What Does P1208 Mean?
P1208 indicates an open circuit or short to ground in the fuel injector circuit for cylinder 8. The ECM cannot properly drive the #8 injector, resulting in a dead cylinder on a V8 engine. This causes a noticeable misfire, rough idle, reduced power, and elevated emissions from incomplete combustion and catalytic converter overloading.
Common Causes
30%
Cylinder 8 fuel injector failure with internal open or ground short
25%
Corroded or broken wiring in the cylinder 8 injector circuit
20%
Poor electrical connection at the cylinder 8 injector plug
15%
ECM injector driver circuit failure for cylinder 8
10%
Wiring harness routed too close to exhaust manifold causing heat damage
Diagnostic Steps
1
Check freeze frame data and verify if a companion P0308 misfire code is also stored, confirming the cylinder 8 correlation.
2
Measure the cylinder 8 injector coil resistance and compare to factory specifications and other cylinders on the engine.
3
Physically inspect the cylinder 8 injector connector, harness routing, and nearby wire loom for heat damage, abrasion, or corrosion.
4
Test the injector circuit wiring from the ECM pins to the injector connector for continuity, opens, and shorts to ground or B+.
5
Verify the ECM driver signal at the cylinder 8 injector connector using a noid light or lab scope.
6
Swap the cylinder 8 injector with cylinder 7 to isolate whether the fault is the injector or the circuit/ECM driver.
Estimated Repair Cost
$175 - $700
Parts + labor, varies by vehicle and location
P1208 indicates an open circuit or short to ground in the fuel injector circuit for cylinder 8. The ECM cannot properly drive the #8 injector, resulting in a dead cylinder on a V8 engine. This causes a noticeable misfire, rough idle, reduced power, and elevated emissions from incomplete combustion a...
The most common cause of P1208 (Injector 8 Open Circuit or Ground Short Fault) is: Cylinder 8 fuel injector failure with internal open or ground short
Typical repair costs for P1208 range from $175 to $700, depending on the vehicle, location, and whether you do it yourself or go to a shop.
A misfiring cylinder 8 significantly reduces power and engine smoothness. Raw fuel entering the exhaust can overheat the catalytic converter, potentially causing a fire hazard under the vehicle.
Start by connecting an OBD2 scanner to read the code and any freeze frame data. Then follow the diagnostic steps specific to P1208 to identify the root cause.
OBDHut Mobile App
Scan codes directly from your car with the OBDHut app.
Coming Soon
Quick Info
Category
Powertrain
System
Fuel Injection System
Difficulty
Type
Manufacturer
Recommended Tools
OBD2 Scanner
A quality scan tool helps you read codes, view live data, and clear faults.
