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DTC codes / Honda codes / P1306

P1306 · HondaCylinder 6 Misfire

P1306 on a Honda means the powertrain control module has detected a misfire specifically on cylinder 6, typically by monitoring crankshaft speed fluctuations that occur when that cylinder fails to produce its share of power. The code is stored once the misfire exceeds a calibrated threshold, and on many Honda engines it can illuminate the check engine light or cause it to flash if the misfire is severe enough to damage the catalytic converter.

SystemPowertrain
Code typeHonda specific
SeverityHigh
Fix difficultyIntermediate
AreaIgnition system and misfire

Symptoms you may notice

  • Check engine light illuminated steadily, or flashing if the misfire is severe
  • Noticeable engine shake or rough idle, especially when cold or under light load
  • Reduced power and sluggish acceleration, particularly when climbing hills or merging
  • A distinct popping or ticking sound from the exhaust or engine bay on some V6 models
  • Poor fuel economy and a raw fuel smell from the tailpipe if the misfire is constant
  • Often no symptoms besides the warning light when the misfire is intermittent or only occurs under specific conditions

Common causes, most likely first

  1. Worn or fouled spark plug on cylinder 6, especially on the rear bank of V6 engines where access is limited
  2. Failed ignition coil or coil-on-plug boot on cylinder 6, a common failure on Honda V6 engines
  3. Faulty fuel injector for cylinder 6, including clogged nozzles or an open electrical winding
  4. Vacuum leak at the intake manifold runner or gasket near cylinder 6, leaning out that cylinder
  5. Low compression on cylinder 6 from worn rings, a burned valve, or a leaking head gasket
  6. Valve clearance out of specification on engines with adjustable tappets, affecting cylinder 6 breathing
  7. Wiring or connector fault in the cylinder 6 injector or coil circuit, including chafed harness near the rear bank

How to diagnose and fix it

  1. Scan all stored and pending codes with a capable scan tool, then record freeze-frame data and misfire counters for cylinder 6 before clearing anything
  2. Inspect the cylinder 6 spark plug for fouling, gap wear, or cracked porcelain, and compare it to a known-good cylinder
  3. Swap the cylinder 6 ignition coil with an adjacent cylinder and recheck misfire counters to see if the fault follows the coil
  4. Test the cylinder 6 fuel injector for resistance, pulse signal with a noid light, and spray pattern if accessible
  5. Perform a compression test and, if low, a cylinder leak-down test on cylinder 6 to rule out mechanical failure
  6. Smoke-test the intake system and inspect vacuum lines and manifold gaskets near cylinder 6 for leaks
  7. Check valve clearance on cylinder 6 if the engine has adjustable valves and the misfire persists after ignition and fuel checks

Honda V6 rear-bank misfire traps

  • On Honda V6 engines, cylinder 6 sits on the rear bank against the firewall, so technicians often replace the easy front-bank parts first and misdiagnose a simple coil or plug fault as something deeper.
  • A P1306 can be set by a misfire that only occurs during cold start or under specific load conditions, meaning a quick test drive may not reproduce it and freeze-frame data is essential.
  • Honda's misfire monitor can be sensitive to engine oil consumption and carbon buildup on direct-injected engines, so a fouled plug on cylinder 6 may be a symptom of a larger oil control issue rather than the root cause.
  • A flashing check engine light with P1306 means the misfire is severe enough to overheat the catalytic converter, and continuing to drive can turn a cheap ignition repair into an expensive converter replacement.
  • Some aftermarket scan tools misreport Honda manufacturer-specific misfire codes, so confirm P1306 with a tool that reads Honda enhanced data before ordering parts.

Can I keep driving with P1306?

If the check engine light is flashing, stop driving and have the vehicle towed or repaired immediately because a severe misfire can destroy the catalytic converter. If the light is steady and the engine runs smoothly, you can drive cautiously to a repair shop, but avoid hard acceleration and prolonged high-speed driving until the misfire is diagnosed.

Tools that help

Tools we recommend are in the Auto Veteran shop on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Guidance is general and written for Honda vehicles. Exact tests and values vary by model, so confirm the fault before replacing parts.

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