P0288
Cylinder 10 Injector Circuit Low
When a vehicle powertrain module registers the fault code P0288, it points directly to an internal system malfunction identified as "Cylinder 10 Injector Circuit Low". Operating your engine under this condition may degrade long-term fuel maps.
Driver's Summary
The diagnostic trouble code P0288 indicates an active fault in the cylinder 10 injector circuit low circuit or component. On the road, this usually shows up as misfire code, rich or lean exhaust smell, loss of power. This is not a code to ignore — the underlying fault can rapidly worsen and lead to costly repairs if driving continues.
Symptoms
Misfire code, rich or lean exhaust smell, loss of power
Common Causes
- Short to ground in Cyl 10 injector wiring
- Failed fuel injector
- Failed PCM driver
- Corrosion in wiring harness
How to Fix
- 1 Repair grounded wiring
- 2 Replace Cyl 10 injector
- 3 Test PCM
- 4 Replace affected wiring section
Technical Explanation
The PCM triggers P0288 after its internal monitoring routine detects that a specific circuit or sensor has exceeded its acceptable operating range. The PCM monitors crankshaft rotational velocity via the CKP sensor at a resolution of individual tooth gaps on the reluctor ring. A combustion event in each cylinder produces a measurable acceleration spike; its absence or weakness is flagged as a misfire event within a 200-revolution or 1000-revolution test window. Once confirmed, the code is stored as a permanent DTC and the MIL is activated. The freeze frame snapshot — recording RPM, load, coolant temperature, and fuel trim at fault detection — is also saved and is critical for accurate diagnosis.
Is It Safe to Drive?
This fault carries real mechanical risk. The root causes — including short to ground in cyl 10 injector wiring — can trigger a chain reaction of component failures if the vehicle continues to be driven. Have it towed or drive directly to a shop without delay.
Mechanic's Pro Tip
Module replacement should always be the last resort for P0288 after exhaustively verifying all power supply circuits, ground connections, and communication bus wiring. Use a wiring diagram to locate all fuses, relays, and ground points for the affected module, and measure voltage drop on each ground with the circuit loaded. A module "failure" is frequently a corroded ground eyelet or a weak battery causing brownout conditions — fix these first and you'll save hundreds of dollars on an unnecessary module replacement.
Related Fault Codes
Frequently Asked Questions
What does OBD2 code P0288 mean?
OBD2 code P0288 refers to Cylinder 10 Injector Circuit Low. When a vehicle powertrain module registers the fault code P0288, it points directly to an internal system malfunction identified as "Cylinder 10 Injector Circuit Low". Operating your engine under this condition may degrade long-term fuel maps.
What are the most common symptoms of DTC P0288?
Drivers experiencing code P0288 typically report: Misfire code, rich or lean exhaust smell, loss of power.
Is it safe to drive with trouble code P0288 active?
This fault carries real mechanical risk. The root causes — including short to ground in cyl 10 injector wiring — can trigger a chain reaction of component failures if the vehicle continues to be driven. Have it towed or drive directly to a shop without delay.
How much does it cost to fix code P0288?
The estimated repair cost for P0288 ranges from $150 to $500 USD. Injector replacement: 200 - 500
Injector replacement: 200 - 500
Need Professional Diagnostic Assistance?
Always verify sensor signals and wiring integrity with an OBD2 scanner before purchasing replacement parts.
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