What Does P0267 Mean?
The ECM has detected that cylinder 2 is not contributing its fair share of power to the engine, or the balance between cylinders is off with cylinder 2 underperforming. This is determined by monitoring crankshaft acceleration patterns during the power stroke of each cylinder. The driver will likely notice a rough idle, misfire sensation, reduced power, and possibly increased vibration.
Common Causes
35%
Faulty fuel injector on cylinder 2 — clogged, stuck closed, or weak spray pattern
25%
Low compression on cylinder 2 due to worn rings, burnt valve, or blown head gasket
20%
Injector circuit wiring fault causing reduced or no injector pulse on cylinder 2
12%
Intake or exhaust restriction specific to cylinder 2 (carbon buildup, bent valve)
8%
High-pressure fuel supply issue affecting cylinder 2 delivery (diesel)
Diagnostic Steps
1
Check cylinder 2 contribution rate in live data and compare to other cylinders — a significant deviation (typically >4 mg/stroke on diesel) confirms the imbalance.
2
Perform a cylinder compression test on all cylinders — cylinder 2 should be within 10% of the highest reading. If low, perform a wet test (add oil) to differentiate rings from valves.
3
On diesel engines, perform an injector leak-back test — collect return fuel from each injector into graduated cylinders. Cylinder 2 should not leak significantly more than others.
4
Monitor cylinder 2 injector current waveform with a current clamp and oscilloscope — verify the ECM is commanding the correct pulse width and the injector is responding with proper current draw (peak and hold pattern).
5
If injector and compression are acceptable, inspect cylinder 2 glow plug operation (diesel) or spark plug/ignition coil (gasoline) to ensure proper combustion initiation.
Estimated Repair Cost
$150 - $1,500
Parts + labor, varies by vehicle and location
The ECM has detected that cylinder 2 is not contributing its fair share of power to the engine, or the balance between cylinders is off with cylinder 2 underperforming. This is determined by monitoring crankshaft acceleration patterns during the power stroke of each cylinder. The driver will likely ...
The most common cause of P0267 (Cylinder 2 Contribution/Balance Fault) is: Faulty fuel injector on cylinder 2 — clogged, stuck closed, or weak spray pattern
Typical repair costs for P0267 range from $150 to $1,500, depending on the vehicle, location, and whether you do it yourself or go to a shop.
The vehicle can generally be driven short distances with reduced power, but prolonged operation with a cylinder imbalance can damage the catalytic converter, cause excessive exhaust temperatures, or lead to further engine damage. Have it diagnosed soon.
Start by connecting an OBD2 scanner to read the code and any freeze frame data. Then follow the diagnostic steps specific to P0267 to identify the root cause.
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Quick Info
Category
Powertrain
System
Fuel Injection / Engine Mechanical
Difficulty
Type
Generic (SAE)
Recommended Tools
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