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

P0290 Cylinder 10 Contribution/Balance

Check engine lightOn
EmissionsRelevant
Drive cycleRequired
Limp modeNo

P0290 comes from the cylinder balance control of common-rail diesels: the engine module measures the crankshaft acceleration of each cylinder's power stroke, compares it with the average and gives a deviating cylinder more or less fuel. The code sets when the correction for cylinder 10 reaches its limit and the cylinder still does not keep up – GM at 95 % of a limit of about ±12–17 mm³ for 30 s, Ford above 90 % of the allowed 3.5–15 mg per stroke for 7.5 s; GM needs two trips. The code does not say whether there is too much or too little fuel – the correction value for cylinder 10 shows the direction: strongly negative means a leaking injector, strongly positive a weak injector or low compression. Cylinder 10 only exists on diesels with ten cylinders; GM and Ford documents stop at cylinder 8, so the description follows CARB and the siblings.

Likely causes

Injector of cylinder 10 worn, coked or leaking
Engine software outdated or diagnosis too sensitive
Injector correction codes not or wrongly programmed after replacement
Low compression on cylinder 10 (valve, rings, injector seal)
Crankshaft sensor or tone wheel learning faulty, dual-mass flywheel

Symptoms

  • Check engine light on
  • Rough idle, shaking or knocking
  • Loss of power or smoke
  • Higher consumption, poor cold start

Repair estimate

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

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

Parts involved

fuel injector cylinder 10crankshaft position sensorengine control module

Related codes

P0310P0210P02DEP021DP0293

References: law.cornell.edu, patents.google.com.