P0261
High SeverityCylinder 1 Injector Circuit Low
Fuel System
P0261 — Instant Answer
Cylinder 1 Injector Circuit Low
Severity: HIGH SEVERITY
Meaning: Low voltage in cylinder 1 injector driver circuit.
Safe to drive? NO if CEL is flashing. YES with caution if solid, but repair this week.
Estimated repair cost: $40 - $150
Most common causes:
- 1. Short in injector wiring (35-45% of cases)
- 2. Failed injector coil (10-25% of cases)
- 3. ECM driver issue (5-10% of cases)
Common Causes
How to Diagnose P0261
- 1Check injector connector
- 2Measure injector resistance
- 3Check wiring for shorts to ground
- 4Replace injector if coil shorted
OEM Procedures for P0261
Engine Controls And Fuel - 2.7L - Diagnostic Information And Procedures (2 Of 4) Found 103 OEM service manual procedures.
Engine Code Information Label - Fuel Injector Replacement Label
Engine Code Information Label - Fuel Injector Replacement Label
Engine Code Information Label - Fuel Injector Replacement Label
Engine Code Information Label - Fuel Injector Replacement Label
Engine Code Information Label - Fuel Injector Replacement Label
Engine Code Information Label - Fuel Injector Replacement Label
Engine Code Information Label - Fuel Injector Replacement Label
Engine Code Information Label - Fuel Injector Replacement Label
Showing 8 of 103 procedures
OEM Diagnostic Flowchart
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Read live data and freeze frame for P0261 to pinpoint the cause before buying parts.
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Parts & Tools for This Job
Common parts shoppers buy for P0261 Cylinder 1 Injector Circuit Low.
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OBD2 scanner
Read codes and freeze-frame data before you guess at the fault.
Most diagnostic jobs start with a scan tool and a verified code path.
Check SpecificationsBattery tester
Check cranking and charging health before replacing expensive parts.
A weak battery can mimic alternator or starter problems.
Check SpecificationsMultimeter kit
Confirm voltage, continuity, and sensor power with one simple kit.
A meter is the cheapest way to rule out a bad circuit fast.
Check SpecificationsRelated Resources
Repair guides, symptom pages, and wiring diagrams related to P0261.
OEM Manual Evidence
Browse →Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) Index — 2013 Audi A3 Premium, 2.0L Eng VIN E, Automatic DCT Trans Service Manual ~ LEMON Manuals LEMON Manua...
Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) Index — 2013 Audi A3 Premium, 2.0L Eng VIN E, Automatic DCT Trans Service Manual ~ LEMON Manuals LEMON Manua...
Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) Index — 2013 Audi A3 Premium, 2.0L Eng VIN E, Standard Trans Service Manual ~ LEMON Manuals LEMON Manuals: R...
Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) Index — 2013 Audi A3 Premium, 2.0L Eng VIN E, Standard Trans Service Manual ~ LEMON Manuals LEMON Manuals: R...
Related Symptoms
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Open the exact vehicle hub grounded by OEM manual evidence related to P0261.
Related Codes
The fuel injector on cylinder 1 has a circuit fault. It may not be firing.
High voltage in cylinder 1 injector circuit. Usually open circuit.
Cylinder 1 is misfiring — not firing properly. Could be spark plug, coil, injector, or compression issue on that specific cylinder.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is injector circuit low?
- It means the ECM sees low voltage/resistance in the injector circuit, often from a shorted injector coil.
- Can I test injector resistance?
- Yes — unplug the injector and measure with a multimeter. Compare to specs (typically 11-18 ohms).
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Author & Review
Published by AllOEMManuals, founded by Lyndon Bedford, an automotive technician with 20 years of experience. He owned and operated a mechanic shop in Hurst, Texas from 2014 to 2022 and continues hands-on repair work.
Content may combine manual references, general repair templates, and AI-assisted drafting. Confirm the source, vehicle configuration, and applicability before working. Report corrections through our contact page.
Last updated: 2026-10-29