P0316: Engine Misfire Detected on Startup (First 1000 Revolutions)

What Does P0316 Mean?

Code P0316 is a generic OBD-II code that indicates misfires were detected during the first 1000 crankshaft revolutions after engine start. While most commonly seen on Ford vehicles, it can appear on any OBD-II compliant vehicle. This code is significant because cold-start misfires can indicate problems that are masked once the engine reaches operating temperature, such as leaking fuel injectors or weak ignition components that work when warm but fail when cold.

Common Causes

• Worn spark plugs with wider gap when cold
• Weak ignition coil that fails under cold conditions
• Leaking fuel injector causing a rich condition on one cylinder
• Low fuel pressure during startup
• Intake manifold gasket leak that seals when engine heats up

Symptoms

• Check engine light on
• Rough or shaky start-up that smooths out after warming up
• Slight stumble during first few seconds of running
• Higher emissions during cold start
• Companion misfire codes (P0301-P0308)

Diagnostic Steps

1. 1Check for companion cylinder-specific misfire codes
2. 2Inspect all spark plugs for wear and proper gap
3. 3Test ignition coils for resistance and output when cold
4. 4Perform a fuel pressure test during cold start cranking
5. 5Check for fuel injector leak-down by removing spark plugs after overnight sit and looking for wet cylinders
6. 6Monitor short-term fuel trims immediately after cold start

Estimated Repair Cost

Frequently Asked Questions