P0276 on 2009-2014 Chevrolet Traverse: Cylinder 6 Injector Circuit Low Causes and Fixes

What's Unique About the 2009-2014 Chevrolet TRAVERSE

For the first-generation Chevrolet Traverse with the 3.6L V6 engine, the most prominent cause for a P0276 code is not necessarily a failed injector, but a compromised wiring harness. General Motors issued a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB #PIP4924D) that specifically lists P0276 and points technicians to inspect the fuel injector wiring harness for rub-through. Common chafe points mentioned in the TSB include contact against the intake plenum, valve cover bolts, fuel lines, and the side of the cylinder head under the plenum. This makes a thorough visual inspection of the wiring a critical first step, potentially saving owners the cost of an unnecessary injector replacement.

Diagnostic Flowchart

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

Symptoms You May Notice

• Check Engine Light is on or flashing
• Rough idle or engine shaking
• Reduced engine power and sluggish acceleration
• Poor fuel economy
• Engine hesitation or stalling
• Smell of raw fuel from the exhaust

Most Likely Causes

1. Damaged Fuel Injector Wiring Harness 🔴 High Probability → Shop Engine Wiring Harness As documented in TSB #PIP4924D, the injector wiring harness on these vehicles is known to rub against other engine components, causing wires to chafe, break, or short to ground. Specific chafe points are against the intake plenum, valve cover bolts, fuel lines, and the side of the cylinder head.
   How to confirm: Visually inspect the entire length of the fuel injector harness, especially where it runs near the back of the engine and around the cylinder heads. Look for any signs of rubbing, exposed wires, or damaged conduit. It may be necessary to remove the engine cover and intake plenum for a clear view. Check for continuity on the injector control wire between the ECM and injector connector 🎬 Watch: Step-by-step diagnosis and repair for injectors 4 and 6 using a multimeter.
   Typical fix: Repair the damaged section of the wire using solder and heat-shrink tubing or replace the harness connector pigtail. In severe cases, a new engine wiring harness may be needed.
   Est. part cost: $15-$200
2. Faulty Cylinder 6 Fuel Injector 🟡 Medium Probability → Shop Fuel Injector Direct injection (DI) injectors operate under high pressure and can fail internally. The internal coil can short or develop high resistance, causing the low circuit fault.
   How to confirm: After confirming the wiring is intact, swap the cylinder 6 fuel injector with one from another cylinder (e.g., cylinder 4). Clear the codes and drive the vehicle. If the code changes to P0270 (Cylinder 4 Injector Circuit Low), the injector is faulty. A good injector for the LLT engine should have a resistance of approximately 1.5 ohms.
   Typical fix: Replace the failed fuel injector. It is often recommended to replace all injectors on the same bank, especially on high-mileage vehicles, along with their Teflon seals. 🎬 See this walkthrough for removing and installing GDI injectors
   Est. part cost: $50-$150
3. Loose or Corroded Injector Connector ⚪ Low Probability The connector is exposed to engine heat and vibration, which can cause it to become brittle or work itself loose over time. Moisture can also lead to corrosion on the pins.
   How to confirm: Disconnect the electrical connector at the cylinder 6 fuel injector and inspect the terminals for corrosion, moisture, bent pins, or damage. Ensure it clicks securely back into place.
   Typical fix: Clean the connector terminals with electrical contact cleaner and apply dielectric grease to prevent future moisture intrusion. Replace the connector pigtail if it is damaged or will not lock securely.
   Est. part cost: $15-$30

Rare But Worth Checking

• Faulty Engine Control Module (ECM): → Shop Engine Control Module (ECM) This is the least likely cause. The internal driver circuit for the cylinder 6 injector can fail. All other possibilities, especially wiring and the injector itself, must be exhaustively ruled out before condemning the ECM.

