P0213Generic code

P0213 Code: Cold Start Injector 1 Malfunction

The P0213 code means there is a fault in the cold start injector circuit, an extra injector that older engines used to enrich the air-fuel mixture when starting cold. It is a minor problem and you can keep driving, but cold starts will be harder. Modern vehicles do not have this injector.

Severity
Low
Can I keep driving?
Yes, no immediate risk
Estimated cost
$30 to $250
Difficulty
Medium
System
Fuel Injection
Applies to
All OBD2 vehicles

Updated Reviewed by Renzo Chacca

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What the P0213 code means

Some engines from the 1980s and 1990s had an extra injector in the intake manifold that only worked during cold starts. The computer, or a thermal switch, turned it on based on the coolant temperature.

The P0213 code means the computer detected an electrical fault in that injector's circuit. Modern vehicles do not have this injector, so you will only see this code on an older engine.

On the engines that use it, the cold start injector is usually controlled by a timed thermo-time switch screwed into the thermostat housing. With the engine cold, the switch closes the circuit for a few seconds while you crank the engine. With the engine hot, it keeps the circuit open. If the switch stays closed, the injector can flood a hot engine. If it stays open, cold starts will take a long time. Either way, the P0213 code is a good reason to check the switch as well as the injector.

P0213 code symptoms

  • Hard starting when the engine is cold.
  • Check engine light on.
  • Smell of fuel if the injector leaks.

Likely causes of the P0213 code

  1. Cold start injector open or shorted.
  2. Faulty timed thermal switch (thermo-time switch).
  3. Wiring or connector problem.
  4. Bad relay.

How to diagnose the P0213 code step by step

  1. Measure the injector resistance and compare it with the manufacturer's value.
  2. Check the power supply to the injector while cranking a cold engine.
  3. Test the thermo-time switch against temperature. With the engine cold it should show continuity, and with the engine hot it should read an open circuit.
  4. Check whether the injector leaks. Remove it and watch it with fuel pressure applied.

How to fix the P0213 code

  • Repair the wiring.
  • Replace the injector or the thermo-time switch.
  • Clear the code and verify the repair with a cold start.
  • Replace the injector seal when you install it, so no air can get in.

Technical reference data

  • It only works during a cold start.
  • These values are a rough guide, so check the manufacturer's data for your engine.

Brand-specific notes

This code is specific to some older Toyota, Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes models, and modern versions of those brands do not use a cold start injector.

P0213 on Toyota

Some older Toyota engines used a cold start injector.

P0213 on Volkswagen

Some older Volkswagen engines used a cold start injector.

P0213 on BMW

Some older BMW engines used a cold start injector.

P0213 on Mercedes

Some older Mercedes engines used a cold start injector.

Frequently asked questions about P0213

Does my vehicle have a cold start injector?
Only if it is an older model. Modern vehicles do not use one.
Can I drive with a P0213 code?
Yes. The main effect is that the engine is harder to start when cold.
Can the cold start injector leak?
Yes, and a leaking injector would enrich the mixture. Check whether you can smell fuel.
How much does it cost to fix P0213?
Roughly $30 to $250, depending on whether it is the wiring, the thermo-time switch or the injector.
What is the most common cause of P0213?
A cold start injector that is open or shorted, a faulty thermo-time switch, or a wiring or connector problem. Measure the injector resistance and test the switch before you buy parts.
Will a P0213 code clear itself?
Not on its own if the fault is real. The light may go out and come back if the connection is loose, so repair the circuit and then verify it with a cold start.

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