P0289
Cylinder 10 Injector Circuit HighP0289 is a generic OBD-II powertrain diagnostic trouble code: Cylinder 10 Injector Circuit High. 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.
What P0289 means
P0289 is stored when the PCM/ECM detects a voltage or current level above the calibrated maximum on the fuel injector driver circuit for cylinder 10. A high-circuit condition is typically caused by the signal wire being pulled up toward battery voltage through a short to power, a shorted injector winding that lowers circuit impedance, or a failed PCM output driver that can no longer control the low side of the circuit to ground.
Because cylinder 10 only exists on V10 and V12 engines, this code appears on platforms such as the Ford 6.8 L Triton V10, Dodge Viper V10, BMW S85 V10, Lamborghini Gallardo/Huracán V10, Audi R8 V10, and large V12 applications. The longer harness runs inherent to these large-displacement engine bays create more opportunity for insulation damage that allows wiring to contact voltage sources or ground rails unintentionally.
A shorted injector coil — either an internal winding-to-winding short or an external short of the coil body to chassis — is one of the most common hardware failures producing P0289. Ethanol-blended fuel is documented to introduce water vapour that degrades injector components and can ultimately cause winding insulation failure. Like the low-circuit fault, P0289 disrupts cylinder 10 fuel delivery, causing a misfire, rough running, and potential catalytic converter damage if not addressed promptly.
Common causes
Most-frequently reported root causes when P0289 is logged.
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1
Shorted fuel injector coil winding on cylinder 10 creating a low-impedance path that raises circuit current above the PCM threshold.
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2
Wiring harness short to battery voltage between the PCM output driver and the cylinder 10 injector connector.
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3
Corroded or moisture-contaminated injector connector producing abnormal voltage on the control wire.
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4
Failed PCM/ECM low-side driver transistor for cylinder 10 unable to pull the circuit to ground.
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5
Chafed or pinched wiring insulation allowing the injector signal wire to contact a 12 V supply rail.
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6
Ethanol fuel-related injector winding degradation causing internal insulation breakdown and inter-winding short.
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7
Aftermarket wiring repair or improper splice introducing unwanted voltage into the cylinder 10 injector circuit.
Symptoms drivers notice
How to diagnose P0289
A typical diagnostic flow when this code is present.
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1
Retrieve all stored DTCs and freeze-frame data with an OBD-II scan tool before clearing codes.
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2
Visually inspect the cylinder 10 injector wiring harness for chafed insulation, pinched wires, or any contact with a voltage rail or hot exhaust component.
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3
Disconnect the cylinder 10 injector and measure coil resistance at the injector body; a reading significantly below manufacturer specification (or near zero) confirms an internally shorted coil.
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4
With the injector disconnected and ignition on, probe the harness-side driver wire for unexpected voltage; anything above 1 V with the driver commanded off indicates a short to power.
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5
Inspect harness routing for areas where the loom could contact B+ wiring, fuse-box outputs, or starter cables.
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6
Perform a cylinder balance or contribution test using a compatible scan tool to confirm whether cylinder 10 is delivering measurable power output.
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7
If all external components test within spec, suspect the PCM internal driver for cylinder 10 and review manufacturer TSBs before authorising module replacement or reflash.
Related powertrain codes
- P0065 — Air Assisted Injector Control Range/Performance
- P0066 — Air Assisted Injector Control Circuit or Circuit Low
- P0067 — Air Assisted Injector Control Circuit High
- P0087 — Fuel Rail/System Pressure - Too Low
- P0088 — Fuel Rail/System Pressure - Too High
- P0089 — Fuel Pressure Regulator 1 Performance
Frequently asked questions
Which vehicles can set P0289?
Only engines with ten or more cylinders. Typical platforms include the Ford 6.8 L Triton V10, Dodge Viper V10, BMW S85 V10 (E60 M5/E63 M6), Lamborghini Gallardo/Huracán V10, Audi R8 V10, and V12 applications.
What is the difference between P0289 and P0288?
P0288 (Circuit Low) means the injector driver signal is below the PCM's minimum threshold, typically from an open circuit or high resistance. P0289 (Circuit High) means the signal is above the maximum threshold, typically from a short to voltage or a shorted injector winding.
Can ethanol fuel contribute to P0289?
Yes. E10 and other ethanol blends introduce water vapour that can degrade injector coil insulation over time. As the internal winding insulation breaks down, a short can form that raises circuit current beyond the PCM's high-circuit threshold and triggers P0289.
Should I replace the PCM if P0289 is stored?
The PCM is rarely the first item to replace. The most common causes — a shorted injector coil or a harness short to power — are external to the module and less costly to repair. Fully test the injector resistance and wiring before considering PCM replacement.
Disabling P0289 in software
RaceTune can permanently disable P0289 — 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.
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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