In this tutorial, I'll explain how to resistance test the fuel injectors with a multimeter in Ohms mode.
With your test results you'll be able to find out if any of the fuel injectors are shorted internally and causing a misfire problem. All is explained in a step-by-step way.
Contents of this tutorial at a glance:
NOTE: This tutorial applies to the following vehicles:
Chrysler Vehicles:
- 2.4L DOHC Sebring: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006.
- 2.4L DOHC Sebring Convertible: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006.
Dodge Vehicles:
- 2.4L DOHC Stratus: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006.
Symptoms Of A Bad Fuel Injector
When a fuel injector fails, it'll either become clogged or it will short-out internally.
A clogged fuel injector will inject fuel, just not enough. When a fuel injector shorts-out internally, it stops injecting fuel completely.
The fuel injection computer is designed to set a fuel injector trouble code when a fuel injector fails (shorts-out internally). Although it doesn't always register a fuel injector trouble code, when it does you'll see one of the following:
- P0201: Injector 1 Control Circuit.
- P0202: Injector 2 Control Circuit.
- P0203: Injector 3 Control Circuit.
- P0204: Injector 4 Control Circuit.
In most cases when a fuel injector fails (either because it becomes clogged or shorted-out internally), the engine will suffer a misfire condition. The fuel injection computer will sense the misfire and set a misfire trouble code. You'll see one of the following trouble codes:
- P0300: Random Cylinder Misfire.
- P0301: Cylinder #1 Misfire.
- P0302: Cylinder #2 Misfire.
- P0303: Cylinder #3 Misfire.
- P0304: Cylinder #4 Misfire.
Besides a misfire trouble code you're also gonna' see one or more of the following symptoms:
- Rough idle.
- Bad gas mileage.
- A heavier than usual exhaust gas smell coming out of the tailpipe.
- Lack of power when accelerating the vehicle under load.
Where To Buy The Fuel Injectors And Save
If you're in need of a new fuel injector, take a look at the following links. I think, you'll find that, compared to your local auto parts store, you'll save quite a few bucks buying them online:
2001-2004 2.4L DOHC Chrysler Sebring And Dodge Stratus:
2005-2006 2.4L DOHC Chrysler Sebring And Dodge Stratus:
Testing The Fuel Injector Resistance
Testing the resistance of the fuel injector checks to see if the fuel injector has shorted-out internally.
If the fuel injector is shorted-out internally your multimeter will give you an Ohms reading of less than 1 Ohm.
If everything is OK (internally with the fuel injector) resistance should be around 10 to 16 Ohms.
These are the test steps:
- 1
Place your multimeter in Ohms mode.
- 2
Disconnect the cylinder #1 fuel injector from its electrical connector.
- 3
Probe male spade terminals of the fuel injector with the multimeter test leads.
- 4
Your multimeter should register 10 to 16 Ohms.
- 5
Repeat steps 2 thru' 4 on the remaining fuel injectors.
Let's examine your resistance test results:
CASE 1: The resistance of all 4 fuel injectors is within 10 to 16 Ohms. This is the correct test result and lets you know that the fuel injectors are not shorted-out internally.
If you suspect that a fuel injector clogged, take a look at this section: How To Find The Bad Or Clogged Fuel Injector.
CASE 2: One or more fuel injectors' resistance value is not within specification. Replace the fuel injector that gave you a reading not within the specification.
Check out my recommendations here: Where To Buy The Fuel Injectors And Save.
