P0206 on Chevrolet: How to Diagnose & Fix
Injector Circuit/Open - Cylinder 6
1 Chevrolet model · 1 documented issue · $100-$800 repair
P0206 on Chevrolet by model: symptoms, diagnosis and fix
The fuel injector wiring harness on the Duramax diesel routes across the top of the engine under the valve covers. The harness rubs against the valve cover and rocker arms, causing the insulation to wear through and the wires to short or open. When an injector wire is damaged, the affected cylinder misfires, the engine runs rough, and white smoke pours from the exhaust. The chafing is accelerated by engine vibration and can affect multiple cylinders over time. GM released updated harness routing clips but the fundamental design has the harness in a high-wear location.
Common Symptoms
- Engine misfires on one or more cylinders
- White smoke from exhaust
- Rough idle that develops gradually
- Check engine light with injector circuit codes
- Engine runs on fewer than 8 cylinders
- Intermittent misfires that come and go
How to Fix
Remove the valve covers and inspect the injector harness for chafing (requires 2-3 hours labor). Damaged sections can be repaired with heat-shrink tubing and solder ($100-$300 for repair). If the harness is severely damaged in multiple places, a complete replacement harness costs $200-$500 and takes 3-5 hours to install. Add additional harness routing clips and protective loom to prevent recurrence. Some diesel specialists reroute the harness outside the valve cover (external harness conversion) to eliminate the chafing issue permanently.
Sources for this issue (1)
P0206 code reference
General diagnostic-code context. The code alone does not confirm a cause for your vehicle; use the applicable issue card and its sources.
Frequently asked questions
What does P0206 mean on a Chevrolet?
P0206 stands for "Injector Circuit/Open - Cylinder 6." This code means the engine computer detected an electrical problem in the fuel injector circuit for cylinder 6 — specifically an open circuit or one that's out of its expected resistance range. Each injector is an electrically controlled valve that sprays fuel into the cylinder, and the computer monitors that circuit to make sure the injector is responding to its commands. When it sees a break, short, or weak signal on cylinder 6's injector wiring, it sets this code, which usually shows up alongside a rough-running engine or a misfire on that cylinder. It points to a wiring/connector fault or a bad injector rather than a fuel-quality problem. On Chevrolet it is documented across 1 model: Silverado 2500HD.
What are the most common causes of P0206?
The most common causes of P0206 are: Corroded, loose, or damaged injector connector at cylinder 6, Open, shorted, or chafed wiring in the injector circuit, Failed fuel injector (open internal winding), Poor ground or power feed to the injector driver, Failed injector driver circuit inside the ECM/PCM, Water intrusion or pin corrosion in the engine harness. The specific cause varies by vehicle.
How much does it cost to fix P0206 on a Chevrolet?
Published repair estimates on Chevrolet range from $100 to $800 depending on the model and root cause. If an issue mentions a recall or campaign, check your VIN with the manufacturer or NHTSA and confirm eligibility and coverage with a dealer.
Looking for P0206 on a different make?
View P0206 across all makes →Content compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, and owner reports. May contain errors. Always verify with your vehicle's service manual.