Code
P1213
LINCOLN
P — Powertrain
Start Injector Circuit Malfunction
Views:
UK: 18
EN: 41
RU: 19
AI status
Completed
Completed
100%
Causes
- Open or shorted wiring in the start injector circuit
- Corroded/loose connector or poor pin contact at the start injector
- Blown fuse or faulty relay supplying the start injector
- Faulty start (cold‑start) injector coil
- Poor or missing ground for the injector circuit
- Intermittent wiring damage (chafing, pinched harness)
Symptoms
- Illumination of MIL (check engine light)
- Hard or extended cranking and poor cold start performance
- Rough idle or misfire after cold start
- Increased hydrocarbon emissions during warm‑up
- Fault may be intermittent (codes return under certain conditions)
What to check
- Read PCM for stored P1213, freeze frame and related codes (injector or battery voltage codes)
- Verify battery state of charge and charging system (12.4–12.8 V resting; 13.5–14.7 V charging)
- Visual inspection of start injector connector, wiring harness, and nearby grommets for damage, corrosion or loose pins
- Check fuse(s) and relay(s) for the start injector/fuel system circuit
- Back‑probe the start injector connector during cranking: verify battery supply voltage and PCM driver signal
- Measure injector coil resistance with multimeter (cold, connector unplugged)
Signal parameters
- Battery supply to injector: ~12 V (cranking) — should be present at connector power pin when commanded
- Injector coil resistance (typical start injector): often low — commonly ~1–5 ohms (consult vehicle-specific spec)
- PCM driver: switched to ground or pulse (verify with scope) — duty cycle/pulse width varies with strategy
- No significant voltage drop between battery positive and injector supply when commanded (voltage drop should be minimal)
Diagnostic algorithm
- Confirm code and record freeze frame/conditions. Check for related codes (P0200–P0208, voltage/ground faults).
- Verify good battery and charging system. Low battery voltage can cause spurious injector circuit codes.
- Visually inspect the start injector connector, pin condition and harness for heat, corrosion, or mechanical damage.
- Check fuses and relays that supply the injector circuit; replace if faulty.
- With ignition OFF, unplug the injector and measure coil resistance between the injector pins. Compare to vehicle spec. Replace injector if out of range or open/shorted.
- With backprobe and a safe method, crank engine and measure voltage at the injector power pin — should be battery voltage. Measure PCM driver pin for pulsed/ground signal when cranking.
- Perform a voltage drop test between battery positive and injector supply, and between injector ground and chassis with the injector commanded. Excessive drop indicates connector/wiring/high resistance.
- Wiggle harness/connectors while monitoring injector supply/driver signal to find intermittent faults. Repair or replace damaged sections.
- If wiring and injector check good, trace continuity from injector connector to PCM; check for short to power/ground or open circuits. Repair wiring as needed.
- If wiring and injector are good and proper drive signals still not present, consider PCM driver fault — verify with manufacturer procedures before replacing PCM.
- Clear codes and perform a cold start to confirm repair; monitor for recurrence.
Likely causes
- Corroded connector at the start injector or at the main harness splice
- Broken or shorted wire between PCM and start injector (rodent damage, chafe)
- Failed start injector coil (open or shorted)
- Blown fuse or bad starter/secondary fuel relay
- Weak battery or low system voltage during cranking causing fault detection
Fault status
Status
PCM detected a malfunction in the start/cold‑start injector circuit (open/short/intermittent). Check wiring, connector, fuse/relay and injector; may require PCM testing if harness and injector are good.
Repair difficulty: Medium
Diagnostic time: 1.0-2.5 hours
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