2002 Dodge Sebring 2.7L Engine P0205 Code: Heat-Related Injector Circuit Fault in Cylinder 5

This issue is localized to cylinder #5 and appears intermittent. Possible causes: - ASD relay output circuit - Fuel injector circuit open or shorted to ground - Fuel injector driver circuit failure - PCM (Powertrain Control Module) signal issues Recommended troubleshooting steps: 1. Use a test light or digital multimeter (DVOM) to check the #5 injector's gray wire for continuity and short-to-ground. 2. Gently shake the harness while the engine is running to detect loose connections. 3. Inspect for damaged, chafed, or rubbed wires. 4. Unplug the injector and perform an ohm test—apply finger pressure on the coil; if resistance changes significantly, it may indicate a failing component. Note: In some cases, the injector itself can fail under heat stress.

Thanks for the reply. On my 2002 Sebring, the fuel injectors are located behind the intake manifold (plenum) and are not accessible without removing the plenum. Removing the intake plenum to access the injector wiring will cause the engine to stall due to loss of intake airflow—no idle or operation possible. As a result, I can only test the injector circuit by probing the wires at the PCM connector. I'm looking for the color code of the #5 injector wires at the PCM—specifically the power and ground connections. Could you confirm what colors are used for cylinder #5 in this model? Any help would be very useful.

Yes, access is often difficult—but here's what I know: The injectors have two wires: - A common 12V power supply (all injectors share the same color wire) - A ground wire that connects directly to the PCM—this one is typically gray for cylinder #5 in my 2002 Sebring. The PCM monitors this circuit and supplies the ground. The issue appears to be an interruption in voltage on the #5 injector circuit. Possible root causes: - Open circuit in the 12V supply line to cylinder #5 (though others seem fine) - Internal failure of the #5 injector coil—especially under heat stress - A broken or degraded ground wire between the injector and PCM My experience suggests starting with the injector itself is most effective. I recommend testing the injector using an ohm meter and performing a 'thump test' (gently tapping the body to see if resistance changes). If you find any anomalies, that would strongly point to a failing coil. This could be especially relevant given heat sensitivity. Note: A ground fault between the injector and PCM is less likely but not impossible. I recommend working from the injector end—your call on what to test next.

Thanks for the detailed guidance. Given that injectors are hidden behind the intake plenum and access to wiring at the PCM is extremely limited, I decided to remove the intake manifold and replace the #5 fuel injector. The old injector showed a resistance of about 12–13 ohms—within normal range. After replacement with a new one, the engine still exhibited misfiring (P0305) initially. I shut off the engine, cleared all codes, and restarted—it ran smoothly for several days. Since then, it has run reliably under all conditions—including cold starts and warm-up cycles. This strongly suggests that the original injector coil was heat-sensitive and failed only when hot—consistent with known electronic component behavior in high-temperature environments. As to why a misfire persisted after replacement: I suspect the PCM may have needed a reset or re-calibration. If I ever get time, I’ll test a faulty injector by heating it in an oven and measuring coil resistance under heat stress to confirm this theory. Thanks again for your troubleshooting support—it was extremely helpful and informative.