P0353⚡ Ignition (coil C, usually the cylinder 3 coil)Stop and fix promptly

P0353: Ignition Coil C Primary/Secondary Circuit (Meaning, Causes, Fixes)

Reviewed 2026-10-23 · Based on 2 cited source(s)

What P0353 means

On most modern engines each cylinder has its own coil sitting right on top of the spark plug (coil on plug). OBD-Codes.com explains that each coil has two wires: a battery feed, usually from the power distribution center, and a driver circuit from the powertrain computer (PCM). The PCM grounds and ungrounds the driver circuit to fire the coil and watches that circuit for faults. If it detects an open or a short in the driver circuit for coil number 3, P0353 may set, and depending on the vehicle the PCM may also shut off the fuel injector to that cylinder. RepairPal similarly says the PCM uses transistors called drivers to switch the coils, and sets P0353 if it cannot control the coil. It is a generic code that applies to OBD-II vehicles, though repair steps vary by make and model. The sources differ in a few ways. OBD-Codes.com treats P0353 as a fault in the coil 3 driver circuit, while RepairPal's technical section says the PCM is not seeing proper electrical signals from the coil and the problem can be on either the primary (computer) side or the secondary side (spark plug boot, spark plug wire or spark plug). RepairPal's list of common causes also includes intake manifold vacuum leaks, carbon in the throttle body air passages and a defective idle air control valve, which OBD-Codes.com does not mention, and RepairPal warns that coils and plugs are sometimes replaced when the real cause was a vacuum leak. RepairPal rates the code Urgent; OBD-Codes.com gives no rating. P0351 and P0352 cover coils A and B, P0354 covers coil D, and P0355 and up cover coils E onward.

Severity: can I keep driving?

Stop and fix promptly

Get it checked soon and go easy on the engine until then. RepairPal rates P0353 Urgent, meaning immediate action is needed, and lists a rough idle and misfires on acceleration. OBD-Codes.com gives no severity rating and lists the check engine light and a misfire that may be present or intermittent. It also notes that on some vehicles the computer may shut off the fuel injector to that cylinder. If the check engine light is flashing, the engine is misfiring badly, so stop hard driving and get it looked at.

Common symptoms

Likely causes

Roughly most to least common, based on the sources below. Your vehicle may differ.

  1. Short to voltage or short to ground in the coil driver circuit (OBD-Codes.com)
  2. Open in the coil driver circuit (OBD-Codes.com)
  3. Loose connection at the coil or broken connector locks (OBD-Codes.com)
  4. Bad ignition coil (OBD-Codes.com, RepairPal)
  5. Defective spark plug (RepairPal only)
  6. Intake manifold vacuum leak (RepairPal only)
  7. Carbon buildup in the throttle body air passages (RepairPal only)
  8. Defective idle air control valve or electronic throttle body (RepairPal only)
  9. Faulty engine computer (PCM) (OBD-Codes.com)

Diagnostic steps you can do

⚠ Before you start

Work on a cool engine, parked on level ground with the parking brake set. Never work under a car supported only by a jack.

  1. If the engine isn't misfiring right now, the problem is likely intermittent. OBD-Codes.com suggests wiggling the wiring at the number 3 coil and along the harness to the computer; if that brings on the misfire, repair the wiring. Check the coil connector for a poor connection and make sure the harness isn't misrouted or chafing.
  2. On an engine with one coil per cylinder, RepairPal suggests swapping the coil and spark plug as a set with a known good cylinder, clearing the code and test driving. If the code follows the coil, the coil is the likely cause. RepairPal also says to confirm the crankshaft signal is steady.
  3. If the problem stays with the same cylinder, RepairPal suggests a compression test on that cylinder and a smoke test for vacuum leaks nearby before moving on to the wiring.
  4. If the engine is misfiring now, OBD-Codes.com describes unplugging the number 3 coil, starting the engine and checking for a driver signal at the connector, either with a scope or with a voltmeter on the AC hertz scale. A reading of roughly 5 to 20 Hz means the computer is firing the coil, so the coil is likely bad.
  5. If there's no driver signal, OBD-Codes.com says to check the driver wire for DC voltage (a short to voltage), then with the ignition off and the computer unplugged check the wire for continuity from computer to coil and for infinite resistance to ground. Repair any open or short you find.
  6. Only if the wiring is good and there's still no trigger signal does OBD-Codes.com suspect the computer's coil driver, and it warns that a wiring fault may have caused the computer to fail, so recheck the wiring after any computer replacement. If the engine isn't misfiring and the coil fires properly but the code keeps coming back, it says the computer's coil monitoring may be at fault.

Typical fixes

Repair costs vary widely by vehicle, region, parts brand and shop, so we don't quote prices. Get a written estimate after diagnosis.

🛠 When to call a pro

  • The check engine light is flashing or the engine misfires badly
  • You don't have a multimeter, scope or wiring diagram for the coil driver circuit
  • The code comes back after a new coil and spark plug
  • Tests point to the engine computer, which may need programming to your vehicle
  • Several coil codes (P0351 through P0354 or others) are set at once

Where to buy

Plain search links. Always match parts to your exact year, make, model and engine.

OBD2 scanners on Amazon Parts at Advance Auto Parts catalog at RockAuto

FAQs

Can I drive with P0353?

Only gently and for a short time. RepairPal rates it Urgent and lists a rough idle and misfires on acceleration, and OBD-Codes.com says some vehicles shut off fuel to that cylinder. Get it diagnosed soon, and stop hard driving if the check engine light flashes.

Which cylinder is coil C?

OBD-Codes.com describes P0353 as a fault in the driver circuit for coil number 3 on coil-on-plug engines. Check your vehicle's service information to confirm which coil is C on your engine.

Is P0353 always a bad coil?

No. A bad coil is a common cause, but OBD-Codes.com also lists wiring opens and shorts, loose connectors and the computer, and RepairPal adds spark plugs and vacuum leaks. RepairPal warns that coils are sometimes replaced when a vacuum leak was the real cause, so swap-test the coil first.

How much does it cost to fix P0353?

Neither source gives a repair cost for P0353. It can be a loose connector, a coil or spark plug, or a wiring repair, so diagnose it before buying parts.

Sources

  1. OBD-Codes.com: P0353 Ignition Coil C Primary/Secondary Circuit Malfunction
  2. RepairPal: P0353 Ignition Coil "C" Primary/Secondary Circuit (rated Urgent)

Last reviewed 2026-10-23. Code definitions and repair steps can vary by manufacturer. Confirm with your vehicle's service information.