Powertrain, generic · Fuel and air metering (injector circuit)

P0216 Injector/Injection Timing Control Circuit

Check engine lightOn
EmissionsRelevant
Drive cycleNot required
Limp modePossible

P0216 is a diesel code for the control of injection timing. On 1990s distributor pumps with an electronic timing advance it meant that actual injection timing missed its target; today manufacturers use it for the electronic injector control, with different meanings. GM's Duramax diesels compare, inside the engine module, the summed injection pulse widths from the hardware driver with those calculated by the software; a mismatch in 30 of 124 or 60 consecutive checks sets the code with the warning light in the first trip. On GM's 3.0 litre LM2 it appeared together with P0202 from a broken pin in the injector 2 connector. Saab's 3.0 V6 diesel uses it for a fault in the separate injector power stage. The result can be loss of power, rough running, smoke and limp mode.

Likely causes

Injector harness or connector (broken pin) – common rail
Engine module or injector power stage faulty internally
Distributor pump electronics or timing advance faulty
Low supply pressure on distributor pumps (lift pump, filter)
Pump installed incorrectly, drive gear misaligned

Symptoms

  • Check engine light on
  • Loss of power, limp mode
  • Rough running, jerking
  • Hard starting or stalling (distributor pump), smoke

Repair estimate

DifficultyHardWorkshop job
Parts and labour€150–3,000
Time1–6 h

Typical range across vehicles; the real cost depends on what the testing finds.

Parts involved

fuel injectorsinjector driver moduleinjection pumpengine control module

Related codes

P0251P020AP0201P0202P062DP0215

References: law.cornell.edu, gsi.ext.gm.com, static.nhtsa.gov, saabwisonline.com.