Worn or fouled spark plugs, or incorrect plug gap; Faulty ignition coil or coil pack, or a damaged coil connector; Faulty or leaking fuel injector causing a poor start-up fuel mixture; Vacuum leak or intake air leak affecting the cold mixture; Faulty coolant temperature sensor giving wrong cold-start fuelling; Low fuel pressure, such as a weak pump or a fuel pressure regulator fault; Low compression or a valve train problem on one cylinder, such as a worn valve seat or a timing fault.

P0316

Engine Misfire Detected on Startup (First 1000 Revolutions).

Generic
Powertrain
Generic code
Medium severity

How this code is built

P: SystemPowertrain
0: Defined bySAE, the same on every car
3: AreaIgnition system or misfire
16: FaultThe specific fault in that area

What it means

P0316 is the generic code for an engine misfire detected during the first 1000 revolutions after startup. The engine control unit monitors crankshaft speed variations through the crankshaft position sensor and saw one or more cylinders fail to fire properly shortly after the engine started. The fault is often linked to cold-start conditions, but the exact cause depends on the engine and model.

Symptoms

Rough or shaky idle straight after a cold start
Engine management warning light on, possibly flashing during a misfire
Hesitation or stumbling when pulling away from cold
Smell of unburnt fuel from the exhaust at startup
Longer cranking or hard starting
Misfire may clear once the engine warms up

Possible causes

Worn or fouled spark plugs, or incorrect plug gaplikely
Faulty ignition coil or coil pack, or a damaged coil connectorlikely
Faulty or leaking fuel injector causing a poor start-up fuel mixturepossible
Vacuum leak or intake air leak affecting the cold mixturepossible
Faulty coolant temperature sensor giving wrong cold-start fuellingpossible
Low fuel pressure, such as a weak pump or a fuel pressure regulator faultpossible
Low compression or a valve train problem on one cylinder, such as a worn valve seat or a timing faultrare

How to diagnose

Read all stored and pending codes and the freeze frame data, noting engine temperature, load and which cylinder is flagged if a P030x code is also present
Check the misfire counters in live data from a cold start and see whether they are confined to one cylinder or spread across several
Visually inspect the ignition coil connectors, wiring and the coil boots for damage, moisture or cracking
Remove and inspect the spark plugs for wear, deposits, oil or fuel fouling and check the gap against the manufacturer specification
Swap a suspect coil with a neighbouring cylinder and see whether the misfire follows it
Check for intake leaks and cracked hoses, and compare the coolant temperature sensor reading with the actual engine temperature when cold
Test fuel pressure and injector operation, using the procedure for that engine
Carry out a compression or leak-down test if the ignition and fuel systems check out

How to fix

Replace worn or fouled spark plugs with the correct type and set the gap to specification
Replace any faulty ignition coil and repair damaged connectors or wiring
Replace or professionally clean and test a faulty injector
Repair intake leaks and replace cracked or perished vacuum hoses
Replace a coolant temperature sensor that reads inaccurately
Repair the fuel supply fault, such as the pump or pressure regulator, or carry out the mechanical repair indicated by the compression test

Can I keep driving?

Medium severity

Short, gentle journeys are usually possible, but get it checked soon. If the warning light flashes, reduce load and avoid driving, as raw fuel can overheat and damage the catalytic converter.

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