P0213
Cold Start Injector 1 MalfunctionP0213 is a generic OBD-II powertrain diagnostic trouble code: Cold Start Injector 1 Malfunction. It is logged by the engine control unit when the fuel/inj monitor detects that a specific fault threshold has been exceeded — typically resulting in the malfunction-indicator lamp (MIL / check-engine light) being illuminated.
What P0213 means
P0213 indicates that the powertrain control module (PCM) has detected a fault in the circuit driving cold start injector number one. Cold start injectors are a legacy feature found primarily on older Toyota, Nissan, and Mitsubishi engines from the 1980s and 1990s: a single additional fuel injector mounted at the intake plenum that fires only during cold cranking to enrich the air-fuel mixture and aid starting in low-temperature conditions. The injector is controlled by a thermo-time switch — a bimetallic device that limits injection pulse duration based on coolant temperature, preventing over-fueling once the engine is warm.
The code is triggered when the PCM detects an open circuit, short to ground, or short to power in the cold start injector 1 control circuit, or measures an injector coil resistance outside the expected range. Because the system is electrically simple (injector coil, wiring harness, thermo-time switch, and PCM driver), faults are almost always electrical rather than mechanical.
Most modern engines no longer use dedicated cold start injectors; extended main-injector pulse width on sequential port or direct injection systems has replaced the function entirely. Consequently, P0213 is encountered almost exclusively on vehicles over 20 years old. The MIL will illuminate and cold-start performance may be noticeably degraded, but the vehicle typically remains drivable once the engine reaches operating temperature.
Common causes
Most-frequently reported root causes when P0213 is logged.
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1
Open circuit in the cold start injector 1 wiring harness or connector
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2
Short to ground or short to power in the injector control circuit
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3
Failed cold start injector coil (open or shorted winding)
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4
Faulty thermo-time switch that controls injector duration during cold crank
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5
Corroded or loose electrical connector at the injector body
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6
Damaged PCM driver transistor for the cold start injector output
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7
Rodent damage to wiring in the engine bay
Symptoms drivers notice
How to diagnose P0213
A typical diagnostic flow when this code is present.
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1
Connect an OBD-II scanner, record all stored codes, and note freeze-frame data to confirm the fault occurred during cold-start conditions.
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2
Inspect the cold start injector wiring harness and connector for damage, corrosion, melted insulation, or rodent chewing.
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3
Measure cold start injector coil resistance with a multimeter; compare against the manufacturer specification (typically 2–4 Ω for low-impedance or 12–16 Ω for high-impedance coils).
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4
With the ignition on (engine cold), back-probe the injector connector and verify the PCM provides a ground signal during cranking using a test light or DMM.
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5
Test the thermo-time switch continuity when coolant is cold (contacts should be closed below ~35 °C) and open when warm.
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6
Repair or replace any damaged wiring and connectors; clear codes and perform a cold-start retest.
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7
If wiring and switch test good, replace the cold start injector and retest.
Related powertrain codes
- P0065 — Air Assisted Injector Control Range/Performance
- P0066 — Air Assisted Injector Control Circuit or Circuit Low
- P0067 — Air Assisted Injector Control Circuit High
- P0087 — Fuel Rail/System Pressure - Too Low
- P0088 — Fuel Rail/System Pressure - Too High
- P0089 — Fuel Pressure Regulator 1 Performance
Frequently asked questions
What vehicles are most likely to have a P0213 code?
P0213 is almost exclusively seen on older Toyota (4A-GE, 22R-E), Nissan (Z-series, CA-series), and Mitsubishi engines produced roughly between 1985 and 1998 that use a dedicated cold start injector. Most vehicles built after the late 1990s do not have this system.
Can I drive the car with a P0213 code?
The vehicle is generally drivable once the engine is warm; the cold start injector only operates during cold cranking. However, you may experience extended crank times or rough running in cold weather, and the MIL will remain on until the fault is repaired.
Is P0213 the same as a misfire code?
No. P0213 is a circuit fault on the cold start injector, not a cylinder-specific misfire. If you also have misfire codes (P0300–P0308), those should be diagnosed separately as they involve the main fuel injectors or ignition system.
How do I know if the thermo-time switch has failed?
Remove the thermo-time switch and test with a multimeter: the switch contacts should be closed (low resistance) when the switch is cold (below approximately 35 °C) and open when hot. A switch that is always open will prevent the cold start injector from firing; one that is always closed will cause over-fueling and flooding on warm starts.
Disabling P0213 in software
RaceTune can permanently disable P0213 — and any other OBD-II diagnostic trouble code — on every ECU family we support. The monitor is disabled inside the ECU itself, so the fault stops being logged: the warning light stays off and the engine never enters limp mode for this code. The change is tied to your exact software version.
Software modifications affect emissions compliance and are not road-legal in many jurisdictions. RaceTune service files are intended for motorsport, off-road, and export use.
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