What Does P0316 Mean?
A misfire was detected during the first 1,000 engine revolutions after startup. The PCM monitors combustion quality very closely during cold start because emissions are highest and catalyst light-off is critical. The driver may notice rough running, stumbling, or shaking immediately after starting the engine, which may smooth out once the engine warms up.
Common Causes
30%
Worn or carbon-fouled spark plugs that struggle to ignite a cold, rich mixture
25%
Leaking or dripping fuel injector causing hydro-lock or overly rich condition on cold start
20%
Low compression in one or more cylinders exacerbated by cold engine clearances
15%
Coolant temperature sensor reading incorrectly causing wrong fuel strategy on startup
10%
Weak ignition coil that fails under cold-start high-demand conditions
Diagnostic Steps
1
Review freeze frame data to identify which cylinder(s) misfired on startup and what the coolant temperature was at the time of the fault — this helps determine if the ECT was reporting correctly.
2
With the engine cold, check for fuel injector leakage by removing spark plugs after the car has sat overnight and inspecting for wet/fuel-fouled plugs indicating a dripping injector.
3
Perform a cold compression test before the engine is started: all cylinders should be within 10% of each other, with a minimum of 120 PSI for most gasoline engines.
4
Monitor the ECT sensor reading when cold — it should match ambient temperature within a few degrees. Compare the ECT PID to an infrared thermometer reading on the engine block.
5
Check ignition coil primary and secondary resistance against specs when cold. Many coils fail when cold and then work once warmed up.
Estimated Repair Cost
$100 - $700
Parts + labor, varies by vehicle and location
A misfire was detected during the first 1,000 engine revolutions after startup. The PCM monitors combustion quality very closely during cold start because emissions are highest and catalyst light-off is critical. The driver may notice rough running, stumbling, or shaking immediately after starting t...
The most common cause of P0316 (Misfire Detected On Startup (First 1000 Revolutions)) is: Worn or carbon-fouled spark plugs that struggle to ignite a cold, rich mixture
Typical repair costs for P0316 range from $100 to $700, depending on the vehicle, location, and whether you do it yourself or go to a shop.
Generally safe to drive as the misfire typically resolves once the engine warms up. However, repeated cold-start misfires will accelerate catalytic converter degradation due to raw fuel reaching the catalyst. If the MIL is flashing during startup, avoid heavy acceleration until it stops flashing.
Start by connecting an OBD2 scanner to read the code and any freeze frame data. Then follow the diagnostic steps specific to P0316 to identify the root cause.
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Quick Info
Category
Powertrain
System
Ignition / Fuel System
Difficulty
Type
Generic (SAE)
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