Diagnosis Steps

1. Read the code(s) with an OBD-II scanner to confirm P0276 and any other related codes.
2. Perform a thorough visual inspection of the fuel injector wiring harness, as recommended by TSB #PIP4924D. Pay close attention to areas where the harness may rub against the intake plenum, valve cover bolts, fuel lines, or the side of the head.
3. Inspect the electrical connector on the cylinder 6 fuel injector for damage, corrosion, or a loose connection. Cylinder 6 is on the front bank (Bank 2), closer to the radiator.
4. If wiring appears okay, test the injector resistance. Using a multimeter, check the resistance across the two pins of the injector. For the 3.6L LLT engine, it should be around 1.5 ohms. A reading that is significantly different indicates a faulty injector.
5. If resistance is good, swap the cylinder 6 injector with another cylinder's injector (e.g., cylinder 4). Clear the codes and see if the fault follows the injector (e.g., P0270 appears). If it does, the injector is bad.
6. If the fault remains on cylinder 6 (P0276 returns), the problem is in the wiring or the ECM. Use a multimeter to check for continuity and for a short to ground on the control wire between the ECM connector and the injector connector.
7. If wiring and the injector are confirmed to be good, the final step is to suspect a faulty ECM driver, which is rare.

Parts You'll Likely Need

• Fuel Injector (OEM #12638530 (supersedes 12632255, 12611545 for LLT engine)) — If the injector's internal coil has failed, it will cause a low circuit condition. This is the second most likely cause after a wiring issue. Part number 12669384 is for the later LFX engine.
  Trusted brands: ACDelco, Bosch, Standard Motor Products
  OEM price range: $80-$120
  Aftermarket price range: $40-$80
• Fuel Injector Connector Pigtail (OEM #Dorman 645-800) — If the wiring is damaged right at the connector, or the connector itself is broken, splicing in a new pigtail is the standard repair. The Dorman 645-800 is a commonly cited compatible part.
  Trusted brands: ACDelco, Dorman, Standard Motor Products (S-1024)
  OEM price range: $25-$40
  Aftermarket price range: $15-$25

Related Codes That Often Appear With This One

• P0306 — This code means 'Cylinder 6 Misfire Detected'. It is a direct symptom of the injector circuit fault indicated by P0276, as the cylinder is not receiving the proper amount of fuel.
🎬 Watch: Common causes and fixes for a cylinder 6 misfire
• P0300 — This 'Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire' code can appear if the engine is running very poorly or if a wiring harness issue is starting to affect other injector circuits as well.
• P0206 — This code for 'Injector Circuit/Open - Cylinder 6' is another closely related fault. P0276 indicates a low voltage condition, while P0206 indicates a complete break in the circuit. They often share the same root causes, typically a broken wire.

Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) & Recalls

• PIP4924D: Mentions that various injector circuit codes, including P0276, can be set due to a fuel injector wiring harness that has rubbed through or has an internal wiring issue. It advises inspecting the harness for contact against the intake plenum, valve cover bolts, fuel lines, and cylinder head.

Platform-Specific Known Issues

• TSB #PIP4924D explicitly calls out that P0276 (and other injector codes) can be caused by the fuel injector wiring harness rubbing through or having an internal short. This is a well-documented issue on this platform.
• Forum users on traverseforum.com and acadiaforum.net frequently report finding the injector harness chafed against a bracket or the cylinder head on the firewall side of the engine, leading to intermittent P0276 and misfire codes.

Mechanic-Grade Diagnostic Values

• Fuel Injector Coil Resistance (2009-2011 3.6L LLT Engine) — expected: 11.8 - 12.6 Ohms. Failure: A reading significantly outside this range indicates a failed injector. This is a high-impedance injector.
• Fuel Injector Coil Resistance (2012-2014 3.6L LFX Engine) — expected: 1.2 - 1.8 Ohms. Failure: A reading significantly outside this range indicates a failed injector. This is a low-impedance injector and is not compatible with the LLT engine.
• Low-Side Fuel Pressure (In-Tank Pump) — expected: 55-60 PSI (Key On, Engine Off). Failure: Pressure below this range indicates a weak lift pump or clogged filter, which can cause drivability issues but is not a direct cause of a circuit code.
• Injector Circuit Voltage (at connector, key on) — expected: ~12 Volts (Battery Voltage). Failure: Low or no voltage on the power feed wire points to an upstream wiring issue, fuse, or relay problem.

