P0288

Cylinder 10 Injector Circuit Low

P0288 is a generic OBD-II powertrain diagnostic trouble code: Cylinder 10 Injector Circuit Low. It is logged by the engine control unit when the fuel/inj monitor detects that a specific fault threshold has been exceeded — typically resulting in the malfunction-indicator lamp (MIL / check-engine light) being illuminated.

Code
P0288
Group
Powertrain
System
Fuel/Inj
Severity
Warning (MIL on, possible limp mode)
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What P0288 means

P0288 is set when the PCM/ECM detects a voltage or current level below the calibrated minimum on the fuel injector driver circuit for cylinder 10. The powertrain control module monitors each injector's electrical loop in real time; when the signal for cylinder 10 drops below specification — indicating an open circuit, excessive resistance, or insufficient driver output — the code is stored and the MIL is activated.

A tenth cylinder only exists on V10 and V12 platforms: the Ford 6.8 L Triton V10 (F-Series Super Duty, Excursion), Dodge Viper V10, BMW S85 V10 (M5/M6), Lamborghini Gallardo/Huracán V10, Audi R8 V10, and larger V12 engines. Cylinder 10 sits at the rear of the second bank on most V10 layouts, making its wiring harness one of the longest runs from the ECM, which increases the probability of connector corrosion and resistance-induced voltage drop.

The most frequent causes are a corroded or loose connector at the injector body, damaged wiring insulation creating an open or high-resistance path, a failed injector coil, or a faulty PCM driver transistor for cylinder 10. Because the cylinder is not receiving adequate fuel actuation, it will misfire, producing rough running, power loss, and increased raw-fuel emissions. Prompt repair is recommended to avoid catalyst damage and long-term engine wear.

Common causes

Most-frequently reported root causes when P0288 is logged.

  • 1
    Open or high-resistance wiring between the PCM and the cylinder 10 injector connector.
  • 2
    Corroded, backed-out, or broken terminal pins at the cylinder 10 injector electrical connector.
  • 3
    Failed internal PCM/ECM injector driver transistor (MOSFET) for cylinder 10.
  • 4
    Faulty fuel injector with out-of-specification internal coil resistance on cylinder 10.
  • 5
    Damaged or chafed wiring harness creating an intermittent or sustained circuit break.
  • 6
    Poor chassis or engine block ground connection that raises effective ground potential on the injector circuit.
  • 7
    Complete mechanical injector seizure causing unusual coil loading that the ECM interprets as a low-circuit fault.

Symptoms drivers notice

MIL (Check Engine Light) illuminated, typically steady.
Rough idle and engine vibration caused by cylinder 10 misfiring due to insufficient fuel delivery.
Noticeable power reduction and hesitation during acceleration or heavy throttle application.
Increased fuel consumption as the ECM adjusts fuel trims to compensate for the imbalanced cylinder.
Possible black exhaust smoke or fuel odour if the misfire causes unburned fuel to reach the catalytic converter.
Companion misfire code P030A (Cylinder 10 Misfire Detected) may be stored simultaneously.

How to diagnose P0288

A typical diagnostic flow when this code is present.

  1. 1
    Connect an OBD-II scan tool, record all stored and pending codes, and capture freeze-frame data before clearing.
  2. 2
    Inspect the cylinder 10 injector wiring harness visually for chafed insulation, damaged connectors, heat damage, or corrosion.
  3. 3
    With the ignition on and engine off, measure the supply voltage at the injector connector power terminal; expect approximately 12 V.
  4. 4
    Back-probe the PCM driver pin for cylinder 10 and observe the commanded pulse signal with a multimeter or oscilloscope during cranking or at idle.
  5. 5
    Measure cylinder 10 injector coil resistance at the injector body and compare against the manufacturer specification (typically 12–16 Ω for port injection, 1–3 Ω for GDI).
  6. 6
    Check all relevant chassis and engine block ground straps; resistance above 0.1 Ω must be corrected before further diagnosis.
  7. 7
    If the harness, connector, injector coil, and grounds all pass, suspect the PCM driver circuit and consult applicable TSBs before authorising module replacement or reflash.

Related powertrain codes

Frequently asked questions

Which vehicles can produce P0288?

Only engines with ten or more cylinders. Common examples include the Ford 6.8 L Triton V10, Dodge Viper V10, BMW S85 V10 (M5/M6), Lamborghini Gallardo/Huracán V10, Audi R8 V10, and various V12 engines.

Can I drive with P0288 active?

Short distances may be possible if the vehicle runs acceptably, but a misfiring cylinder 10 risks overheating the catalytic converter and causing internal engine damage over time. Diagnose and repair as soon as possible.

How is P0288 different from P0289?

P0288 (Circuit Low) means the PCM measured voltage or current below its minimum limit on the cylinder 10 injector circuit, typically from an open circuit or high resistance. P0289 (Circuit High) means the measurement exceeded the maximum limit, typically from a short to voltage or a shorted injector coil.

Is the injector always the faulty part when P0288 is set?

Not necessarily. The code reflects an electrical condition in the circuit, which includes the wiring harness, connectors, ground straps, and the PCM driver, as well as the injector itself. Full circuit testing should be completed before replacing the injector.

Disabling P0288 in software

RaceTune can permanently disable P0288 — and any other OBD-II diagnostic trouble code — on every ECU family we support. The monitor is disabled inside the ECU itself, so the fault stops being logged: the warning light stays off and the engine never enters limp mode for this code. The change is tied to your exact software version.

Permanent
The monitor is disabled in the ECU itself — not just cleared. It cannot return.
Tailored to your file
Each patch is matched to your specific software version — never a one-size-fits-all file.
Reversible
The original file is always preserved. Reflash the stock to return the ECU to factory state.

Software modifications affect emissions compliance and are not road-legal in many jurisdictions. RaceTune service files are intended for motorsport, off-road, and export use.

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