Injector Circuit / Open - Cylinder 8
The P0208 code means the vehicle's onboard diagnostic system has detected: Injector Circuit / Open - Cylinder 8. This is a critical severity code.
- Keep driving?
- No — stop driving
- DIY difficulty
- moderate
- Estimated cost
- $100 - $400 (fuel injector $50-$200; wiring repair $50-$100; labor $50-$200)
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Common Symptoms
- Check Engine Light on or flashing
- Cylinder 8 misfire causing rough engine operation
- Loss of power, especially under load
- Engine vibration and shaking
- Fuel smell from unburned fuel in exhaust
Probable Causes (Ranked by Likelihood)
- Failed fuel injector on cylinder 8 Very High
- Open or broken wire in the injector circuit High
- Corroded or disconnected injector connector Moderate
- PCM injector driver circuit failure Low
- High resistance in injector winding Low
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with code P0208?
No. A dead cylinder 8 injector causes catalytic converter damage from unburned fuel. If the Check Engine Light is flashing, stop driving immediately and have the vehicle towed.
Is P0208 only for V8 engines?
Yes. Cylinder 8 is only present on V8 and larger engines. This code will not appear on 4-cylinder or V6 vehicles.
Should I replace all 8 injectors if one fails?
Not necessarily. If the engine has low mileage and only one injector has failed, replacing just that one is reasonable. On high-mileage engines (150,000+ miles), replacing all injectors as a set ensures even fuel delivery and prevents repeat failures.
Mechanics Guide Step-by-step diagnosis
Step-by-Step Diagnostic Procedure
-
Confirm cylinder 8 misfire using a scan tool. Check for companion code P0308.
-
Measure cylinder 8 fuel injector resistance (11-17 ohms typical). Open circuit confirms a failed injector.
-
Test for injector pulse at the connector using a noid light during cranking.
-
Swap the cylinder 8 injector with an adjacent cylinder to confirm the injector is the faulty component.
-
Inspect the harness and connector for damage, corrosion, or disconnection.
Sources 2
This page is built from documented references. Verify against your own service info before repair work.
- SAE J2012Diagnostic Trouble Code Definitions (defines the generic OBD-II code ranges)
- Cross-checked against the SAE J2012:2002 DTC table (2026-08-27)archived scan of the SAE standard — readable copy, not SAE’s current edition
P0208 on Diesel, EV & Equipment
The same code ID appears across other engines and platforms. The diagnostic flow varies by manufacturer — these are the platform-specific breakdowns:
Commonly Affected Vehicles
- 2005-2015 Ford F-150 (5.4L V8)
- 2007-2016 Chevrolet Silverado (5.3L, 6.2L V8)
- 2008-2017 Dodge Ram (5.7L HEMI V8)
- 2009-2018 Toyota Tundra (5.7L V8)
- 2010-2018 Ford F-250 (6.2L V8)
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