Damaged, corroded or loose wiring or connector at the cold start injector; Faulty cold start injector (open or shorted coil, or mechanically stuck); Faulty cold start injector relay or its supply fuse; Faulty temperature sensor or thermo-time switch that controls the injector; Open or short circuit in the harness between the injector and the control unit; Fault in the injector driver inside the engine control unit.

P0214

Cold Start Injector 2.

Generic
Powertrain
Generic code
Low severity

How this code is built

P: SystemPowertrain
0: Defined bySAE, the same on every car
2: AreaFuel and air metering (injector circuit)
14: FaultThe specific fault in that area

What it means

P0214 is the generic SAE J2012 code for a fault in the Cold Start Injector 2 circuit. The engine control unit monitors the injector's control circuit and sets the code when the electrical signal or current is not what it expects, for example an open circuit, a short or a driver fault. Many modern engines have no separate cold start injector, so whether and how this code applies depends on the model and engine.

Symptoms

Hard starting or long cranking when the engine is cold
Rough idle or stumbling just after a cold start
Engine management warning light on
Black smoke or a strong fuel smell on cold starts if the injector is stuck open
Poor cold running that clears once the engine warms up

Possible causes

Damaged, corroded or loose wiring or connector at the cold start injectorlikely
Faulty cold start injector (open or shorted coil, or mechanically stuck)likely
Faulty cold start injector relay or its supply fusepossible
Faulty temperature sensor or thermo-time switch that controls the injectorpossible
Open or short circuit in the harness between the injector and the control unitpossible
Fault in the injector driver inside the engine control unitrare

How to diagnose

Read the stored codes and freeze frame data, noting engine temperature and conditions when the code set, and check for any other related codes
Check the relevant service information to confirm how Cold Start Injector 2 is fitted and controlled on this model and engine
Visually inspect the injector, its connector and the surrounding harness for damage, corrosion, fuel contamination or chafing
Check the fuse and relay feeding the injector circuit and confirm the relay operates correctly
Measure the injector coil resistance and compare it with the manufacturer's specification
With the connector disconnected, check the supply, earth and control signal at the plug during a cold start, following the wiring diagram
Check the coolant or intake temperature sensor readings are plausible, as they influence cold start operation
Test the harness for continuity and for shorts to earth or supply between the injector and the control unit

How to fix

Repair or replace damaged wiring and clean or renew corroded connectors
Replace the cold start injector if its resistance is out of specification or it is leaking or stuck
Replace a faulty relay or blown fuse, and find out why it failed
Replace a faulty temperature sensor or switch that controls the injector
Repair the open or shorted harness section between the injector and the control unit
If all external circuits test good, have the control unit driver checked and repaired or replaced according to the manufacturer's procedure

Can I keep driving?

Low severity

The car can usually be driven, but cold starting may be poor, so book it in soon. If you notice a fuel leak or strong fuel smell, stop driving and have it checked straight away.

Guide written by AI from the code's definition. Confirm with a diagnosis before replacing parts.