P271E

Cylinder 14 Injector Circuit Open

P271E is a generic OBD-II powertrain diagnostic trouble code: Cylinder 14 Injector Circuit Open. It is logged by the engine control unit when the powertrain monitor detects that a specific fault threshold has been exceeded — typically resulting in the malfunction-indicator lamp (MIL / check-engine light) being illuminated.

Code
P271E
Group
Powertrain
System
Powertrain
Severity
Warning (MIL on, possible limp mode)
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What P271E means

P271E indicates that the PCM has detected an open circuit condition in the fuel injector control circuit for cylinder 14. This code follows the SAE J2012 numbering convention where cylinder 14 would appear in large-displacement engines such as certain heavy-duty diesel engines with more than eight cylinders, or in some dual-bank configurations where cylinders are numbered sequentially across both banks.

An open injector circuit means the control module cannot complete the injector drive path, resulting in no fuel delivery to that cylinder. The affected cylinder will misfire, and the engine may exhibit significant rough running or power loss depending on total cylinder count. The module typically detects this by monitoring current feedback through the injector driver circuit.

Common causes include a broken injector solenoid winding, damaged wiring between the module and injector, or a faulty injector driver within the PCM. Diagnosis must be performed methodically, starting with circuit continuity checks before condemning the injector or module, as wiring damage in the harness is frequently the root cause.

Common causes

Most-frequently reported root causes when P271E is logged.

  • 1
    Broken or open injector solenoid winding in cylinder 14 injector.
  • 2
    Broken or severed wire in the injector control harness for cylinder 14.
  • 3
    Corroded, pulled-back, or damaged connector terminal at the cylinder 14 injector.
  • 4
    Damaged wiring at a chafe point near exhaust components or brackets.
  • 5
    Failed injector driver circuit inside the PCM or injector driver module.
  • 6
    Incorrectly routed or pinched harness after previous engine service.

Symptoms drivers notice

MIL illuminated, often with a misfire code for the affected cylinder.
Noticeable engine roughness, vibration, or miss on the affected bank.
Power loss proportional to the number of cylinders affected.
Increased exhaust smoke or unburned fuel odor if multiple cylinders are affected.
Possible limp mode activation on sensitive calibrations.

How to diagnose P271E

A typical diagnostic flow when this code is present.

  1. 1
    Read all DTCs and document freeze frame; note any companion misfire codes.
  2. 2
    Inspect the cylinder 14 injector connector and wiring harness for visible damage, corrosion, or chafing.
  3. 3
    With the circuit de-energized, measure resistance of the injector solenoid between the two injector terminals; an open reading confirms internal injector failure.
  4. 4
    Measure continuity from the PCM injector driver pin to the injector connector with the harness disconnected to check for open wiring.
  5. 5
    Inspect connector terminals for push-back or corrosion and repair as needed.
  6. 6
    If wiring and injector resistance are within spec, perform a PCM injector driver output test using a lab scope or noid light.
  7. 7
    Replace the faulty component (injector, wiring, or PCM driver) confirmed by the above tests.

Vehicles where we've handled P271E

Platforms in our catalogue with confirmed P271E coverage.

BMW 320D
2016

Related powertrain codes

Frequently asked questions

What engine types have a cylinder 14?

Cylinder 14 typically appears in large heavy-duty diesel engines with 12 or more cylinders (e.g., inline-6 dual-unit configurations, V12, or V16 platforms) or in some specific OEM numbering schemes for dual-bank engines.

Will the engine still run with an open injector circuit?

Yes, but it will run rough and with reduced power. On high-cylinder-count engines the impact per cylinder is smaller, but continued misfiring can damage the catalytic converter over time.

Can a bad PCM cause P271E?

Yes, a failed injector driver output in the PCM can cause an open circuit reading. However, this should only be suspected after the injector and all wiring have been verified good.

Is it safe to drive with P271E?

Short distances at reduced load may be acceptable, but prolonged driving with an open injector circuit risks catalyst damage and increased emissions. Repair promptly.

Disabling P271E in software

RaceTune can permanently disable P271E — 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.

ECUs with a P271E disable in our catalogue

Confirmed coverage from our recipe database — we support many more families. Upload your file and our identifier will match it automatically.

  • Bosch EDC17C50 verified 1 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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