Which cylinder is ignition coil 'C'?

On most engines coil 'C' is cylinder number 3, since the letters follow the firing sequence (A=1, B=2, C=3, and so on). The mapping isn't universal, though, so confirm against your vehicle's service information. Any misfire code stored alongside P0353 — such as P0303 — is the most reliable way to identify the exact cylinder.

Can I keep driving with P0353?

Short trips are usually possible, but it's not ideal. A coil circuit fault often means that cylinder is misfiring, which wastes fuel, makes the engine run rough, and can send unburned fuel into the catalytic converter. If the check engine light is flashing, reduce load and get it fixed quickly to protect the catalyst.

Is it the coil or the spark plug?

P0353 is a coil circuit code, so the coil, its connector, or its wiring is the usual cause, but a worn or fouled spark plug adds load and can contribute. Swapping the coil to another cylinder to see if the fault moves, and inspecting the plug, is the quickest way to separate the two.

What's the difference between P0353, P0351, and P0352?

They're the same coil circuit fault on different cylinders. P0351 is coil 'A' (usually cylinder 1), P0352 is coil 'B' (usually cylinder 2), and P0353 is coil 'C' (usually cylinder 3). Diagnosis is identical for each; you just work on the coil, connector, and plug for the affected cylinder.

OBD-II trouble code

P0353: Ignition Coil 'C' Primary/Secondary Circuit

The engine computer detected a fault in the primary or secondary circuit of ignition coil 'C'. It usually means a bad coil, connector, or wiring on that cylinder, and it often comes with a misfire.

Quick facts

System: Powertrain
Category: Ignition
Severity: Medium severity
Drivable: Usually safe to drive short-term
Repair cost range: $40 – $300
DIY difficulty: Intermediate DIY

What does P0353 mean?

On a coil-on-plug or coil-pack ignition system, each ignition coil steps battery voltage up to the tens of thousands of volts needed to jump the spark plug gap. The primary circuit is the low-voltage side the engine control module (ECM) switches on and off; the secondary circuit is the high-voltage side that feeds the spark plug. The ECM monitors the primary circuit and can infer secondary faults. P0353 sets when it detects an electrical problem — an open, a short, or an out-of-range condition — in the primary or secondary circuit of ignition coil 'C'.

The 'C' designation refers to the third coil in the manufacturer's firing sequence. On most engines coil 'C' corresponds to cylinder number 3, but the exact cylinder assignment can vary, so always confirm against the vehicle's service information rather than assuming. P0353 is one of a family of coil codes: P0351 covers coil 'A', P0352 covers coil 'B', and P0354 through P0358 cover coils 'D' through 'H'.

Because a coil circuit fault usually means that cylinder isn't sparking properly, P0353 frequently appears alongside a misfire code such as P0300 (random misfire) or the cylinder-specific P0303 (cylinder 3 misfire). The engine may run rough, lose power, or trigger a flashing check engine light during an active misfire, which signals that raw fuel is reaching the catalytic converter and can damage it. The fault can lie in the coil itself, its connector, the wiring, or occasionally the ECM driver, so the circuit and connector should be checked before condemning the coil.

Common causes

Failed ignition coil 'C' (most common)
Corroded, loose, or damaged coil connector
Open, shorted, or chafed primary or secondary circuit wiring
Worn or fouled spark plug increasing load on the coil
Poor ground or a supply-voltage problem to the coil
Failed coil driver inside the ECM (less common)

Symptoms

Check engine light on, sometimes flashing under load
Engine misfire, rough idle, or shaking
Loss of power and hesitation on acceleration
Hard starting in some cases
Reduced fuel economy
Companion misfire codes such as P0300 or P0303

Diagnostic steps

1.Scan for all stored codes and note any accompanying misfire codes, which help confirm which cylinder is affected.
2.Confirm from service information which cylinder coil 'C' corresponds to on this specific engine (commonly cylinder 3).
3.Inspect the coil connector and wiring for corrosion, looseness, melted insulation, or chafing.
4.Swap coil 'C' with a coil from another cylinder. If the fault or misfire follows the coil, the coil is bad; if it stays put, suspect wiring or the spark plug.
5.Inspect the spark plug on that cylinder for wear, fouling, or an incorrect gap.
6.Check the coil's power feed and ground, and verify the primary control signal from the ECM before condemning the coil.

Repair cost

$40 – $300

A single ignition coil is commonly $40 to $200 in parts with 0.5 to 1.5 hours of labor, so a coil replacement is often $100 to $300. Many shops recommend replacing the spark plug on that cylinder at the same time. Wiring or connector repairs run $50 to $200. Replacing all coils as a set costs more but is common preventive practice on high-mileage engines.

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Open the Repair Cost Estimator with ignition coil replacement preselected. Adjust labor rate and vehicle category to fit your situation.

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DIY vs shop

This is an intermediate DIY job. It usually involves diagnostic steps, specialty parts, and some careful work in tight spaces. If you have the tools and a service manual or trustworthy video for your specific vehicle, it is achievable in a weekend. Otherwise, a competent independent shop will be faster.

Related codes

P0300 P0303 P0351 P0352