P219E code meaning
Cylinder 3 Air-Fuel Ratio Imbalance
Powertrain system Generic code P21xx codes Check engine light
What P219E means
P219E points at cylinder 3. Two bulletins show that a mixture code does not always mean a fuel part. Audi stored P219C to P21A1, one code per affected cylinder, on 2010 to 2012 S4, S5 and A6 with the 3.0 TFSI because of an incorrect software setting; the fix was new engine software and, in a later revision, a new crankcase pressure regulating valve. Lexus traced P219A and P219C to P219F on the 2.0 turbo 8AR-FTS (NX, IS, RC, GS 2015 onward) to compression lost through exhaust valves with worn guides, sometimes with misfire codes and reduced engine power, and repaired the cylinder head. Toyota's 2015 Tacoma V6 bulletin also starts with a leak-down test. For a lone P219E, test the cylinder 3 injector and compression before replacing sensors; the bank sensor itself is shared by all cylinders.
P219E at a glance
- Check engine lightYes, usually on
- Emissions testCan fail
- Limp modePossible
- Repair difficultyHard
- Typical labor0.5 to 10 hours
- Clears after repairAfter a drive cycle
Symptoms of P219E
- Check engine light on
- Possible P0303 or rough running
- Reduced engine power in severe cases
Common causes of P219E
- PossibleExhaust valve leakage at cylinder 3 (e.g. worn guides on Lexus 8AR-FTS)
- PossibleCylinder 3 injector delivering the wrong amount
- PossibleIncorrect ECM software setting (e.g. Audi 3.0 TFSI)
- Less likelyFaulty crankcase pressure regulating valve
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Fuel injector
What each part of P219E 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. |
| 9E | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note P219E 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 P219E
What does P219E mean?
P219E means "Cylinder 3 Air-Fuel Ratio Imbalance". P219E points at cylinder 3. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with P219E?
Drive gently and only to a workshop. With P219E the car can go into limp mode (reduced power) to protect itself.
Will P219E fail an emissions test?
Yes, it can. P219E 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 P219E to fix?
Difficulty: hard. A typical repair takes 0.5 to 10 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will P219E clear itself after the repair?
After the repair the car has to complete a drive cycle (a mix of city and highway driving) before the test runs again. Until then the readiness monitor shows "not ready", which can fail an inspection.