What Does P0293 Mean?
Cylinder 11 is not contributing properly to engine power output, creating a measurable imbalance detected through crankshaft acceleration analysis. The ECM monitors each cylinder's contribution and flags this code when cylinder 11 deviates beyond the acceptable threshold. Symptoms include rough idle, engine vibration, reduced power, and possible exhaust smoke.
Common Causes
35%
Faulty or degraded cylinder 11 fuel injector delivering incorrect fuel quantity or spray pattern
25%
Compression loss on cylinder 11 due to worn piston rings, valve damage, or head gasket failure
20%
Fuel supply restriction or pressure drop affecting cylinder 11 delivery
12%
Electrical issue in cylinder 11 injector circuit preventing proper injector actuation
8%
Valve train mechanical fault on cylinder 11 such as cam lobe wear or broken valve spring
Diagnostic Steps
1
Access Mode 06 test results and review cylinder 11 contribution data; compare its deviation value against the pass/fail threshold and against other cylinders.
2
Perform a relative compression test via cranking RPM analysis; cylinder 11 amplitude should be within 10% of the average across all cylinders.
3
Test cylinder 11 injector delivery by commanding an injector balance test through the scan tool and monitoring RPM drop (should be consistent with other cylinders).
4
Conduct a cylinder leak-down test on cylinder 11 at TDC compression; leakage below 10% is normal. Listen at intake, exhaust, oil filler, and adjacent cylinder for air escape.
5
Swap cylinder 11 injector with a known-good cylinder, clear codes, and run the balance test to isolate whether the fault follows the injector or stays at the cylinder.
Estimated Repair Cost
$200 - $1,800
Parts + labor, varies by vehicle and location
Cylinder 11 is not contributing properly to engine power output, creating a measurable imbalance detected through crankshaft acceleration analysis. The ECM monitors each cylinder's contribution and flags this code when cylinder 11 deviates beyond the acceptable threshold. Symptoms include rough idle...
The most common cause of P0293 (Cylinder 11 Contribution/Balance Fault) is: Faulty or degraded cylinder 11 fuel injector delivering incorrect fuel quantity or spray pattern
Typical repair costs for P0293 range from $200 to $1,800, depending on the vehicle, location, and whether you do it yourself or go to a shop.
Short-distance driving at reduced load is acceptable. Sustained operation with cylinder imbalance stresses engine bearings, may damage the catalytic converter or DPF, and wastes fuel. Have the vehicle diagnosed and repaired within a few days.
Start by connecting an OBD2 scanner to read the code and any freeze frame data. Then follow the diagnostic steps specific to P0293 to identify the root cause.
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Quick Info
Category
Powertrain
System
Fuel Injection System
Difficulty
Type
Generic (SAE)
Recommended Tools
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