Code
P2892
Generic
P — Powertrain
Cylinder 1 Ion Current Sense Circuit Low
AI status
Completed
Completed
100%
Causes
- Open or short in ion-sense wiring for cylinder 1
- Faulty ignition coil (ion-sensing type) for cylinder 1
- Bad or fouled spark plug or spark plug lead
- Poor connector or ground at coil or PCM
- Failed PCM/ignition driver or internal input circuit
- Severely low compression or mechanical issue in cylinder 1
Symptoms
- Check Engine Light with P2892 stored
- Misfire or rough idle, often localized to cylinder 1
- Reduced power, hesitation or poor driveability under load
- Possible hard start or extended cranking
- Other cylinder-specific misfire codes (may appear)
What to check
- Read and record freeze frame and all stored/related codes with a scan tool
- Monitor live data/ion-current (or ion-sense) parameter for cylinder 1 and compare with other cylinders
- Visual inspection of coil/plug harness, connectors, pins and grounds for damage or corrosion
- Inspect spark plug condition and gap on cylinder 1
- Check for ignition spark at cylinder 1 (where safe to do so)
- Verify fuel injector function for cylinder 1 (activation and spray)
Signal parameters
- Expected: a distinct ion-current pulse (or measurable waveform) synchronized to the ignition event for cylinder 1
- Fault condition: signal amplitude near zero or absent during the combustion detection window
- Measurement usually in microamp/current pulses or low-voltage waveform; compare cylinder 1 to other cylinders using an OEM-capable scan tool or oscilloscope
- Signal timing: pulse should occur immediately after ignition event; absence during that window is diagnostic
Diagnostic algorithm
- Retrieve freeze frame and any additional codes; note engine conditions when code set (RPM, load, temp).
- Clear codes and attempt to reproduce with road test while monitoring ion-sense live data for cylinder 1 and comparing to other cylinders.
- Visually inspect wiring, connector and ground for the cylinder 1 coil/ion-sense circuit; repair any damage or corrosion.
- Inspect and, if questionable, replace the spark plug for cylinder 1. Re-test.
- Swap the ignition coil (or coil pack) from cylinder 1 with another known-good cylinder; see if the code follows the coil. If it does, replace coil.
- Check continuity and resistance of ion-sense wiring between the coil/plug (or ion pickup) and the PCM; backprobing may be required per OEM procedure.
- Verify fuel injector operation for cylinder 1 (activation signal and fuel delivery); if injector is faulty, repair/replace and retest.
- Perform compression or leak-down test on cylinder 1 to rule out mechanical cause for absent ionization.
- If wiring, ignition, fuel, and mechanical checks are good, test/replace PCM or ignition driver per OEM diagnostics.
- After repair, erase codes and perform drive cycle to confirm the fault does not return.
Likely causes
- Damaged harness/connector to cylinder 1 coil or ion-sense input
- Failed ignition coil or integrated ignition module on cylinder 1
- Worn, fouled, or damaged spark plug on cylinder 1
- Blown fuse or poor ground affecting the ion-sensing circuit or ignition driver
- Cylinder 1 not firing due to no fuel or very low compression
Fault status
Status
PCM detected ion-current (ion-sense) signal for cylinder 1 below threshold (no measurable ion pulse) during the combustion measurement window.
Repair difficulty: Medium
Diagnostic time: 1.0-3.0 hours
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