P020B

What it means

P020B is the generic code for a fault in the injection timing for cylinder 2. It is mainly seen on diesel engines, though the exact monitoring method depends on the make and engine. The engine control unit has seen that the actual or commanded injection timing for that cylinder is outside the expected range, or that the injector circuit is not responding as commanded.

Symptoms

• Engine management light on
• Rough idle or misfire, particularly on cylinder 2
• Hard starting or extended cranking
• Loss of power or limp mode
• Diesel knock, excess smoke or increased fuel consumption

Possible causes

• Faulty or sticking fuel injector on cylinder 2likely
• Damaged wiring or poor connector contact in the cylinder 2 injector circuitlikely
• Low fuel pressure or a fuel supply problem such as a blocked filter, air in the fuel or a weak pumppossible
• Crankshaft or camshaft position sensor fault giving unreliable timing referencepossible
• Mechanical timing fault such as a stretched or slipped timing belt or chain, or a pump timing error on engines that use onepossible
• Engine control unit fault or outdated calibration, where a manufacturer update is known to address itrare

How to diagnose

1. Read all stored and pending codes and the freeze frame data, noting engine speed, load and temperature when the fault set
2. Check for related codes such as other injector, rail pressure, or crank and cam sensor faults, and deal with those first
3. Inspect the cylinder 2 injector wiring and connectors for chafing, corrosion, oil contamination or loose pins
4. Check fuel level and quality, the fuel filter condition and look for air ingress or leaks in the low pressure side
5. Check live data for fuel rail pressure against its target, and for injector correction or balance values for cylinder 2
6. Check crankshaft and camshaft sensor signals and the integrity of the timing belt or chain, following the procedure for the specific engine
7. Test the cylinder 2 injector electrically and by a leak-off or balance test as the model's procedure requires
8. Check whether a software update is listed for the vehicle and fault before replacing control units

How to fix

• Repair or replace damaged wiring or connectors in the injector circuit
• Replace the faulty cylinder 2 injector and carry out any required coding or adaptation for the engine
• Replace the fuel filter, fix air leaks and correct any low pressure fuel supply fault
• Replace a faulty crankshaft or camshaft position sensor
• Correct the mechanical timing fault and check for associated damage
• Update the control unit calibration only where an outdated one is a known cause for that vehicle

Can I keep driving?

Nearby codes

• P020AGenericCylinder 1 Injection Timing
• P020CGenericCylinder 3 Injection Timing