P0263 — Cylinder 1 Contribution/Balance Fault
What it means: Cylinder 1 Contribution/Balance Fault.
How serious / can you keep driving: Caution. Limp to the next safe stop.
Check first: Start with the most likely cause: Faulty injector cylinder 1.
Don't risk it — look up listed providers near you and give them this code when you call.
Listed providers nearest Ocala, FL
Closest first. Tell them P0263 and what the truck is doing. RoadService.app lists these providers and does not employ them or carry out the repair.
- 0.0 mi away — based in Ocala, FL · (352) 830-1899
- 0.0 mi away — based in Ocala, FL · (352) 620-0740
- 0.0 mi away — based in Ocala, FL · (352) 497-0277
Seen on: Cummins · Detroit · Navistar
What P0263 means
Cylinder 1 Contribution/Balance Fault. Common causes: Faulty injector cylinder 1, low compression.
How serious is it?
Caution. Limp to the next safe stop.
Most likely causes
- Faulty injector cylinder 1
- low compression
- Injector electrical harness fault
- injector stiction
FAQ
Cylinder 1 Contribution/Balance Fault. Common causes: Faulty injector cylinder 1, low compression.
Caution — Limp to the next safe stop.
The most common cause is: Faulty injector cylinder 1. Other possibilities include low compression; Injector electrical harness fault; injector stiction.
Limp to the next safe stop. When in doubt, get a qualified mobile diesel tech on the truck before continuing.
Related codes
Codes that commonly appear alongside P0263, or share the same subsystem.
- Injector Metering Rail 1 Pressure - Data Valid But Below Normal Operating Range (XPI common rail fuel pressure too low) (SPN 157 FMI 1)
- Fuel Delivery Pressure — Low (SPN 94 FMI 1)
- Injection Rail Pressure — Below Normal (SPN 157 FMI 18)
- Injector Metering Rail 1 Pressure - Data Valid But Above Normal Operating Range (XPI common rail fuel pressure too high) (SPN 157 FMI 0)
- Injector #1 open circuit (SPN 651 FMI 5)
- Injector #2 open circuit (SPN 652 FMI 5)
- Injector #3 open circuit (SPN 653 FMI 5)
- Injector #4 open circuit (SPN 654 FMI 5)
Same symptom: Fuel delivery
Other codes on the tank-to-injector path — pressure, filters, water and the pump.
- Fuel System Leak Detected - Large Leak (P0093) · Fuel System
- HP Fuel Rail Pressure Low During Power Enrichment (P1093) · Fuel System
- High-Pressure Fuel System Relief Valve Open (P2BAD) · Fuel System
- Injector #5 open circuit (SPN 655 FMI 5) · Fuel System
- Injector #6 open circuit (SPN 656 FMI 5) · Fuel System
- Fuel Rail/System Pressure Too Low (P0087) · Fuel System
Find a mechanic or related guides
General diagnostic guidance for diesel engines (Cummins, Detroit, PACCAR, Volvo, Mack and more). Not a substitute for a scan-tool diagnosis on your specific truck.