P216A code meaning
Fuel Injector Group E Supply Voltage Circuit/Open
Powertrain system Generic code P21xx codes Check engine light
What P216A means
Injector group E exists only on engines with at least five cylinders or five separately fed injector groups. GM gasoline direct injection uses one group per cylinder, and its 2024 tables (24OBDG07) state it plainly: injector E is cylinder 5. The code covers the high-side feed of that injector. Despite the word open in the title, GM uses it for shorts: the 2008 3.6 LLT sets P216A for the high side of cylinder 5 shorted to ground or battery and leaves open circuits to P0205; the 2024 tables flag less than 0.5 ohm to ground with the driver off or to supply with it on, after two events above 9 V, one trip. GM bulletin PIP4924D lists P216A on 3.0 and 3.6 V6 engines whose injector harness rubbed through against the plenum, valve cover bolts or fuel line. Cylinder 5 misfires.
P216A at a glance
- Check engine lightYes, usually on
- Emissions testCan fail
- Limp modePossible
- Repair difficultyHard
- Typical labor1 to 5 hours
- Clears after repairWhen cleared with a scanner
Symptoms of P216A
- Check engine lamp on, often with a cylinder 5 misfire code
- Rough running and reduced power
Common causes of P216A
- Most likelyInjector harness rubbed through at the intake plenum, valve cover bolts or fuel line
- PossibleCylinder 5 injector shorted internally
- Less likelyHigh-side driver in the engine control module faulty
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Fuel injectorInjector wiringEngine control module
What each part of P216A means
| P | Powertrain system: engine, fuel system, ignition, emissions and transmission. |
| 2 | Generic code (second SAE range): it means the same on every make. |
| 1 | Area: fuel and air metering. |
| 6A | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note P216A and any other codes stored with it: several codes together often point to one cause.
- Check for loose connectors and damaged wiring around the parts the code names.
- Check open recalls for your car: some faults are fixed for free by the dealer. Enter your VIN.
- Clear the code only after the repair. If it comes back, the fault is still there.
Buying a used car? Scan it for stored codes before you pay. A recently cleared memory can hide a problem.
Questions about P216A
What does P216A mean?
P216A means "Fuel Injector Group E Supply Voltage Circuit/Open". Injector group E exists only on engines with at least five cylinders or five separately fed injector groups. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with P216A?
Drive gently and only to a workshop. With P216A the car can go into limp mode (reduced power) to protect itself.
Will P216A fail an emissions test?
Yes, it can. P216A is emissions-related, so most inspection programs fail a car while it is stored or while the check engine light is on.
How hard is P216A to fix?
Difficulty: hard. A typical repair takes 1 to 5 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will P216A clear itself after the repair?
Clear the code with a scanner after the repair. If the fault is fixed, it does not come back.