P0267 on 2009-2013 Chevrolet Malibu: Cylinder 3 Injector Circuit Low Causes & Fixes

What's Unique About the 2009-2013 Chevrolet MALIBU

For this generation of Chevrolet Malibu and a wide range of other GM vehicles, wiring issues are a primary suspect for injector circuit codes. GM Technical Service Bulletin #PIP4924C specifically advises technicians to inspect the fuel injector wiring harness for rubbing through or internal wire opens. Common chafe points include contact against the intake plenum, valve cover bolts, the fuel line, and on the side of the cylinder head under the plenum. This known vulnerability makes a thorough visual inspection of the harness a critical first step before replacing the injector itself.

Diagnostic Flowchart

Tap your situation to follow the diagnostic path that matches what you're seeing on this vehicle.

Generation note: The 2009-2013 year range covers two generations of the Malibu. The 7th generation (2009-2012) primarily used a 2.4L I4 or 3.6L V6. The 8th generation began in 2013 with a new 2.5L I4 and a 2.4L eAssist hybrid model. The P0267 code applies to all engine types, as the underlying cause is related to the injector, its wiring, or the ECM, which are functionally similar across these engines.

Symptoms You May Notice

• Check Engine Light is on
• Engine misfire, which may feel like a stumble or shake
• Rough or uneven idle
• Hesitation or loss of power during acceleration
• Reduced fuel economy
• Engine may stall or have other drivability issues

Most Likely Causes

1. Faulty Cylinder 3 Fuel Injector 🔴 High Probability → Shop Fuel Injector Fuel injectors can fail electrically over time due to internal coil windings shorting out or breaking. Another failure mode can be a broken or weak internal return spring.
   How to confirm: Check the injector's resistance with a multimeter (compare to a known good injector). The most definitive test is to swap the cylinder 3 injector with an adjacent one (e.g., cylinder 2 or 4). If the code changes to follow the injector (e.g., P0264 for cylinder 2), the injector is faulty.
   Typical fix: Replace the faulty fuel injector. It is often recommended to replace all injectors at the same time, especially on higher mileage vehicles.
   Est. part cost: $50-$120
2. Wiring Harness or Connector Issue 🟡 Medium Probability As noted in GM TSB #PIP4924C, the wiring harness leading to the fuel injectors can become chafed, broken, or corroded. Specific chafe points to check are against the intake plenum, valve cover bolts, fuel lines, and the side of the cylinder head. 🎬 See how to visually inspect a wiring harness for shorts. The connector itself can also have bent or corroded pins.
   How to confirm: Visually inspect the wiring harness for any signs of damage, especially at the known chafe points. Check the connector at the fuel injector for a secure fit and clean pins. Use a noid light to verify the ECM is sending a pulse signal to the connector.
   Typical fix: Repair the damaged section of wire or replace the pigtail connector.
   Est. part cost: $10-$30 for a connector pigtail

Rare But Worth Checking

• Faulty Powertrain Control Module (PCM/ECM): → Shop Engine Control Module (ECM) This is the least likely cause. The internal driver circuit in the PCM that controls the injector can fail. This should only be considered after definitively ruling out the injector and wiring as the cause. Some owners have chased similar electrical issues, suspecting the ECM, only to find the problem was elsewhere, highlighting the need for proper diagnosis before replacement.

Diagnosis Steps

1. Scan the vehicle for all stored trouble codes. Note if P0267 is accompanied by a misfire code (P0303) or other injector codes.
2. Perform a thorough visual inspection of the cylinder 3 fuel injector, its electrical connector, and the surrounding wiring harness. Pay close attention to the known chafe points listed in TSB #PIP4924C: against the intake plenum, valve cover bolts, fuel lines, and the side of the cylinder head.
3. Disconnect the cylinder 3 injector connector. Use a 'noid light' to test for a pulse signal from the ECM while cranking the engine. If the light flashes, the ECM and wiring are likely sending a signal.
4. If a noid light isn't available, use a multimeter to check for battery voltage on one pin of the connector (with key on, engine off) and for a pulsing ground signal from the other pin while cranking. 🎬 Watch: How to test fuel injectors using basic hand tools. A reading below the specified voltage (e.g. under 4V) can confirm the 'low circuit' condition.
5. Turn the ignition off. Measure the resistance of the fuel injector itself using a multimeter. Compare the reading to the other injectors. A reading that is significantly different (usually much lower or an open circuit) indicates a bad injector.
6. If the wiring and injector resistance seem okay, swap the cylinder 3 injector with another cylinder's injector (e.g., cylinder 4).
7. Clear the codes and drive the vehicle. If the code returns as P0270 (Cylinder 4 Injector Circuit Low), the injector is confirmed to be the problem. If P0267 returns, the issue is in the wiring or the ECM.

Parts You'll Likely Need

• Fuel Injector (2.5L I4, 2013) (OEM #12662564) — This is the most common part to fail. This is the correct ACDelco OE part number for the 2013 Malibu with the 2.5L engine.
  Trusted brands: ACDelco (OE), Bosch, Standard Motor Products
  OEM price range: $70-$110
  Aftermarket price range: $45-$80
• Fuel Injector (2.4L I4, 2009-2012) (OEM #217-3158) — This is the most common part to fail. This is the correct ACDelco OE part number for the 2009-2012 Malibu with the 2.4L engine.
  Trusted brands: ACDelco (OE), Delphi, Standard Motor Products
  OEM price range: $80-$120
  Aftermarket price range: $50-$85
• Fuel Injector (3.6L V6, 2009-2012) (OEM #12634126) — This is the most common part to fail. This is a common ACDelco OE part number for the 3.6L V6 engine used in this platform.
  Trusted brands: ACDelco (OE), Bosch, Standard Motor Products
  OEM price range: $75-$120
  Aftermarket price range: $45-$80

Related Codes That Often Appear With This One

• P0303 — P0303 means 'Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected'. A faulty fuel injector circuit (P0267) prevents proper fueling for cylinder 3, which directly causes a misfire.
• P0261, P0264, P0270 — These are 'Circuit Low' codes for other cylinders. If multiple injector codes appear together, it strongly points to a widespread wiring harness issue or a problem with the ECM's power supply or ground, as described in TSB #PIP4924C.

Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) & Recalls

• Bulletin #PIP4924C: A critical TSB that lists a wide range of GM vehicles, including the Malibu, that are prone to injector circuit codes (P0261, P0267, etc.) due to the engine wiring harness rubbing through. It provides specific locations to inspect for damage.

Platform-Specific Known Issues

• A known issue, documented in GM Technical Service Bulletin #PIP4924C, involves potential damage to the fuel injector wiring harness. The bulletin specifically calls out chafe points where the harness can rub against the intake plenum, valve cover bolts, fuel lines, or the side of the cylinder head, causing a short or open circuit that triggers codes like P0267. A careful inspection of the harness is recommended before replacing parts.

Mechanic-Grade Diagnostic Values

• Fuel Injector Resistance (2.4L Ecotec Engine) — expected: ~12.5 Ohms. Failure: A reading significantly different from 12.5 Ohms, an open circuit (OL), or a short (near 0 Ohms) indicates a faulty injector coil. Consistency across all injectors is key; a single injector that deviates by more than 0.5 Ohms from the others is suspect.
• Fuel Injector Resistance (3.6L LFX V6 Engine - Direct Injection) — expected: 1.2 - 1.8 Ohms. Failure: A reading outside this range indicates an internal fault in the direct injector. These are low-impedance injectors, so their resistance is much lower than the port injectors on the 2.4L engine.
• Injector Circuit Voltage (Live Data) — expected: Typically 12V on the power side (Key On, Engine Off) and a pulsed ground from the ECM when running.. Failure: A constant reading below 4V on the control circuit can trigger the P0267 code.

Scan Tool Commands That Help

• GM Tech 2 / GDS2: Injector Balance Test — This is a powerful bidirectional test to use when an injector's resistance measures correctly, but a mechanical issue (clogging, weak spray) is still suspected. The tool commands each injector to fire for a precise duration and measures the corresponding drop in fuel rail pressure. If the pressure drop for cylinder 3 is significantly different from the other cylinders, it confirms a functional problem with that injector.

Wiring & Ground Locations

• Fuel Injector 3 Control Wire — On a 2012 Malibu with a 2.4L engine, the control signal wire for the cylinder 3 fuel injector is located at pin 'Fuel inj 3 ctrl' on the ECM connector. The ECM itself is located in the left front of the engine compartment.. This is the specific wire that must be tested for continuity between the ECM and the injector connector to rule out a break or short in the harness.
• G107 / G108 — G107 is a common engine ground located on the lower left side of the engine block (for the 2.4L). G108 is another critical engine ground. A GM service bulletin for other electrical issues highlights the importance of ensuring these grounds are clean and tight.. A poor engine ground can cause floating voltages and insufficient current flow for various components, including the injector driver circuits in the ECM. This can lead to intermittent and difficult-to-diagnose low voltage codes like P0267.
• J130 — For the 2.4L engine, a wiring diagram shows a splice point labeled 'J130' located in the fuel injector harness, 4 cm from the breakout to the fuel injector 2.. While this specific splice is near injector 2, its existence highlights that splices are present within the harness. A corroded or failed splice in the power or ground distribution part of the injector harness could affect multiple injectors and be a hidden cause of circuit codes.

Real Owner Repair Stories

• Chevy HHR Network Forum (2011 Malibu (parts donor), similar 2.4L Ecotec engine) — P0304 (Cylinder 4 Misfire), which is often caused by the same injector faults that would trigger a P0267.
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) Initial diagnosis pointed to a fuel delivery issue on one cylinder.
  ✅ What actually fixed it The owner acquired a used fuel rail and injectors from a low-mileage 2011 Malibu. Before installing, they tested the resistance of the replacement injectors on the bench and confirmed they all read a healthy 12.5 Ohms. This pre-testing confirmed the electrical integrity of the replacement parts before going through the labor of swapping them.

OEM Part Supersession History

• 12638530 → 12669384 — This is a common supersession for the 3.6L V6 direct fuel injector. GM often updates part numbers due to design revisions, material changes, or supplier changes.
  Heads up: While the new part number (12669384) replaces the old one (12638530), it is highly recommended to replace all injectors on the same bank (or all 6) at the same time to ensure consistent flow rates and performance, as mixing old and new designs can sometimes lead to subtle imbalances.

Model Year Variations Within This Range

• 2009-2012 vs. 2013: The primary difference is the introduction of the new 2.5L I4 (LKW) engine in 2013, which uses different fuel injectors (PN 12662564) than the 2.4L I4 (LE9/LEA) used in earlier years (PN 217-3158). The 3.6L V6 also transitioned from the LLT to the LFX design around 2012, which involved changes to the fuel system and injectors (Direct Injection), requiring different diagnostic values (e.g., ~1.5 Ohms resistance for LFX vs. ~12 Ohms for 2.4L port injectors).