Powertrain, generic · Fuel and air metering

P01DC Cylinder 9 Injection Timing Performance - Over Advanced

Check engine lightOn
EmissionsRelevant
Drive cycleRequired
Limp modeNo

Diesel engines must detect when fuel can no longer be injected at the correct crank angle – CARB requires this for every injector individually, hence one code per cylinder. The start of injection is not measured directly: during overrun with fuel cut-off the control module fires a tiny test injection into one cylinder (GM: about 1.5 mm³) and evaluates the resulting speed change at the crankshaft sensor. From this it learns how much extra energizing time the injector needs (Bosch calls this zero fuel calibration). This code means injector 9 needs clearly less energizing time than intended, i.e. it opens too early or delivers too much – GM sets it below −90 µs, after two trips. No manufacturer document using the codes for cylinders 9–12 was found; the description follows CARB's requirement and the documented measuring principle (Bosch patent, GM tables for cylinders 1–8). Such codes can only appear on engines with at least that many cylinders.

Likely causes

Injector worn or leaking (delivers too much in small quantities)
False setting from software or vehicle vibration (e.g. off-road tyres)
Wrong injector correction code stored after an injector replacement
Boost leak or loose injector clamp
Contaminated fuel

Symptoms

  • Check engine light on (after two drive cycles)
  • Louder combustion noise or knocking
  • Rough idle
  • Possibly smoke

Repair estimate

DifficultyHardWorkshop job
Parts and labour€100–900
Time0.5–4 h

Typical range across vehicles; the real cost depends on what the testing finds.

Parts involved

fuel injector cylinder 9crankshaft position sensorengine control module

Related codes

P01DBP0309P2B11P01DAP01DE

References: law.cornell.edu, patents.google.com, gsi.ext.gm.com.