Powertrain (Engine & Gearbox)Standard EOBD

P02AE - Cylinder 6 Fuel Trim At Maximum Limit

Q: What are the symptoms of fault code P02AE?

• Check Engine Light (MIL) illuminated • Rough idle or engine vibration • Reduced engine power and poor acceleration • Increased fuel consumption • Hesitation or jerking under load

Q: What causes fault code P02AE?

• Most likely: Clogged or faulty fuel injector (Cylinder 6) • Likely: Intake manifold vacuum leak localized to cylinder 6 • Possible: Worn spark plug or ignition coil (causing incomplete combustion interpreted as lean) • Rare: Engine mechanical issue (low compression or worn cam lobe on cylinder 6) • Rare: Wiring harness chafing or connector oxidation at the injector

Q: How do you fix fault code P02AE?

STEP 1: Inspect the intake manifold for vacuum leaks using a smoke machine, focusing on cylinder 6. STEP 2: Perform a Cylinder Contribution Test using a scan tool. STEP 3: Measure injector resistance (typically 12-16 Ohms). Verify 12V supply and check the ground trigger signal from the ECU using an oscilloscope (Duty Cycle/Pulse width). STEP 4: Swap the fuel injector from cylinder 6 to another cylinder. If the fault code follows the injector, replace it. STEP 5: If the fault persists, perform a compression and leak-down test on cylinder 6.

Last updated:1 February 2026

Related:Fuel Injector Cylinder 6, Engine Control Module (ECU), Intake Manifold Gasket, Spark Plug / Ignition Coil, Crankshaft Position Sensor

System

Powertrain (Engine & Gearbox)

Related Fault Codes

P0200

Injector Circuit Malfunction

P0201

Cylinder 1 Injector Circuit Open

P0202

Injector Circuit - Cylinder 2 - Malfunction

P0203

Injector Circuit - Cylinder 3

Technical Description

The P02AE code is stored when the Engine Control Module (ECM) has reached its maximum enrichment limit for cylinder number 6. The ECM monitors crankshaft speed fluctuations (misfire monitor logic) to determine the contribution of each cylinder. If cylinder 6 is underperforming, the ECM increases the fuel injector pulse width to compensate. Once the Short Term Fuel Trim (STFT) for that specific cylinder hits its calibrated ceiling and the lean condition persists, P02AE is triggered. This typically indicates a restricted fuel injector or a localized vacuum leak affecting only that cylinder.

Possible Causes

Clogged or faulty fuel injector (Cylinder 6)

Intake manifold vacuum leak localized to cylinder 6

Worn spark plug or ignition coil (causing incomplete combustion interpreted as lean)

Engine mechanical issue (low compression or worn cam lobe on cylinder 6)

Wiring harness chafing or connector oxidation at the injector

Symptoms

Check Engine Light (MIL) illuminated

Rough idle or engine vibration

Reduced engine power and poor acceleration

Increased fuel consumption

Hesitation or jerking under load

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P02AE - Cylinder 6 Fuel Trim At Maximum Limit

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P02AE - Cylinder 6 Fuel Trim At Maximum Limit

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