P1206 Fault Code

Long Description

Fault code P1206 is a manufacturer-specific fault code that represents an electrical issue with the fuel injector for the sixth cylinder for a wide number of manufacturers.

Because this code indicates that the sixth fuel injector is malfunctioning, only engines with six cylinders can suffer from this issue.

The fuel injector is responsible for pressurizing and vaporizing the fuel as it enters the combustion chamber. This is done to increase performance and fuel efficiency. These systems replaced carburetors many years ago, becoming standard on all cars.

This type of code can cause a host of issues when it comes to driveability, including misfires and running rich or lean.

Despite falling into the manufacturer-specific fault code category, P1206 represents the same problem for a host of different manufacturers. These include Citroen, Peugeot, Ford, Land Rover, Jaguar, Audi, Volvo, and Volkswagen.

Other Signs of This Problem

There can be some noticeable signs when it comes to fuel injector problems. These typically affect driveability in terms of performance.

One of the most common signs will typically be the presence of the Check Engine light on the dashboard. For some vehicles, this code can also cause the engine to go into limp mode.

There will also be a decrease in performance and an increase in fuel consumption. Some cars will also stutter when under acceleration. The engine will also likely idle roughly.

In some cases, the sixth cylinder will also misfire. This can be a fairly serious problem. This will typically be shown by fault code P0306.

Be sure to look out for additional fault codes that like P0200, P0206, P0276, and P0227.

What Could Be The Problem?

Because the code indicates that there is an electrical issue in the sixth fuel injector circuit, it is likely that there is a problem in its circuit. However, it is possible that the fuel injector itself is faulty.

It is also possible that there are electrical faults present. These can include damaged or frayed wires and loose connections. The fuel injector connection may have also become dirty.

In some cases, a faulty powertrain control module (PCM) can be the cause.

Fixes

The first step in fixing this issue is determining if the sensor is faulty or if there is another problem at hand in the circuit.

Cleaning the fuel injector is a relatively simple step that can help fix the issue.

One of the easiest ways to check if the fuel injector is faulty is to swap it with the injector from another cylinder and perform a road test. By clearing the code beforehand, it is possible to pinpoint if the fuel injector is faulty if a new code is logged for the new injector location.

If the code remains on the sixth cylinder, the problem will be found in the sixth cylinder circuit.

Shorts and open circuits caused by damaged wires or loose connections in the circuit need to be fixed.

If it is determined that the PCM is faulty, it needs to be replaced or its software needs to be updated.

Seriousness

Fault code P1206 is a moderately severe problem. It can cause damage to the engine if ignored for long enough. It will also likely come with a number of reductions in the performance of the engine.

It is recommended to have this issue fixed as soon as possible.