P0214
Cold Start Injector 2 MalfunctionP0214 is a generic OBD-II powertrain diagnostic trouble code: Cold Start Injector 2 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 P0214 means
P0214 is set when the powertrain control module (PCM) detects a fault in the circuit controlling cold start injector number two. Like P0213, this code applies to a legacy fuel-delivery feature found on older port-injected engines from the 1980s and early 1990s — primarily Toyota, Nissan, and Mitsubishi — where a supplemental injector mounted at the intake plenum provided extra fuel enrichment during cold cranking. On systems with two cold start injectors, injector 1 and injector 2 serve the same function but are monitored as separate circuits.
The PCM detects the fault by monitoring coil resistance and the electrical response of the injector drive circuit. An open-circuit fault (broken wire, disconnected connector, or failed coil) or a short circuit will trigger P0214. The thermo-time switch, which limits how long the injectors fire based on coolant temperature, is part of the circuit and can also be responsible for setting this code if it fails electrically.
Because cold start injector systems were phased out in favour of adaptive fuel trim and extended main-injector pulse width strategies, P0214 is rarely seen on modern vehicles. Drivability impact is confined to cold-start conditions; once the engine reaches operating temperature the MIL remains on but driveability is generally unaffected.
Common causes
Most-frequently reported root causes when P0214 is logged.
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1
Open circuit in the cold start injector 2 wiring harness or connector
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2
Short to ground or short to power in the injector 2 control circuit
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3
Failed cold start injector coil (open or shorted winding) on injector 2
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4
Faulty thermo-time switch controlling injector pulse duration
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5
Corroded or loose electrical connector at the injector 2 body
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6
Damaged PCM output driver for the cold start injector 2 channel
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7
Chafed or broken wire between the PCM and the injector
Symptoms drivers notice
How to diagnose P0214
A typical diagnostic flow when this code is present.
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1
Connect an OBD-II scanner, record all active and pending codes, and review freeze-frame data to confirm the fault is linked to cold-start conditions.
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2
Visually inspect the cold start injector 2 wiring, harness routing, and connector for corrosion, damage, or loose terminals.
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3
Measure injector coil resistance with a multimeter; an open reading or a reading well outside the manufacturer specification indicates a failed injector.
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4
Back-probe the injector connector with the engine cold and cranking to confirm the PCM is providing a ground drive signal during the expected crank window.
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5
Test the thermo-time switch: contacts should show continuity when cold and be open when the coolant is above the switch's cut-off temperature.
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6
Repair any identified wiring or connector faults, clear codes, and perform a cold-start verification drive.
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7
Replace the cold start injector if the coil tests out of specification and all wiring checks pass.
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 is the difference between P0213 and P0214?
P0213 refers to a circuit fault on cold start injector 1 and P0214 refers to cold start injector 2. On systems with two cold start injectors, both are monitored individually. The diagnosis procedure is identical; only the injector and its wiring circuit differ.
Can P0214 cause the engine not to start at all?
Rarely. The cold start injector is a supplemental enrichment device, not the primary fuel source. A failed cold start injector 2 will degrade cold-start performance — longer crank times, rough idle — but the main fuel injectors will still operate and the engine will usually start, especially in moderate temperatures.
My vehicle is over 20 years old and runs fine when warm. Is P0214 worth fixing?
If cold-start performance is acceptable and you are not concerned about emissions testing, the functional impact is low on a warm-climate vehicle. However, in cold climates the missing cold-start enrichment can cause hard starting and catalyst damage from excessive cranking, so repair is advisable.
Can a clogged cold start injector trigger P0214?
A mechanically clogged injector that still has an intact coil winding will not set P0214 because the PCM detects the electrical circuit, not fuel flow. A clogged injector may cause a rich or lean cold-start symptom without a stored code. P0214 is specifically an electrical circuit fault.
Disabling P0214 in software
RaceTune can permanently disable P0214 — 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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