What it means
During cold start, the cylinder 6 deactivation or intake valve control does not respond as expected. Cold oil viscosity, lifter slow to actuate, or solenoid response sluggish.
At a glance
- Usually lights the check-engine light
- Affects emissions; the car can fail an emissions test
How it works
The engine control module commands cylinder 6's deactivation or intake-valve control during a cold start and checks whether the mechanism responds as expected. P2CE0 sets when that cylinder's control response is outside the expected performance range while the engine is cold.
Common causes
Most likely first.
- Cold oil viscosity too high
- Solenoid response sluggish at cold
Symptoms
- Check-engine light
- Rough running or misfire shortly after a cold start
- Reduced power until the engine warms
How to diagnose it
- Record freeze-frame data and cold-start misfire or valve-control data before clearing the code, noting the temperature and how long the engine had been running.
- Check the engine oil level, service history, and specified oil grade; oil that is too thick for the conditions can delay cylinder 6's hydraulic valve-control response.
- Inspect the cylinder 6 deactivation or intake-valve control solenoid connector and wiring for damage, oil contamination, corrosion, or loose contacts.
- Compare commanded and actual cylinder 6 valve-control data during a cold start with data from other cylinders, if supported by the scan tool.
- Test the cylinder 6 solenoid circuit and actuator response against the manufacturer's specification, then investigate the cylinder 6 lifter or valve-control mechanism if the electrical checks pass.
Common fixes
- Correct the oil level or replace oil and filter with the manufacturer's specified grade if the oil is unsuitable or overdue.
- Repair damaged wiring or connector contacts at the cylinder 6 valve-control solenoid.
- Replace the cylinder 6 deactivation or intake-valve control solenoid if testing confirms sluggish operation.
- Repair the cylinder 6 lifter or valve-control mechanism if it fails the manufacturer's mechanical checks.
Can I keep driving?
If the engine runs roughly or loses power just after a cold start, avoid hard acceleration until it smooths out and warms. Persistent misfires can damage the catalytic converter, so stop driving if the check-engine light flashes or the misfire continues.
A code shows where the control module detected a fault, not always which part failed. Check the causes in order and confirm with a test before replacing parts. Have several codes? Check them together
This is a generic code: it means the same on every make. The car’s maker may add more detail in its own service information.