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

Is your scanner showing P0316?
No worries. We'll show you what it means and how to deal with it.

Presented by

Randy Worner

00:00/00:00

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

OVERVIEW

Severity

High

DIY Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Repair Cost

$200-$400

Can I Still Drive?

What Does The P0316 Code Mean?

This P0316 code means the powertrain control module (PCM) has detected a misfire shortly after startup, specifically within the first 1,000 revolutions.

This code may also be triggered with another of the other misfire codes which are P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304, P0305, P0306, P0307, P0308, P0309, P0310, P0311, P0312. If you have another misfire trouble code also, you should diagnose and repair that code(s) first.

What Are The Symptoms Of The P0316 Code?

Symptoms of a P0316 DTC may include:

MIL (Malfunction indicator lamp) illumination
Rough engine start or idle

What Are The Potential Causes Of The P0316 Code?

Potential causes of this misfire code may include:

Damaged or defective Crankshaft Position Sensor (CKP)
CKP sensor wiring or connector fault
Poor fuel quality
Ran out of fuel
Ignition system malfunction
Fuel system malfunction: injector or fuel pump
Mechanical engine problem
Damaged PCM

How Can You Fix The P0316 Code?

First off, you’ll want to repair any other misfire DTC codes if present prior to diagnosing this code. If you own a Ford vehicle and you have a P0316 along with one of the other misfire codes, you should check for appropriate TSBs (technical service bulletins), as there are some TSBs that in part involve reprogramming the PCM.

Doing that requires specialized equipment. Some Ford vehicles even needed a new cylinder head as a result of the valve. Regardless, if you have a Ford with multiple misfire codes including this one, check for TSBs.

If the P0316 is the only code, then it’s time to do a bit more diagnosing of the crankshaft and camshaft position sensors, and their associated connectors and wiring.

A tip we’ve found is “Since this code indicates a start up misfire, pay attention to items which may expand or contract when cold (if the code sets when the engine is cold), or hot (if the code sets on a hot restart).”

Realistically, the freeze frame data from the PCM will be helpful in tracking down the problem. As will a good DVOM (digital volt-ohm meter), so you can perform tests on the wiring and the sensors.