P0316 – Misfire Detected on Startup (First 1000 Revolutions) means the engine control unit has detected a misfire immediately after starting the engine. This usually happens within the first few seconds of operation and may be caused by ignition problems, fuel delivery issues, cold-start conditions, weak battery voltage, or moisture inside ignition components. Early misfires can create hesitation, rough idle, and increased emissions. This guide explains what P0316 means, the symptoms, causes, diagnosis steps, and the best repair options to fix startup misfires properly.
What Does P0316 Mean?
P0316 is a generic OBD-II powertrain code indicating a misfire occurred during initial startup—specifically within the first 1,000 crankshaft revolutions. During this period, the ECU closely monitors combustion stability to ensure proper fuel delivery and ignition performance. When a misfire is detected early in the warm-up cycle, the ECU stores P0316 along with any related cylinder-specific misfire codes.
This code often appears alongside P0300–P0312, but it can also appear alone if the misfire is too brief or inconsistent for the ECU to assign to a specific cylinder.
Quick Reference
- OBD-II Family: P-Code (Powertrain)
- Scope: Generic
- System: Ignition / Fuel / Air / Cold Start Management
- Difficulty Level: Moderate
- Estimated Repair Cost: €50–€450+
- Last Updated: 7 December 2025
Real-World Example / Field Notes
A sedan arrived with rough idle only during cold starts. The engine smoothed out after 10–15 seconds, but P0316 kept returning. Inspection showed moisture inside one ignition coil boot due to a leaking valve cover gasket. After replacing the gasket and the affected coil, the misfire disappeared and the code stayed cleared.
Another case involved a truck with P0316 but no other misfire codes. Fuel pressure testing showed the fuel pump losing residual pressure overnight, causing lean startup. Replacing the fuel pump and check valve solved the issue.
Symptoms of P0316 – Misfire Detected on Startup
- Rough idle at startup: Engine shakes until it stabilizes.
- Hesitation or stumbling: Especially in the first few seconds after ignition.
- Hard starting: Longer crank time or inconsistent firing.
- Poor acceleration when cold: Brief hesitation during early driving.
- Check engine light: May appear alone or with misfire codes.
- Fuel smell: Unburned fuel from incomplete combustion.
Common Causes of P0316
Most Common Causes
- Worn or fouled spark plugs
- Faulty ignition coil or coil boot moisture
- Fuel system losing pressure overnight
- Dirty or sticking fuel injectors
- Weak battery causing low crank voltage
Less Common Causes
- Vacuum leaks affecting cold-start air-fuel ratio
- Dirty or failing mass airflow (MAF) sensor
- Engine coolant temperature sensor sending incorrect cold-start data
- Low compression when cold (valve sealing issues)
- PCM failing to adapt cold-start fuel trims (rare)
Diagnosis: Step-By-Step Guide
Because P0316 occurs only at startup, diagnosis must focus on ignition, fuel pressure retention, cold-start enrichment, and electrical stability.
Tools You’ll Need
OBD-II scan tool with misfire counters, fuel pressure gauge, spark tester, multimeter, smoke machine, and basic hand tools.
- Check freeze-frame data: Look at coolant temp, fuel trims, RPM, and battery voltage at the moment of misfire.
- Inspect spark plugs: Check for carbon buildup, oil fouling, or worn electrodes.
- Test ignition coils: Swap coils between cylinders to identify intermittent faults.
- Check for moisture: Look for water or oil inside coil boots or plug wells.
- Perform fuel pressure leak-down test: Fuel pressure dropping quickly overnight indicates pump or check valve issues.
- Clean or test fuel injectors: Sticking injectors cause lean startup.
- Test battery and charging system: Low voltage during cranking can trigger startup misfires.
- Smoke-test for vacuum leaks: Early misfires often come from unmetered air entering the intake.
- Check MAF sensor: Clean or replace if readings are inaccurate during startup.
- Perform compression test: Cold compression loss may identify valve sealing issues.
Pro Tip: If P0316 only appears during cold, damp mornings, check for moisture intrusion around coils and connectors—one of the most overlooked causes of startup misfires.
Possible Fixes & Repair Costs
- Replace spark plugs: €20–€80
- Replace ignition coil: €50–€120
- Repair fuel pressure leak-down (pump/check valve): €150–€350+
- Clean or replace fuel injectors: €100–€250
- Repair vacuum leaks: €50–€150
- Replace battery: €80–€180
- Clean or replace MAF sensor: €20–€150
Can I Still Drive With P0316?
Yes, but only if the misfire is brief and the vehicle runs normally afterward. Continuous startup misfires can damage the catalytic converter and worsen over time. If the engine runs rough for more than a few seconds or if additional misfire codes appear, avoid driving until the issue is diagnosed.
Related Codes
- P0399 – Ignition Coil “R” Primary/Secondary Circuit
- P0364 – Reserved
- P0363 – Misfire Detected Fueling Disabled
- P0362 – Ignition Coil “L” Primary/Secondary Circuit
- P0361 – Ignition Coil “K” Primary/Secondary Circuit
- P0360 – Ignition Coil “J” Primary/Secondary Circuit
- P0359 – Ignition Coil “I” Primary/Secondary Circuit
- P0358 – Ignition Coil “H” Primary/Secondary Circuit
- P0357 – Ignition Coil “G” Primary/Secondary Circuit
- P0356 – Ignition Coil “F” Primary/Secondary Circuit
Key Takeaways
- P0316 indicates a misfire during the first 1,000 engine revolutions.
- Cold-start conditions often reveal ignition or fuel pressure problems.
- Weak batteries, fuel leak-down, and moisture inside coils are common causes.
- Early diagnosis prevents catalytic converter damage.
FAQ
Why does P0316 only occur at startup?
Startup conditions place extra load on ignition and fuel systems, and any weakness becomes apparent before the ECU adapts fuel trims.
Can a weak battery trigger P0316?
Yes. Low voltage during cranking reduces spark energy and can cause early misfires.
Do I need to replace coils if only one startup misfire happened?
Not necessarily. Test the coils by swapping them between cylinders to confirm a fault.
Can bad fuel cause P0316?
Yes. Contaminated or stale fuel can cause lean startup misfires.
Will P0316 clear itself?
It may clear temporarily, but if the underlying issue persists, the code will return. Proper diagnosis is recommended.