CAT Engine 116 Fault Code: Cylinder #11 Injector : Current Above Normal
Also called Cylinder #11 Injector : Current Below Normal, Cylinder #11 Injector Current Above Normal, Cylinder #11 Injector Short, Cylinder #11 Injector current above normal, Cylinder #11 Injector short, Cylinder #11 Injector:Current Above Normal, Injector Cylinder 11 Short, Injector Cylinder 11 short
Cylinder #11 Injector : Current Above Normal · ai-assisted, editor-reviewed · Last updated 2026-07-13
TL;DR
CAT code 116 (SPN 11 / FMI 6) means the ECM detected abnormal current, either too high (short) or too low, in the cylinder #11 injector solenoid circuit on C15, C175, C27, and C32 engines. The ECM will disable and periodically retry the solenoid circuit if a short persists, which can cause a miss, rough running, or power loss on that cylinder until the wiring, connector, injector, or ECM issue is fixed.
High severity. The engine can keep running since the ECM works around the fault by retrying the injector, but a persistent short or open on cylinder #11 means that cylinder is misfiring or dead, which hurts power, fuel economy, and can load up other cylinders. Diagnose before running under heavy load for extended periods.
What does CAT Engine error code 116 mean?
CAT engines with Electronic Unit Injectors (EUI) use two solenoids per injector, and the ECM fires each one with a 105 volt pulse timed and shaped for the current load and speed. The ECM also watches current flow through each solenoid circuit as part of normal operation.
Code 116 sets when that monitored current is abnormal for cylinder #11's injector: either too low, which points to a weak connection or open-type problem, or too high, which points to a short circuit. On low current, the ECM just keeps trying to fire the injector. On high current (a short), the ECM disables that solenoid circuit to prevent damage, then periodically tries firing it again. If the short is still there, this disable-and-retry cycle repeats until the problem is actually fixed.
This is a per-cylinder injector circuit fault, not a general fuel system fault, so the wiring, connector, or injector for cylinder #11 specifically is the first place to look.
Common causes of 116
- Damaged, corroded, or loose connectors or wiring in the injector circuit for cylinder #11
- Faulty wiring harness, including the section between the ECM and the valve cover base, or the harness under the valve cover
- Faulty or worn injector solenoid on cylinder #11
- Intermittent wiring or connector problem that only shows up under engine vibration or heavy load
- Faulty ECM
How to troubleshoot CAT Engine 116: first checks
- Let the engine reach normal operating temperature before testing, since injector solenoid problems typically show up once the engine is warmed up and under load or vibration
- Inspect the wiring and connectors for cylinder #11's injector circuit closely, including where the harness runs from the ECM to the valve cover base and under the valve cover, looking for chafing, corrosion, or loose pins
- Wiggle-test the harness and connectors while watching for the code to reset, since problems that only appear under vibration are common with this fault
- Check the injector solenoid itself for continuity and resistance issues once wiring and connectors are ruled out
- If wiring, connectors, and the injector all check out, consider the ECM as the last suspect, since it can also cause this code
How the code clears
No separate clearing step is listed. The ECM logs the code when it detects the short or low-current condition, and it will automatically keep retrying the injector solenoid circuit. Once the underlying wiring, connector, injector, or ECM issue is repaired, the code should stop being active; a diagnostic tool can be used to confirm the fault is no longer logging.
Affected models and serial ranges
116 appears in our records across 4 CAT Engine models. Match your machine by model and serial number.
| Model | Serial ranges |
|---|---|
| C15 | Serial range not listed in source records |
| C175 | Serial range not listed in source records |
| C27 | Serial range not listed in source records |
| C32 | Serial range not listed in source records |
Frequently asked questions
What does CAT fault code 116 mean?
It means the ECM detected abnormal current, either too high or too low, in the injector solenoid circuit for cylinder #11 on engines like the C15, C175, C27, or C32. High current triggers a short-circuit response where the ECM disables and periodically retries that solenoid.
Can I keep running the engine with code 116 active?
The ECM is designed to keep trying to fire the injector, so the engine often keeps running, but cylinder #11 may be misfiring or not firing at all. Running for extended periods under heavy load with this unresolved isn't a good idea since it stresses the ECM's retry cycle and hurts performance.
Why does this fault only show up sometimes?
Injector solenoid wiring and connector problems commonly appear only when the engine is warmed up or under vibration from heavy loads. That is why a wiggle test with the engine at normal operating temperature is part of the standard check.
What is the injector solenoid voltage on these engines?
The ECM sends 105 volt pulses to each injector solenoid, timed and sized for the current engine load and speed.
Is code 116 caused by a bad injector or bad wiring?
It can be either. Documented causes include damaged connectors or wiring, a faulty harness (including between the ECM and valve cover base, or under the valve cover), a faulty injector solenoid, or in some cases a faulty ECM.
Does code 116 always mean I need a new injector?
Not necessarily. Wiring and connector problems are listed as causes just as often as a faulty injector, so those should be checked first before replacing the injector.