P0261 on Ford
Cylinder 1 Injector Circuit Low
P0261 on Ford vehicles indicates cylinder 1 injector circuit low. Au7o has documented this code across 1 Ford model — most commonly on F-350. The PCM detected low voltage (short to ground or open on the power side) in the cylinder 1 fuel injector control circuit. The injector cannot be properly energized, leading to a misfire on that cylinder. Typical repair costs on Ford range from $350 to $1,100, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Common Causes of P0261
- •Short to ground in cylinder 1 injector wiring
- •Open on the injector power feed
- •Faulty cylinder 1 injector
- •Loose or corroded connector
- •PCM injector driver fault
P0261 on Ford by Model
Ford F-350(1 issue)
- 6.0L FICM (Fuel Injection Control Module) Voltage Decay Causing Hard Start and Misfire2003-2007
The 6.0L Power Stroke's Fuel Injection Control Module sits on top of the driver-side valve cover and must deliver a 48-volt pulse to fire each HEUI injector. The module is heat-soaked in that location and its internal power supply degrades over time; it is also killed outright by weak batteries or a failing charging system, because the boost circuit is damaged when supply voltage sags below about 12.6 volts during cranking. As FICM main power output drops below roughly 46 volts, the injector solenoids begin to open late, producing hard starting, rough cold running and white smoke. A dying FICM can subsequently damage injectors. F-350s with two batteries that are not replaced as a matched pair are the classic case.
Looking for P0261 on a different make?
View P0261 across all makes →Frequently Asked Questions
What does P0261 mean on Ford?▼
P0261 stands for "Cylinder 1 Injector Circuit Low." The PCM detected low voltage (short to ground or open on the power side) in the cylinder 1 fuel injector control circuit. The injector cannot be properly energized, leading to a misfire on that cylinder. On Ford specifically, this code is documented across 1 model.
What causes P0261 on Ford vehicles?▼
Common causes on Ford: Short to ground in cylinder 1 injector wiring, Open on the injector power feed, Faulty cylinder 1 injector, Loose or corroded connector, PCM injector driver fault. Specific causes vary by model and year — see the per-model sections below.
How much does it cost to fix P0261 on a Ford?▼
Repair costs on Ford range from $350 to $1,100, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Which Ford models have P0261 documented?▼
Au7o has documented P0261 on 1 Ford model: F-350.