P0316: Misfire detected on start-up (first 1000 revolutions)

What P0316 means

The ECU pays special attention to the first 1000 revolutions after the engine starts, which is only a few seconds. During that window it has detected misfires. It is a sensitive moment because the engine is cold and the mixture is richer, so any weak point in the ignition or fuel system shows up more.

Most common causes

• Worn or fouled spark plugs (on petrol engines)
• Weak or damp ignition coils, especially on cold or wet days
• Injector dripping while the engine is off and flooding a cylinder
• Fuel pressure bleeding off at rest through the pump check valve or an injector
• Coolant temperature sensor giving a false reading that upsets the mixture
• Poor quality fuel or low compression in a cylinder

Symptoms

• Engine shakes or pops just after starting
• Long cranking or several attempts to start
• Engine warning light on
• Fuel smell on cold starts

Can you drive with P0316?

Yes, no rush If the engine runs smoothly once started, you can drive normally and have it checked soon. If the misfires carry on while driving or the light flashes, stop and get it to a workshop.

How to check it

Note whether it happens mostly when cold, in damp weather or after standing for hours, as this helps the workshop a lot. With the engine cold, the reader should show a coolant temperature close to the outside air temperature.

How to read and clear P0316 with Final OBD

Plug an OBD2 scanner in under the steering wheel, switch the ignition on and open Final OBD. Under Faults you’ll see P0316 with this same explanation and whether it’s confirmed, pending or permanent.

With Free you read this code with its short description for nothing, and clear it if the engine stores it over standard OBD. With Pro you get the full explanation, how the car was running when it was logged (revs, temperature, load) and clearing in every control unit.

Clearing the code only turns the light off: if the cause is still there, it comes back. Clear it once it’s fixed, and not right before the ITV. It’s all in how to read and clear fault codes and in the ITV and OBD.

Similar codes

• P0306 Misfire detected in cylinder 6
• P0307 Misfire detected in cylinder 7
• P0308 Misfire detected in cylinder 8
• P0313 Misfire detected with low fuel level
• P0320 Engine speed input (ignition or distributor): circuit fault
• P0321 Ignition or distributor engine speed signal out of range
• P0322 No ignition or distributor engine speed signal
• P0325 Knock sensor 1 circuit fault (bank 1 or single sensor)
• P0300 Random or multiple cylinder misfire
• P0301 Misfire detected in cylinder 1
• P0302 Misfire detected in cylinder 2
• P0303 Misfire detected in cylinder 3

P0316 is a generic code, so it means the same on any make, for example on Audi, Fiat, Mazda, Peugeot, Toyota, Volkswagen. See what Final OBD does on your car in makes and models.