P0269 Cylinder 3 Contribution/Balance — Causes & Fix

What Does P0269 Mean?

P0269 indicates the ECU has detected a power imbalance in cylinder 3. The ECU monitors crankshaft acceleration after each cylinder fires — when cylinder 3 contributes noticeably less torque, P0269 is stored. On 4-cylinder engines, cylinder 3 is particularly prone to thermal stress as it's in the centre of the block with less cooling airflow, which can accelerate injector wear.

P0269 at a Glance

• What it means: The ECU has detected that cylinder 3 is contributing less power than the other cylinders.
• Most common cause: Worn or failing cylinder 3 injector, causing uneven fuel delivery.
• Severity: Moderate — driveable but causes rough running and increased emissions.
• Can you drive?: Yes, but performance is reduced. Address within 1–2 weeks.
• Typical repair cost: £100–£350 for injector replacement.