OBD-II Code P0214 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

P0214 means the ECM has found a fault in the cold start injector 2 circuit. Some older V-type engines have two cold start injectors — one for each bank. This code points to a problem with the second one. You may experience hard cold starts, rough idle after startup in cold weather, or prolonged cranking before the engine fires.

Affected Models

Older Nissan V6/V8 engines
Some classic Toyota V6 models
Early Lexus V8 models
Older Mitsubishi V6 vehicles
Some classic European V8 vehicles

Common Causes

Cold start injector 2 solenoid coil has failed (open or shorted)
Wiring harness to cold start injector 2 is damaged or corroded
Electrical connector at the cold start injector 2 is loose or corroded
Cold start timer switch (thermo-time switch) is faulty and not signaling properly
ECM output driver for cold start injector 2 has failed internally

How to Fix It

First confirm your vehicle has two cold start injectors. This is only common on older V6 or V8 engines where each bank has its own cold start injector. Check your repair manual.

Most cars made after the mid-1990s do not have any cold start injectors at all.
Locate cold start injector 2. On most V-type engines, it will be on the second bank (bank 2) of the intake manifold. Inspect the connector and wiring for damage.

Bank 2 is typically the side of the engine opposite from cylinder 1. Check your manual to confirm.
Test the thermo-time switch if your vehicle uses one. This switch controls how long the cold start injectors spray. If it sticks open or closed, it can affect the injector circuit signal.

The thermo-time switch screws into a coolant passage and monitors engine temperature. It is inexpensive and often overlooked.
Measure resistance across cold start injector 2 with a multimeter. Compare against cold start injector 1 and the factory specification.

Both cold start injectors should read nearly identical resistance values if they are the same type.
Inspect the wiring from the injector back through the harness to the ECM. Repair any cracked, melted, or corroded sections before considering ECM replacement.

On vehicles 20 or more years old, wiring insulation often cracks from age — look carefully along the full length.

When to Call a Professional

Diagnosing two cold start injectors and their associated switches requires knowledge of older fuel system design. A mechanic familiar with older Japanese or European vehicles will diagnose this faster than someone unfamiliar with the system. The thermo-time switch can be tricky to test without the right reference data for your specific engine. Seek a professional if you are not comfortable working around older fuel systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my older car have two cold start injectors?

On V-type engines, having one cold start injector per bank ensures both sides of the engine get extra fuel during a cold start. This helps the engine fire evenly from the start, preventing rough running or uneven cylinder activation in cold weather. Newer fuel injection systems handle this through software, making the extra injectors unnecessary.

Can P0214 cause a no-start condition?

In very cold weather, a failed cold start injector can make starting difficult but usually not impossible. The main injectors will still work — the cold start injector is just a helper. If the engine cranks for a long time before starting in cold weather, a faulty cold start injector may be contributing.

Is this the same as P0213?

Both codes relate to cold start injector circuits. P0213 is for cold start injector 1 (bank 1 side), while P0214 is for cold start injector 2 (bank 2 side). If both codes appear together, the problem may be in the shared wiring or the cold start relay rather than both injectors failing at once.