P0316

P0316 is misfire detected on engine startup, specifically within the first 1,000 crankshaft revolutions (roughly the first 60-90 seconds of cold operation). Unlike rolling misfire codes, P0316 is a SAE-mandated cold-start specific diagnostic — the ECM counts misfire events during the warm-up cycle when catalyst efficiency is below light-off temperature and a misfire is most damaging to the cat. The code itself doesn't tell you which cylinder, so first thing is to pull the mode $06 misfire counters with a scan tool. Cheapest-first ladder: check spark plug condition (a plug with a hairline insulator crack only misfires cold when the plug is at thermal mismatch with the cylinder), inspect for a leaking injector (the leakdown of one injector overnight floods that cylinder), check fuel pressure at key-on (a leaking fuel pressure regulator lets rail pressure bleed off overnight), and scan for a stuck-open EVAP purge valve. Caveat: P0316 alone with no companion P030X cylinder-specific code often resolves to a tired battery — voltage sag during the first 1,000 revolutions slows crank speed enough to trip false misfire detection.

Vehicle-specific patterns: GM 5.3L LS/LMG V8 (Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban, 2007-2014) — AFM lifter cold-start collapse on a deactivated cylinder; the deactivating lifters stick mechanically overnight and the first 30 seconds of cold operation runs on 7 cylinders until oil pressure builds. AFM-delete kit ($600-900) plus lifter replacement is the durable fix. Honda J35 V6 with VCM (Pilot, Odyssey, Ridgeline, Accord V6, 2008-2017) — cold-start P0316 paired with cylinder 4/5/6 misfires traces to oil-fouled plugs on the VCM-deactivated cylinders. Ford 5.4L 3V Triton V8 (F-150, Expedition, 2004-2010) — cam phaser solenoid stuck overnight causes cold-start P0316 plus a distinctive death rattle on first crank. BMW N20/N26 turbo I4 (328i F30, X1, 2012-2017) — leaking injector overnight floods one cylinder; index-12 injector update plus walnut-blasting intake valves resolves. Estimated repair: $90 to $1,800.