrosion.

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 PartPriceGuide

On your vehicle

We don't have reviewed vehicle-specific evidence for P0277 yet. The causes and tests above apply across vehicles.

No curated relationships for P0277 yet.

All Fuel pump and injectors codes

Sources and review

  1. P0277 trouble code — TroubleCodes.net
  2. On-Board Diagnostic Trouble Codes (generic code title list) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
Editorial review
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Technician review
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