P0205 is an OBD2 trouble code. It indicates there is a fuel injector that has a circuit malfunction, in this case, it’s the fifth cylinder in the firing order that is malfunctioning. P0205 is a generic code, which means that it has the same meaning for the Volkswagen Atlas as it would for any other vehicle.
When the PCM sees that the voltage from cylinder 5 is outside the normal operating range, this code will be stored in the memory. P0205 is usually caused by a bad fuel injector or wiring issue. If the misfire were in cylinder 4, you’d get P0204.
P0205 is usually caused by a bad fuel injector or wiring issue.
P0205 Symptoms: Volkswagen Atlas
It is rare that there aren’t noticeable symptoms with P0205. Here are the most likely ones:
- Misfire– If your Atlas’s fuel injector is not getting the right amount of fuel into cylinder five, it’ll misfire. A misfire will hurt the acceleration of the vehicle and cause fuel mileage to suffer.
- Check Engine Light– The check engine light will be on, but you may or may not get a flashing check engine light as well.
You may also get another code, such as one related to the air/fuel mixture, or a misfire code such as P305 (misfire cylinder five).
P0205 Causes: Volkswagen Atlas
When diagnosing P0205 in your Atlas you only need to look at the fuel injector in cylinder five, since the PCM has pinpointed the location of the problem for you.
1. Bad Fuel Injector
Bad fuel injectors are the most common reason that P0205 is present in your Atlas. You still want to take a look at the wiring harness. You’ll also want to test the injector itself. There’s a YouTube video directly above that shows how to do that. A new fuel injector is relatively affordable.
Fuel injectors can make your Atlas’s PCM throw P0205 if they are plugged, dirty, or defective.
2. Wiring Issue
When diagnosing P0205, taking a look at the wiring around the injector is a great place to start. You want to make sure that it doesn’t look visibly damaged.
Make sure that the voltage at the injector matches the injectors that aren’t getting the code. If they aren’t that’s a good indication that something is wrong with the wiring harness.
3. Bad PCM
This is the last place that you’d want to look, but a bad PCM can be the reason why your Atlas is getting P0205.
Conclusion: P0205 Volkswagen Atlas
It’s usually not too hard to track down P0205, thanks to the fact that it is specific to the fifth cylinder. If there is anything you would like to add that could help the next person with their Atlas, please leave a comment. Good luck!