Cylinder 6 injector circuit fault.
P0206 — also written PO2O6, P 0206, 0206 — is the OBD-II code for injector circuit — cylinder 6. Same code, same fix: this page covers every spelling of it.
This is a 'hard' electrical fault where the ECU has lost its connection to the number 6 injector, usually found on V6 diesels like the Land Rover SDV6 or German 3.0 TDIs. It’s not a 'clogged' injector; it’s a broken circuit that'll leave you limping home or stuck on the hard shoulder.
P0206 is a fuel & air fault code, typically costing £150–£700 to put right in a UK garage.
What P0206 actually feels like to drive
- The car feels like it’s 'chugging' or running on five cylinders, especially under load.
- Engine Management Light (EML) is on, often accompanied by a 'Drivetrain Malfunction' message on the dash.
- Heavy diesel knock or 'clatter' that sounds like a hammer hitting an anvil.
- The car starts fine from cold but starts misfiring once the engine bay gets up to temperature.
- Noticeable 'kangarooing' when you're trying to maintain 30 or 40mph in town.
- Stalled at a junction and struggled to restart, smelling of unburnt fuel from the exhaust.
What causes P0206?
- Failed injector
- Wiring
UK vehicles that throw P0206 most often
- Land Rover Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 (2009-2016)
- Range Rover Sport 3.0 TDV6 (306DT engine)
- Audi A6 / A8 3.0 TDI (V6 models 2011-2018)
- BMW 330d / 530d (N57 straight-six engines) 2008-2015
- Jaguar XF 3.0D V6 (2009-2015) 306DT unit
- Mercedes-Benz E350 CDi (OM642 V6 engine) 2009-2016
How P0206 is fixed
- Injector replacement
The P0206 misdiagnosis that wastes money
I’ve seen dozens of lads jump straight to swapping out the injector because the scan tool says 'Circuit'. They fit a cheap, unbranded reman unit from eBay, and the fault is still there. Half the time, it’s not the injector solenoid at all; it's the 'rat-size' wiring loom on the V6 TDIs or the pins backing out of the ECU connector. Another classic is a failing ECU driver. I once had an Audi A6 where a lad replaced all six injectors trying to chase this, only for me to find a corroded multi-plug under the scuttle panel. Check your resistance at the injector first, then check it at the ECU – if they don't match, the wire's your enemy, not the part.
What a UK garage should charge for P0206
You're looking at £60 to £90 for an initial diagnostic plug-in at a decent indie. If it’s just the wiring loom (common on the JLR stuff), you might get away with £150-£200 for a repair. If the injector is shot, a brand new Bosch or Denso unit will set you back £250 to £400 plus VAT, and about two hours of labour at £70-£100 an hour. If you go to a main dealer, expect a bill north of £800 because they’ll only fit 'genuine' boxed parts with a massive markup. Always factor in a new copper crush washer and a stretch bolt—never let a garage reuse the old ones.
P0206 repair cost in the UK
Most P0206 repairs land between £150–£700 including parts and labour. The spread is wide because the cheap fix (a sensor, a hose, a leak) and the expensive fix (a major component) throw the same code — which is why a proper diagnosis before parts are bought saves the most money.
Bob's tip on P0206
If your local garage just says "it needs a new injector," ask them if they’ve done a 'noid light' test or a resistance sweep from the ECU harness. A genuine Bosch or Delphi injector for a modern common-rail engine isn't cheap, so you want proof it's dead. Also, insist they check the 'correction factors' or 'IMA codes' on the other five injectors while the laptop is plugged in. If one’s gone, others might be getting leggy. If they have to replace it, make sure they give you the old part in a box – it’s your right, and it proves they actually swapped it.
Can you drive with P0206?
Avoid driving.
Urgency: high.