P0284 Code: Cylinder 8 Contribution / Balance

Factors like engine compression and the air-fuel ratio can affect the power output of each cylinder in your engine. If you think your vehicle’s engine has problems, you should connect a scan tool to check if codes like the P0284 code have been stored.

What Does the P0284 Code Mean?

The P0284 code is defined as “Cylinder 8 Contribution/Balance.” The PCM is able to measure how much power each cylinder is able to produce by measuring how much the crankshaft accelerates during the power stroke of each cylinder. The powertrain control module (PCM) triggers this code when it detects that cylinder #8 isn’t producing the desired amount of power.

Note: The definition of code P0284 might be different depending on the vehicle manufacturer. Consult the appropriate repair manual or repair database for the exact code definition.

What are the Common Causes of the P0284 Code?

The issues that trigger the P0284 code are commonly caused by the following issues:

• Failed fuel injector
• Dirty or clogged fuel injector
• Internal engine failure
• PCM needs to be updated
• Wiring issue

What are the Common Symptoms of the P0284 Code?

Your vehicle might exhibit the following symptoms if the P0284 is stored:

• Illuminated check engine light
• Reduced power and acceleration
• Rough engine idle
• Reduced fuel economy

How to Diagnose the P0284 Code

If the P0284 code has been triggered, then you’ll need to identify the cause of this diagnostic trouble code (DTC) before you make any repairs. You shouldn’t automatically assume your vehicle’s problems are the same as P0284 code’s common causes.

Diagnosing this DTC might involve doing visual inspections and perhaps even running tests on some components like the fuel injectors and wiring. These tasks can require technical knowledge and specialized tools. If you think this is daunting, then you should leave it to a professional mechanic.

How to Fix the P0284 Code

Want to solve the problems causing the P0284 code? Unfortunately, there isn’t a single procedure that will guarantee a fix because solutions vary depending on a vehicle’s make and model.

There might be a chance that your vehicle won’t show any reliability or drivability symptoms with this trouble code. However, this shouldn’t stop you from fixing the issues that cause this DTC. We recommend that you fix the issues triggering this code to prevent any future problems.

Your course of action will depend on the diagnosis. This is why getting an accurate diagnosis is important. Once you’ve found the root cause, you can start looking at reputable internet repair resources and how-to guides for possible solutions. Your owner’s manual might also have important information regarding your vehicle’s problem, so make sure to check it.

Where to Get a Replacement Fuel Injector for Your Vehicle

A faulty fuel injector can cause reduced power and lower fuel efficiency as well as trigger DTC P0284. This can cause a good deal of frustration and expense for drivers. If you need  to replace a bad fuel injector look no further than CarParts.com.

CarParts.com offers many guarantees to help you shop online with confidence. For example, our price-match guarantee makes sure you get the best deals when shopping with us. Meanwhile, our lifetime-replacement guarantee makes coming back to our online store worth it every time. And finally, for your peace of mind, we have a 60-day return policy in place.

Get the parts you need to resolve DTC P0284. Replace your faulty fuel injector today by buying from CarParts.com.