Faulty ignition coil 'L' with an open or shorted primary or secondary winding; Worn or damaged spark plug causing excessive resistance and stressing the coil; Damaged or corroded wiring or connector at coil 'L' or its harness; Failed ignition control module or driver circuit inside the powertrain control module; Poor electrical ground connection for the ignition coil circuit; Moisture or oil intrusion into the coil boot or connector; Aftermarket or incorrect coil installed that does not meet specifications

DTC codes / P03xx · Ignition system and misfire / P0362

P0362Ignition Coil 'L' Primary/Secondary Circuit

Q: What does code P0362 mean?

Ignition Coil 'L' Primary/Secondary Circuit. P0362 indicates that the powertrain control module has detected an abnormal condition in the primary or secondary circuit of ignition coil 'L', which is one of the individual coil-on-plug or distributorless ignition coils. The computer monitors the coil's electrical behavior and sets this code when the circuit current or voltage falls outside the expected range during engine operation.

P0362 indicates that the powertrain control module has detected an abnormal condition in the primary or secondary circuit of ignition coil 'L', which is one of the individual coil-on-plug or distributorless ignition coils. The computer monitors the coil's electrical behavior and sets this code when the circuit current or voltage falls outside the expected range during engine operation.

SystemPowertrain

Code typeGeneric (all makes)

SeverityMedium

Fix difficultyIntermediate

AreaIgnition system and misfire

Symptoms you may notice

Illumination of the check engine light, often with no other noticeable symptoms
A noticeable engine misfire or rough running condition, especially under load or acceleration
Reduced engine power or a limp-home mode in some vehicles
Shaking or vibration felt through the steering wheel or seat during idle or driving
A flashing check engine light if the misfire is severe enough to damage the catalytic converter
Occasional difficulty starting or a stumble on acceleration

Common causes, most likely first

Faulty ignition coil 'L' with an open or shorted primary or secondary winding
Worn or damaged spark plug causing excessive resistance and stressing the coil
Damaged or corroded wiring or connector at coil 'L' or its harness
Failed ignition control module or driver circuit inside the powertrain control module
Poor electrical ground connection for the ignition coil circuit
Moisture or oil intrusion into the coil boot or connector
Aftermarket or incorrect coil installed that does not meet specifications

How to diagnose and fix it

Perform a visual inspection of coil 'L', its connector, and the spark plug, looking for cracks, corrosion, oil, or carbon tracking
Swap coil 'L' with a known-good coil from another cylinder and see if the misfire or code follows the coil
Test the primary and secondary resistance of coil 'L' with a multimeter and compare to specifications
Check for battery voltage and ground at the coil connector with the key on, and inspect the driver signal wire with an oscilloscope if available
Replace the spark plug for that cylinder if it shows wear or incorrect gap, as a bad plug can damage a new coil
Replace ignition coil 'L' if testing confirms it is faulty, using an OEM-quality part
Clear the code and perform a road test to verify the repair, and check for any remaining misfire counters

What a coil code often hides

A worn spark plug is a frequent root cause of coil 'L' failure, so replacing only the coil without addressing the plug often leads to a repeat failure.
The code can be set by a poor connection at the coil connector rather than a failed coil itself, and simply reseating or cleaning the connector may resolve it.
On some vehicles, a failing ignition control module or a cracked coil housing that allows moisture in can trigger this code without a complete coil failure.
P0362 is sometimes stored alongside misfire codes for the same cylinder, but the absence of a misfire code does not rule out a coil that is just beginning to degrade.
Swapping coils between cylinders is a reliable diagnostic step, but the code must be cleared and the engine run long enough for the monitor to re-run before drawing conclusions.

Can I keep driving with P0362?

You can usually drive the vehicle short distances to a repair shop, but avoid heavy acceleration or sustained high speeds because a severe misfire can overheat and damage the catalytic converter. If the check engine light is flashing, stop driving as soon as it is safe and have the vehicle towed.

Tools that help

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