P0351 Ignition coil A primary control circuit/open
What P0351 means
Each ignition coil is switched by the engine computer through its own control circuit. P0351 means the circuit for coil A, normally the coil for cylinder 1, is open or giving an incorrect signal. A misfire on that cylinder is likely.
P0351 is a generic SAE J2012 code: it means the same on every make. The exact cause still depends on the car, so read the freeze-frame data before replacing parts.
At a glance
- Severity
- Medium
- Typical repair cost
- 40–300 €
- Workshop time
- 0.2–1.5 h
- Repair difficulty
- Easy
- DIY possible
- Yes
- Check engine light
- Yes
- Affects emissions test
- Yes
Parts and labour at an independent workshop in Europe. Main dealers charge more; the cause decides the bill, not the code.
Symptoms
- Check engine light on
- Misfire and rough idle
- Hesitation and loss of power
- Cylinder 1 misfire code stored as well
Common causes
- Failed ignition coil for cylinder 1
- Loose, corroded or broken coil connector
- Damaged wiring between coil and engine computer
- Coil power supply fault (fuse or relay)
- Engine computer driver fault (rare)
Can I keep driving with P0351?
You can drive briefly, but have it repaired within one or two weeks, sooner if there is a misfire. Unburned fuel from a dead cylinder can damage the catalytic converter.
What to check first
- Inspect the coil connector for corrosion, damage or a broken locking tab
- Swap the coil with another cylinder and check whether the fault moves
- Check coil supply voltage and control wire continuity
- Replace the coil or repair the wiring depending on where the fault is
Related codes
- P0352 Ignition coil B primary control circuit/open
- P0353 Ignition coil C primary control circuit/open
- P0354 Ignition coil D primary control circuit/open
- P0355 Ignition coil E primary control circuit / open
- P0356 Ignition coil F primary control circuit / open
- P0346 Camshaft position sensor A circuit range/performance (bank 2)
- P0345 Camshaft position sensor A circuit (bank 2)
- P0344 Camshaft position sensor A circuit intermittent (bank 1 or single sensor)
Data: TORKO fault-code catalogue, built on OBDex (CC0-1.0) and reviewed against workshop practice. Informational only — it does not replace a diagnosis by a mechanic.
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