P216B code meaning
Fuel Injector Group E Supply Voltage Circuit Low
Powertrain system Generic code P21xx codes Check engine light
What P216B means
P216B reports the feed of injector group E pulled toward ground. In GM gasoline direct injection, group E means the injector of cylinder 5, so the code appears on V6 and V8 engines. GM's 2016 3.6 LGX V6 and 2018 6.2 LT4 V8 tables treat it as the injector 5 high-side line being grounded: while the driver is switched on, 25 A or more flows through it. With at least 11 V, 10 failures out of 20 samples at 100 ms set the code, type A, so the MIL lights on the first trip. GM's preliminary information PI0631H for 2012 and 2013 Impala found the engine harness chafing against a transmission edge, which can ground a single circuit such as this one. The injector is shut off and cylinder 5 drops out. P216A is the general fault, P216C the short to voltage.
P216B 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 P216B
- Check engine lamp on immediately
- Cylinder 5 misfire, noticeable shaking
Common causes of P216B
- Most likelyHigh-side wire of injector 5 chafed through to ground, for example on the transmission
- PossibleCylinder 5 injector shorted to its housing
- Less likelyEngine control module output stage 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 P216B 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. |
| 6B | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note P216B 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 P216B
What does P216B mean?
P216B means "Fuel Injector Group E Supply Voltage Circuit Low". P216B reports the feed of injector group E pulled toward ground. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with P216B?
Drive gently and only to a workshop. With P216B the car can go into limp mode (reduced power) to protect itself.
Will P216B fail an emissions test?
Yes, it can. P216B 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 P216B to fix?
Difficulty: hard. A typical repair takes 1 to 5 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will P216B clear itself after the repair?
Clear the code with a scanner after the repair. If the fault is fixed, it does not come back.