Comprehensive diagnostic guide for OBD-II code P1416 Misfire Cylinder Detected

What This Code Means

• P1416 is categorized under Powertrain (P codes) in OBD-II. The P1 group codes are often manufacturer-specific diagnostics; the exact meaning of P1416 can vary by vehicle make/model. In practical terms, P1416 is associated with a misfire condition detected by the PCM and may indicate a cylinder-specific misfire or a generalized misfire condition depending on OEM definitions. This is consistent with how OBD-II codes are described in general references (Powertrain Codes) and with the notion that many P1 codes are manufacturer-specific.
• Real-world reporting corroborates the misfire association: a NHTSA complaint describing a 2013 Dodge Ram 1500 (5.7 Hemi) reports P1416 in the context of a misfire condition after substantial engine work. This underscores the symptom link between P1416 and misfire, and it highlights that post-repair timing or valve-train concerns can be involved.

Symptoms

• Primary symptom: engine misfire, which can be isolated to one cylinder or perceived as a rough idle, power loss, hesitation, or shuddering under load.
• Related indicators that often accompany a misfire DTC: rough idle, stalling at idle, decreased engine performance, reduced fuel economy, and possibly other misfire-related codes (P030X series) or P0300 (random/mMultiple misfire) depending on calibration and vehicle.
• In the real-world example, a misfire code appeared after substantial engine work (lifters, cam, oil pump, etc.), illustrating how timing/valve-train concerns can manifest as a misfire code scenario.

What you should know about P1416 (code handling perspective)

• According to general OBD-II references, P1416 is part of the broader misfire-detection family, but the exact cylinder and the triggering condition can vary by manufacturer. A vehicle-specific service bulletin or OEM diagnostic information is often needed to identify the exact cylinder (if the code is cylinder-specific) and the precise failure mechanism.
• Practical diagnostic approach: treat P1416 as a misfire indicator and systematically validate ignition, fuel delivery, and mechanical health. The precise cylinder and the dominant failure mode depend on the vehicle and on any recent work that could affect timing or valve train.

Cause Probability

Note: With only one publicly reported complaint set, these probability estimates are intentionally cautious and vehicle-dependent. They reflect a reasoned starting point for common misfire-related failures and the context of the reported case (post-engine-work misfire).

• Ignition system concerns (spark plugs, ignition coils, and ignition wiring) - ~40-60%
  • Spark plug condition, fouling, or improper gap
  • Faulty ignition coil or coil-on-plug failure
  • Wiring/connector issues or impedance problems
  • Why this matters: misfires are frequently ignition-related, and many P0/P1 misfire codes correlate to ignition faults. The complaint context (post-repair misfire) often points toward ignition/fuel delivery or timing concerns as likely suspects.
• Fuel delivery and injector concerns (fuel injector operation, injector wiring, fuel pressure) - ~10-25%
  • Clogged or leaking injectors, injector driver issues
  • Low or unstable fuel pressure
  • Fuel trim anomalies that create lean/rich conditions leading to misfire
• Mechanical/valve-train or timing concerns (timing chain/belt, lifters, cam, compression) - ~20-40%
  • Timing misalignment or incorrect timing after repair
  • Worn or failed lifters, camshaft issues, valve train wear
  • Low compression or abnormal cylinder sealing
  • This category aligns with the real-world complaint where substantial engine work (lifters, cam, oil pump) preceded the P1416 code, suggesting a possible timing/valve-train or mechanical concern as a plausible root cause
• Air intake and vacuum leaks (vacuum/PCV leaks, intake leaks) - ~5-15%
  • Vacuum hose leaks, cracked intake plenum gaskets, or PCV system problems
  • Unmetered air can contribute to misfire conditions through lean air/fuel mixtures
• Sensor/ECU-related issues (engine sensors, PCM misbehavior) - ~5-15%
  • Mismatch between sensor readings and actual engine state
  • PCM misreading misfire conditions in certain operating regimes
  • Note: while sensor faults can cause misfire indications, many misfire cases are due to ignition, fuel, or mechanical issues; OEM-specific code logic may role these into P1416 in some vehicles
• Other mechanical concerns (unrelated to ignition/fuel) - variable up to 10%
  • Contaminants in the combustion chamber, rings, or combustion chamber deposits
  • Exhaust/oxygen sensor interaction in some OEM implementations

Diagnostic Approach

1) Verify and scope the fault

• Use an advanced scan tool to confirm P1416 is still present and to view live data and any cylinder misfire counters. Note freeze-frame data: engine RPM, coolant temp, fuel trims, injector duty cycle, misfire cylinder indicators if shown.
• Check for other DTCs (P0300-P0306 for cylinder-specific misfires, P030X family). If P0300 is present, approach as a generalized misfire issue; if a specific P030X appears alongside P1416, focus on that cylinder and its wiring/parts.

2) Correlate symptoms with recent work

• If the vehicle recently underwent major mechanical work (timing, lifters, cam, oil pump, etc.), re-check timing marks, cam/crank sync, belt/chain tensioners, and valve clearance (lash). A timing issue can mimic or cause misfire conditions and often surfaces as P1416 in OEM logic.
• Review oil pressure and quality history if lifters or cam work were performed; low oil pressure or degraded oil could affect valve train operation.

3) Visual and mechanical inspection

• Ignition system: inspect spark plugs for wear, deposits, or improper gap; inspect spark plug wires (if applicable) and coil-on-plug boots or coil packs for cracks, arcing, or heat damage; check connectors for corrosion or looseness.
• Fuel system: verify fuel pressure against spec using a fuel pressure gauge; inspect fuel rail pressure regulator operation; briefly test injector operation (listening for click with engine running, or performing injector balance test if equipment allows).
• Air intake and vacuum: check for obvious vacuum leaks, cracked hoses, or loose intake clamps; inspect PCV valve and hoses; inspect manifold gaskets for leaks.
• Mechanical timing/valve train: if timing was altered during repair, verify timing marks and cam/crank relationship; check belt/chain condition and tensioners; investigate lifter or cam wear if indicated by noise or oil pressure history.
• If engine has variable valve timing (VVT) or cam phasing, verify sensor operation and proper phasing.

4) Cylinder-specific vs generalized misfire handling

• If P1416 indicates a particular cylinder in your OEM data, isolate that cylinder first (swap coil/ injector with another cylinder, or swap ignition coils/injectors to test for a change in misfire pattern). If the misfire follows the component, you've identified the culprit.
• If no cylinder is clearly indicated, perform a generalized misfire check as described below.

5) Targeted tests to isolate root cause

• Spark/ignition test: swap a suspected faulty ignition coil or spark plug with a known-good unit from another cylinder (or swap the cylinder-to-coil pair if the design uses individual coils). Clear codes and perform a test drive to see if the misfire follows the component.
• Injector test: perform a fuel injector balance test if available; swap a suspected faulty injector with a known-good one to observe any changes in misfire behavior.
• Compression test or leak-down test: if compression is low on a cylinder or if mechanical suspicion exists (timing/valve train), perform a compression test per cylinder; if compression is low, proceed with leak-down test to identify the leakage path (valve, piston rings, head gasket, etc.).
• Vacuum/air-leak test: perform a smoke test or spray-test on suspected vacuum lines to identify leaks that can cause misfire-like symptoms.
• Inspect or test sensors if indicated by data: Note that sensor faults alone are less common as the primary cause of misfire, but errant readings may contribute to ignition timing or fuel trim issues; verify readings against spec.

6) Confirm repair and verify

• After repairing the identified cause (ignition, fuel, timing, mechanical issue), clear the codes and perform a road test to verify no misfire codes return.
• Monitor live data: crank/cam correlation, misfire data, fuel trims, and spark/fuel delivery stability through a full drive cycle (idle, light throttle, and loaded operation).
• Confirm readiness monitors: drive cycle to complete emissions readiness and ensure no lingering misfire conditions.

6A) Vehicle-specific notes (illustrative)

• In the example of a 2013 Dodge Ram 1500 with a 5.7 Hemi, a prior heavy engine repair (lifters, cam, oil pump, rocker arms, push rods) preceded the P1416 code. This reinforces the judgment that timing or valve-train issues can manifest as P1416 misfire indications after substantial mechanical work, though each vehicle may vary in its exact diagnostic path. Always verify OEM timing specifications and cylinder-trace logic for your vehicle.

Safety Considerations

• Ensure the ignition system is de-energized when inspecting spark plugs, coils, and related wiring.

• Relieve fuel system pressure before disconnecting fuel lines; use protective eyewear and handle high-pressure fuel lines with care.

• When performing compression or leak-down tests, use proper PPE and follow safe procedures for pressurized systems and hot engine components.

• Disconnect the battery if performing work that could energize circuitry unexpectedly; reconnect and clear codes after repairs.

• If the vehicle has advanced emissions equipment or a severe mechanical concern, consider professional service information and diagnostics per OEM guidelines before attempting invasive repairs.

• NHTSA Real-World Complaints: A representative complaint describes a 2013 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7 misfiring after substantial engine work, with a P1416 misfire code. This case illustrates how timing/valve-train issues or post-repair conditions can relate to P1416 and misfire symptoms.

• Wikipedia - OBD-II - Diagnostic Trouble Codes; Powertrain Codes: These pages provide general definitions for how DTCs are structured (P-codes are powertrain; P1 codes are often manufacturer-specific). This supports the understanding that P1416 is a misfire-related code whose exact cylinder and interpretation can vary by OEM.

• GitHub definitions for standard code information: General guidance that P codes include manufacturer-specific variants; P1416 is reflected in several OEM contexts as a misfire-related DTC. This informs the approach that cylinder identification and root-cause mapping can be OEM-specific.

Summary

• P1416 indicates a misfire condition detected by the PCM; the exact cylinder and the root cause can vary by vehicle and by OEM implementation. Use a systematic diagnostic approach: confirm the code, correlate with symptoms and recent work, inspect ignition and fuel delivery systems, assess timing/valve-train integrity if timing work was recently done, perform targeted tests, and verify repair with test drives and live data. The most common misfire families to consider first are ignition/fuel delivery issues, followed by mechanical timing/valve-train concerns, with vacuum/air leaks and sensor-related issues as additional possibilities. In the real-world example provided by NHTSA, significant engine work preceding the code strongly suggests re-checking timing and valve-train correctness as a primary focus.

This diagnostic guide was generated using verified reference data:

• NHTSA Consumer Complaints: 1 real-world reports analyzed
• Wikipedia Technical Articles: OBD-II

Content synthesized from these sources to provide accurate, real-world diagnostic guidance.

---