Scan Tool Commands That Help

• GM GDS2 / Tech 2: Fuel Injector Balance Test — Use this bidirectional test when the injector wiring and resistance test good, but a mechanical injector issue (clogging) is suspected. The tool individually pulses each injector and measures the drop in fuel rail pressure. All injector pressure drops should be within 1.5-3.0 PSI (10-20 kPa) of each other. A cylinder with a significantly smaller pressure drop indicates a restricted injector.

Wiring & Ground Locations

• G105 — At the left rear of the engine block/cylinder head, often near the transmission.. This is a primary engine and ECM ground. A loose or corroded connection here can cause unstable voltages throughout the engine management system, potentially triggering false 'circuit low' codes.
• G107 / G106 — On the engine block or cylinder head, near the front of the engine on the driver's side.. This is another primary ground for the ECM and other engine components. A poor connection can lead to erratic sensor readings and incorrect operation of actuators, including injectors.
• Injector Harness Chafe Points — Most commonly where the harness routes over the rear of the engine, making contact with the intake plenum, valve cover bolts, fuel lines, or the edge of the cylinder head.. This is the most probable cause of P0276 on this vehicle, as documented in TSB #PIP4924D. The constant vibration and heat cause the harness to rub through, shorting the injector control wire to ground and triggering the 'circuit low' code.

Real Owner Repair Stories

• traverseforum.com / acadiaforum.net (multiple threads) (2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse / GMC Acadia (LLT Engine)) — Check engine light with P0276 and P0306 (Cylinder 6 Misfire), rough idle, hesitation on acceleration.
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) Replacing the cylinder 6 fuel injector, Swapping ignition coils, Replacing spark plugs
  ✅ What actually fixed it The problem was consistently traced back to the fuel injector wiring harness. Owners reported finding a section of the harness, often near the firewall or where it wraps around the back of the engine, had rubbed through against a metal bracket or the cylinder head. Repairing the specific broken or shorted wire (typically the control wire for injector #6) and protecting the harness with additional conduit or re-routing it slightly resolved the code.

"I Checked Everything" — The Actual Cause

• The electrical equivalent of this is when standard continuity and short-to-ground tests on the injector harness pass, but the code persists. The cause is often an intermittent short that only occurs under specific conditions (e.g., engine vibration at a certain RPM, or thermal expansion when hot). The wire's insulation is compromised, but it only makes contact with ground when the harness shifts, making it very difficult to find with the engine off.

When the Usual Fixes Don't Work

• The Pass 2 data suggested a fuel injector resistance of ~1.5 ohms for the entire 2009-2014 range. This is incorrect and potentially costly. A technician diagnosing a 2010 Traverse (LLT engine) would expect to see ~12 ohms on a good injector. If they followed the Pass 2 advice, they would measure 12 ohms, compare it to the incorrect 1.5 ohm spec, and falsely conclude the injector was bad. This would lead to replacing a perfectly good injector while leaving the actual problem, most likely a chafed wire, unresolved.

OEM Part Supersession History

• 12638530 (also 12632255, 12611545) → 12669384 — Part update for a different engine series.
  Heads up: CRITICAL: Part number 12638530 is a high-impedance (~12 Ohm) injector for the 2009-2011 LLT engine. Part 12669384 is a low-impedance (~1.5 Ohm) injector for the 2012-2014 LFX engine. They are NOT interchangeable. Installing the wrong injector will cause immediate running issues and may damage the ECM injector driver.

Model Year Variations Within This Range

• 2009-2011 (and some early 2012): These years use the 3.6L LLT V6 engine. This engine uses high-impedance fuel injectors (PN 12638530, ~12 Ohms) and a Bosch ECM. Diagnostic procedures must use the correct resistance specification.
• 2012-2014: These years use the updated 3.6L LFX V6 engine. This engine features integrated exhaust manifolds, a Delphi ECM, and low-impedance fuel injectors (PN 12669384, ~1.5 Ohms). Using the LLT resistance spec for diagnosis will lead to incorrectly condemning a good injector.