P02EF code meaning
Cylinder 2 Injector Circuit Range/Performance
Powertrain system Generic code P02xx codes Check engine light
What P02EF means
P02EF reports an electrically implausible response of the cylinder 2 injector – not an open or short circuit (those are P0202, P0264 and P0265), but a current or voltage pattern outside the expected range. GM's 8-cylinder diesel checks the time the current takes to fall from hold to zero (outside 20–50 µs in 10 of 20 samples, two trips); GM's gasoline direct injection evaluates the voltage feedback of opening and closing; Ford's diesels flag the injector's voltage or charge regulator at its limit (90 s), Ford's gasoline direct injection its controlled-valve-operation adaptation at its limit. The injector may be shut off, causing misfire.
P02EF at a glance
- Check engine lightYes, usually on
- Emissions testCan fail
- Limp modePossible
- Repair difficultyHard
- Typical labor1 to 4 hours
- Clears after repairAfter a drive cycle
Symptoms of P02EF
- Check engine light on
- Rough running, misfire on cylinder 2
- Loss of power, smoke (diesel)
Common causes of P02EF
- Most likelyInjector electrically aged (piezo capacitance, coil resistance)
- PossibleContact resistance in the injector 2 connector or wiring
- PossibleInjector mechanically sticking (valve lift)
- Less likelyInjector driver stage in the engine module
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Fuel injector cylinder 2Injector wiringEngine control module
What each part of P02EF means
| P | Powertrain system: engine, fuel system, ignition, emissions and transmission. |
| 0 | Generic code: it means the same on every make (SAE standard). |
| 2 | Area: fuel and air metering (injector circuit). |
| EF | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note P02EF and any other codes stored with it: several codes together often point to one cause.
- Check for loose connectors and damaged wiring around the parts the code names.
- Check open recalls for your car: some faults are fixed for free by the dealer. Enter your VIN.
- Clear the code only after the repair. If it comes back, the fault is still there.
Buying a used car? Scan it for stored codes before you pay. A recently cleared memory can hide a problem.
Questions about P02EF
What does P02EF mean?
P02EF means "Cylinder 2 Injector Circuit Range/Performance". P02EF reports an electrically implausible response of the cylinder 2 injector – not an open or short circuit (those are P0202, P0264 and P0265), but a current or voltage pattern outside the expected range. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with P02EF?
Drive gently and only to a workshop. With P02EF the car can go into limp mode (reduced power) to protect itself.
Will P02EF fail an emissions test?
Yes, it can. P02EF is emissions-related, so most inspection programs fail a car while it is stored or while the check engine light is on.
How hard is P02EF to fix?
Difficulty: hard. A typical repair takes 1 to 4 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will P02EF clear itself after the repair?
After the repair the car has to complete a drive cycle (a mix of city and highway driving) before the test runs again. Until then the readiness monitor shows "not ready", which can fail an inspection.