P2E61
Serious Severity (Level 4)Alternative Fuel Misfire Detected With Low Fuel
P2E61 usually means alternative Fuel Misfire Detected With Low Fuel.
Can you still drive with P2E61?
⚠️Limited driving — get to a repair shop within 1–2 days. Avoid long trips and highway speeds.
Typical repair cost: $10 – $4000
Severity Level 4 — Serious
This code indicates a serious issue that can cause noticeable driveability problems and potential engine damage if not addressed. The vehicle should be taken to a mechanic as soon as possible. Extended driving is not recommended.
Common Symptoms
- Warning light or malfunction indicator related to the engine misfire detection is illuminated
- Check Engine Light illuminated
- The engine misfire detection is not operating as designed
- Diagnostic trouble code (DTC) stored in module memory
Possible Causes
- Faulty spark plug/coil — most common cause, test before replacing
- Damaged or corroded wiring/connector in the engine misfire detection circuit
- Blown fuse or faulty relay for the engine misfire detection
- Poor ground connection — check and clean all related ground points
- Control module fault — rare but possible, only consider after ruling out simpler causes
Common Fixes
- Scan vehicle with a professional-grade OBD2 scanner to read all stored codes and freeze frame data — note the conditions when the code set ($38-133 at shop, free at auto parts store for basic scan)
- Visually inspect the engine misfire detection wiring harness and connectors — look for chafed wires, melted insulation, green corrosion, loose pins, or rodent damage (often free to check yourself, $76 diagnostic fee at shop)
- Replace spark plug/coil if testing confirms it has failed — use OEM quality, avoid the cheapest no-name aftermarket parts that fail in a year ($10-4000)
- Check and replace any blown fuses in the engine misfire detection fuse circuit — if fuse blows again, there's still a short that needs to be found ($2-15 for fuses)
- Perform a wiggle test on the engine misfire detection wiring harness while monitoring live data — see if the fault returns when you move the harness at different points ($0-133 diagnostic labor)
Estimated Repair Cost
These are estimated costs based on generic repair data. Actual costs may vary depending on your vehicle, location, and labor rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does P2E61 mean?
P2E61 stands for "Alternative Fuel Misfire Detected With Low Fuel". P2E61 usually means alternative Fuel Misfire Detected With Low Fuel.
Can you drive with P2E61?
Limited driving — get to a repair shop within 1–2 days. Avoid long trips and highway speeds.
How much does it cost to fix P2E61?
Repair costs for P2E61 typically range from $10 to $4000, depending on your vehicle make, model, and local labor rates. Common fixes include: Scan vehicle with a professional-grade OBD2 scanner to read all stored codes and freeze frame data — note the conditions when the code set ($38-133 at shop, free at auto parts store for basic scan); Visually inspect the engine misfire detection wiring harness and connectors — look for chafed wires, melted insulation, green corrosion, loose pins, or rodent damage (often free to check yourself, $76 diagnostic fee at shop); Replace spark plug/coil if testing confirms it has failed — use OEM quality, avoid the cheapest no-name aftermarket parts that fail in a year ($10-4000).
Will P2E61 clear itself?
Related Repair Costs
Explore Repair Costs
Related OBD-II Codes
These codes are in the same range as P2E61 and often share similar causes and fixes.
Worried about repair costs?
Get transparent estimates and verify your mechanic's quote before authorizing repairs.
Related Discussions
See what other car owners are saying about this code and related repairs.
View P2E61 discussions in the community