P02FE
Cold Start Fuel Injection Control Circuit Range/Performance.
- Generic
- Powertrain
- Generic code
- Medium severity
How this code is built
- P
- SystemPowertrain
- 0
- Defined bySAE, the same on every car
- 2
- AreaFuel and air metering (injector circuit)
- FE
- FaultThe specific fault in that area
What it means
P02FE is the generic code for a Cold Start Fuel Injection Control Circuit Range/Performance fault. The engine control unit monitors the circuit or injector used to add fuel during cold starting. It set the code because the electrical signal or the injector's response was outside the expected range. Whether the car has a dedicated cold start injector, and how it works, depends on the model and engine.
Symptoms
- Long cranking or hard starting when the engine is cold
- Rough or unstable idle after a cold start
- Engine management warning light on
- Hesitation or poor running until the engine warms up
- Smell of fuel or black smoke on cold start
- Higher fuel consumption in cold weather
Possible causes
- Damaged, corroded or loose wiring or connector at the cold start injector circuitlikely
- Faulty cold start injector (internal coil fault, sticking or blocked)likely
- Low or unstable fuel supply pressure to the injectorpossible
- Inaccurate coolant temperature signal causing the control unit to command cold start fuelling incorrectlypossible
- Poor power or earth supply to the injector circuit, or low battery voltage when crankingpossible
- Fault in the injector driver within the engine control unitrare
- Outdated control unit software where the manufacturer has issued a known correctionrare
How to diagnose
- Read all stored and pending codes and record the freeze frame data, noting coolant temperature, battery voltage and engine speed when the code set
- Check for related codes, such as coolant temperature sensor, fuel pressure or other injector circuit faults, and deal with those first
- Visually inspect the injector wiring and connector for chafing, corrosion, water ingress, bent pins and poor terminal tension
- Check battery condition and charging voltage, and check the circuit's power and earth supplies
- Compare live coolant temperature with a known cold engine's actual temperature to confirm the sensor reads plausibly
- Measure the injector coil resistance and compare it with the manufacturer's specification for that engine
- Check fuel pressure against specification, and check the injector's drive signal during a cold start using a suitable scope or test light
- Check for manufacturer service bulletins or software updates relevant to the model and engine
How to fix
- Repair or replace damaged wiring, and clean or replace corroded connectors and terminals
- Replace the cold start injector if its resistance, operation or spray is out of specification
- Correct fuel supply problems found, such as a weak pump, a blocked filter or a regulator fault
- Replace the coolant temperature sensor if its reading is inaccurate
- Restore proper power and earth connections and fix any battery or charging faults
- Update the control unit software only if an outdated calibration is a known cause, and replace the control unit only after confirming it is faulty
Can I keep driving?
The car can usually be driven short-term, but get it checked soon as cold starting may worsen and fuel delivery problems could affect running or economy. If it runs very roughly, stalls or smells strongly of fuel, stop driving and have it inspected.
Guide written by AI from the code's definition. Confirm with a diagnosis before replacing parts.