P0272

Cylinder 4 Contribution/Balance

Fuel injection / cylinder balance Generic OBD-II High

What it means

P0272 means cylinder 4 isn't contributing its fair share of power compared with the other cylinders. The ECM watches how evenly each cylinder pulls and flags cylinder 4 as weak. A worn or clogged injector is the usual cause, though low compression or a wiring fault can be behind it too. The engine runs rough and down on power, but a single weak cylinder won't stop it from starting.

High

Can I keep driving? Usually drivable but rough — cylinder 4 isn't pulling its weight, so expect a rough idle and lost power. Fix it before it fouls or damages the converter.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

1,082

scans in the past year

Found in

0.2%

of scans

0.3%

of scans that found faults

Appears alongside · share of P0272 scans

P0269in 73.6% of scans

P0266in 71.9% of scans

P0263in 70.6% 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
Rough idle or noticeable vibration
Reduced power and hesitation
Occasional misfire feel from cylinder 4

Common causes

Most likely first

Weak, clogged, or failing injector on cylinder 4Likely
Low compression on cylinder 4 (valve or ring wear)Common
Wiring or connector fault at the cylinder 4 injectorCommon
Fuel delivery or intake issue affecting cylinder 4Less often
Failed engine control module (ECM) (rare)Less often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Read freeze-frame data and compare cylinder contribution/balance readings with a scan tool.
Test the cylinder 4 injector electrically and swap it with a neighboring cylinder to see if the imbalance follows.
Inspect the injector connector and wiring for damage or corrosion.
Run a compression or leak-down test on cylinder 4 if the injector checks out.
Address fuel-delivery or intake faults; clear and re-test.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0272?+

Short-term, yes, but a weak cylinder makes the engine run rough and can wash fuel into the exhaust, risking converter damage. Repair it soon.

Can I just clear P0272?+

It returns once the ECM re-measures cylinder 4 falling short. The injector or mechanical cause has to be fixed.

Read & clear P0272 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