Fuel and air

P0213 — Cold Start Injector 1 Circuit Malfunction

Severity: medium Drive with care, to a shop

What P0213 means

The engine control module monitors the cold start injector 1 circuit and sets this code when the signal is out of range, such as an open, a short to ground or voltage, or a failed injector. This extra injector briefly enriches the mixture on a cold engine to help it start. Not every vehicle has one.

Symptoms

  • Hard or slow starting when the engine is cold
  • Rough idle or stumbling right after startup
  • Check Engine light on
  • Brief loss of power after a cold start
  • Possible misfire
  • Possible higher fuel consumption

Possible causes

  1. Failed cold start injector 1
  2. Open or shorted wiring in the injector circuit
  3. Poor connection or corrosion at the injector or ECM connector
  4. Faulty injector driver inside the ECM (uncommon)
  5. Blown fuse or bad relay in the circuit, if equipped

How to diagnose

  1. Scan all codes and review freeze frame data, noting engine temperature when the fault set
  2. Inspect the injector connector and harness for damage, corrosion, chafing or oil contamination
  3. Measure injector coil resistance and compare with the manufacturer's spec
  4. Check for power and a control signal at the connector during a cold start using a test light or scope
  5. Test the wire to the ECM for opens and shorts to ground or voltage
  6. Check fuel pressure and fuel trim values
  7. Check the circuit fuse and relay, if used
  8. Look for vacuum or intake leaks that could affect the mixture

Common fixes

  • Replace cold start injector 1
  • Repair or replace damaged wiring and connectors
  • Replace a blown fuse or faulty relay
  • Repair or replace the ECM if the driver is confirmed faulty
  • Clear the code and confirm it does not return after a cold start

Questions and answers

What does P0213 mean?

The ECM detected a problem in the cold start injector 1 circuit. The injector itself, its wiring or its connector is the most common culprit.

Can I drive with code P0213?

Usually yes, with caution. Problems mostly show up on cold starts, especially in winter, when the engine may be hard to start.

How do I test a cold start injector?

Measure its coil resistance with a multimeter, then check for power and a control signal at the connector during a cold start. Compare readings with the spec for your vehicle.

This is general information about the code. The meaning can differ between makes and models: a scan tool and the repair manual for your car will show the exact cause.