P0205

Cylinder 5 Injector A Circuit

Q: Is it safe to drive with P0205?

Only briefly. If cylinder 5 isn't firing properly, raw fuel and a persistent misfire can overheat and damage the catalytic converter. Keep driving to a minimum until it's repaired.

Q: Can I just clear P0205?

It returns quickly while the injector circuit is faulty, and the misfire comes back with it. Repair the injector or its wiring first.

Injector circuit Generic OBD-II High

What it means

P0205 means the ECM has detected an electrical fault in the fuel injector circuit for cylinder 5 — typically an open or short in the injector coil, wiring, or connector. When cylinder 5's injector doesn't fire correctly, that cylinder misfires: the engine runs rough, loses power, and wastes fuel. Because a sustained misfire can damage the catalytic converter, it's best to diagnose and repair it promptly.

High

Can I keep driving? Drivable but not recommended — cylinder 5 may misfire and run rough; sustained misfire can damage the catalytic converter, so fix it soon.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

279

scans in the past year

Found in

<0.1%

of scans

0.1%

of scans that found faults

Appears alongside · share of P0205 scans

P0206in 44.4% of scans

P0401in 42.3% of scans

P0402in 37.3% of scans

Figures reflect only diagnostic scans recorded through our own apps and tools. Cars are typically scanned because a symptom or warning light prompted it, so these counts describe our scan records — not the incidence of faults in any model, and not the quality, reliability, or safety of any vehicle. No comparison between manufacturers or models is implied. All trademarks belong to their respective owners; no affiliation or endorsement is implied.

Common symptoms

What you'll notice

Check-engine light on
Misfire on cylinder 5
Rough idle and shaking
Reduced power and hesitation
Possible fuel smell or increased fuel consumption

Common causes

Most likely first

Faulty fuel injector on cylinder 5 (open or shorted coil)Likely
Open or shorted wiring in the cylinder 5 injector circuitCommon
Corroded or loose injector connectorCommon
Failed ECM/PCM injector driver (rare)Less often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Confirm the fault is cylinder 5 and check for related misfire codes (P0305).
Measure the cylinder 5 injector's coil resistance and compare to the other injectors.
Inspect the injector connector and wiring for damage, corrosion, or opens/shorts.
Verify the ECM is pulsing the injector (noid light or scope) and check power/ground.
Replace the injector or repair the wiring as needed. Clear and re-test.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0205?+

Only briefly. If cylinder 5 isn't firing properly, raw fuel and a persistent misfire can overheat and damage the catalytic converter. Keep driving to a minimum until it's repaired.

Can I just clear P0205?+

It returns quickly while the injector circuit is faulty, and the misfire comes back with it. Repair the injector or its wiring first.

Read & clear P0205 yourself

Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.

▶ Get it on Google Play

✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX