P0356 Ignition coil F primary control circuit / open
What P0356 means
The engine computer has detected an open circuit or other electrical fault in the primary (low-voltage) circuit of ignition coil F. On most engines coil F serves cylinder 6, but check the manufacturer's numbering. If the coil is not being switched, that cylinder gets no spark and misfires.
P0356 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
- 40–350 €
- Workshop time
- 0.3–1.5 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, usually on cylinder 6 (often with P0306)
- Rough running and shaking
- Power loss
- Smell of unburned fuel
Common causes
- Failed ignition coil F
- Unplugged, loose or corroded coil connector
- Open or shorted wiring between the coil and the engine computer
- Blown fuse or faulty relay in the coil power supply
- Engine control unit coil driver fault (rare)
Can I keep driving with P0356?
You can drive gently to a workshop, but get it fixed soon: with no spark one cylinder is not firing, and unburned fuel can overheat the catalytic converter. If the check engine light flashes, stop driving.
What to check first
- Check that the coil F connector is fully plugged in and free of corrosion.
- Check for battery voltage at the coil supply pin with the ignition on.
- Swap the coil with a neighbouring cylinder: if the fault moves with it, replace the coil.
- If not, check the control wire to the engine computer for an open or short.
Related codes
- P0355 Ignition coil E primary control circuit / open
- P0354 Ignition coil D primary control circuit/open
- P0353 Ignition coil C primary control circuit/open
- P0352 Ignition coil B primary control circuit/open
- P0351 Ignition coil A primary control circuit/open
- P0363 Misfire detected, fuelling disabled
- P0365 Camshaft position sensor B circuit (bank 1)
- P0346 Camshaft position sensor A circuit range/performance (bank 2)
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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