Powertrain, generic · Fuel and air metering (injector circuit)
P027E Cold Start Fuel Injection Quantity A Lower Than Expected
Check engine lightOn
EmissionsRelevant
Drive cycleRequired
Limp modeNo
P027E is the cold-start counterpart of P026C: during cold start the engine gets less fuel than commanded, for example because a catalyst-heating injection does not arrive. The check probably works as in warm running, from airflow and lambda against the commanded quantity. The code covers only phases with the cold-start emission strategy active (extra injections to heat the catalyst, raised idle): CARB requires faults of elements also monitored elsewhere to be reported separately during the cold-start strategy. No manufacturer using this code was found; the description follows CARB and the warm-running counterpart.
Likely causes
Injectors coked or clogged
Rail pressure builds too slowly at cold start (filter, wax, pump)
Airflow or lambda measurement inaccurate
Software
Symptoms
- Check engine light on
- Poor cold start, rough running when cold
- Longer warm-up
Repair estimate
DifficultyHardWorkshop job
Parts and labour€100–4,000
Time0.5–6 h
Typical range across vehicles; the real cost depends on what the testing finds.
Parts involved
fuel injectorsmass air flow sensornox sensor
Related codes
References: law.cornell.edu, gsi.ext.gm.com.