Powertrain, generic · Fuel and air metering (injector circuit)

P020E Cylinder 5 Injection Timing

Check engine lightOn
EmissionsRelevant
Drive cycleNot required
Limp modeNo

P020E reports a fault in the injection timing of cylinder 5 on a diesel engine. Unlike P01D3/P01D4 ('over retarded/advanced', the result of the injector learning routine in overrun), this code has no direction, and what it checks is up to the manufacturer. GM uses it as an electrical check on the 6.6 litre L5P Duramax V8: at every injection the engine module measures how long the injector current takes to reach its pull-in level of 13 A. If on the V8 that time is outside 60–150 µs in 10 of 20 samples, the code sets and the warning light comes on in the first trip. FCA lists it for the 3.0 litre EcoDiesel V6 together with the learning codes: check injector coding, charge air leaks and the injector clamp, reset the zero fuel calibration and repeat the learning drive; if the code returns, the injector is replaced.

Likely causes

Injector of cylinder 5 faulty (coil, armature, wear, deposits)
Injector wiring or connector: contact resistance, corrosion, chafing
Engine software sets the code falsely (update available for some models)
Injector driver stage or boost voltage in the engine module
Wrong injector code, contaminated fuel or loose injector clamp

Symptoms

  • Check engine light on
  • Rough running or misfire, rough idle
  • Loss of power, smoke or knocking possible

Repair estimate

DifficultyHardWorkshop job
Parts and labour€100–1,200
Time0.5–4 h

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

Parts involved

fuel injector cylinder 5injector wiringengine control module

Related codes

P01D3P01D4P0205P02D4P0305

References: law.cornell.edu, gsi.ext.gm.com, static.nhtsa.gov, static.nhtsa.gov.