P0362
Ignition Coil L Primary Control Circuit/Open
Ignition / misfire
Generic OBD-II
High
What it means
P0362 means the ECM has detected an open (or a control-circuit fault) in ignition coil L's primary winding — the coil that fires one specific cylinder. Without a proper spark, that cylinder misfires, so the engine runs rough and loses power. Because a misfire strains the catalytic converter, the coil or its wiring should be repaired promptly.
High
Can I keep driving? You can drive short-term, but the affected cylinder will misfire and run rough — limit driving to avoid catalytic-converter damage.
Common symptoms
What you'll notice
- Check-engine light on (may flash during an active misfire)
- Rough idle and engine shake
- Misfire and reduced power on the affected cylinder
- Hesitation on acceleration
Common causes
Most likely first
- Failed ignition coil L (open primary winding)Likely
- Open or shorted wiring in the coil's primary control circuitCommon
- Poor or corroded connection at the coil connectorCommon
- Loss of driver signal from the ECM/ignition module (less likely)Less often
How to diagnose & fix
Work through it in order
- Read freeze-frame data and confirm the fault is on ignition coil L's primary circuit.
- Inspect the coil connector and control wiring for damage, corrosion, or an open.
- Check for the driver control signal and power at the coil connector.
- Swap coil L with a known-good coil; if the fault follows the coil, replace it.
- If wiring and coil are good, test the driver circuit at the ECM. Clear and re-test.
FAQ
Quick answers
Is it safe to drive with P0362?+
Only briefly. A dead coil means that cylinder misfires, dumping raw fuel into the exhaust and risking converter damage — especially if the light is flashing.
Can I just clear P0362?+
It will return until the coil or its circuit is repaired. Clearing only resets the light temporarily.
Related codes
Often seen with P0362
Read & clear P0362 yourself
Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.
✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX