Ignition coil 3 internal failure shorting the control circuit to ground; Chafed or pinched wire in the coil 3 control circuit contacting the engine block or another ground; Corroded or water-intruded coil connector pins creating a ground path; Faulty engine control module output driver for coil 3, often after a previous coil failure; Harness damage from heat, rodents, or previous repair work near the coil pack; Poor engine ground strap causing abnormal current paths through the coil control circuit

DTC codes / Volkswagen codes / P1345

P1345 · VolkswagenIgnition Coil Output Stage 3 Short To Ground

Q: What does code P1345 mean?

Ignition Coil Output Stage 3 Short To Ground. P1345 on a Volkswagen means the engine control module (ECM) has detected a short to ground on the output stage that fires ignition coil 3. The ECM commands the coil to spark by pulling its control wire low, and it monitors that circuit for abnormal current flow; a short to ground forces current to flow when the coil should be off, so the ECM flags the fault and may disable that coil's output to protect the driver circuit.

P1345 on a Volkswagen means the engine control module (ECM) has detected a short to ground on the output stage that fires ignition coil 3. The ECM commands the coil to spark by pulling its control wire low, and it monitors that circuit for abnormal current flow; a short to ground forces current to flow when the coil should be off, so the ECM flags the fault and may disable that coil's output to protect the driver circuit.

SystemPowertrain

Code typeVolkswagen specific

SeverityMedium

Fix difficultyIntermediate

AreaIgnition system and misfire

Symptoms you may notice

Illuminated check engine light, often with no other noticeable symptoms at first
Rough idle or a distinct misfire felt as shaking through the steering wheel and seats
Noticeable loss of power and sluggish acceleration under load
Flashing check engine light during hard acceleration, indicating a misfire that can damage the catalytic converter
Slightly higher fuel consumption because the affected cylinder is not burning efficiently
In some cases the engine may enter limp mode and limit rpm to protect the catalytic converter

Common causes, most likely first

Ignition coil 3 internal failure shorting the control circuit to ground
Chafed or pinched wire in the coil 3 control circuit contacting the engine block or another ground
Corroded or water-intruded coil connector pins creating a ground path
Faulty engine control module output driver for coil 3, often after a previous coil failure
Harness damage from heat, rodents, or previous repair work near the coil pack
Poor engine ground strap causing abnormal current paths through the coil control circuit

How to diagnose and fix it

Scan all modules and record freeze-frame data for P1345, then clear the code and verify whether it returns immediately
Inspect ignition coil 3 and its connector for corrosion, moisture, or a loose pin, and compare coil 3 with the other coils on the engine
Measure resistance from the coil 3 control wire to ground with the ignition off and the ECM disconnected; any reading below a few ohms indicates a short
Swap ignition coil 3 with another coil of the same part number and see whether the fault follows the coil or stays with cylinder 3
Disconnect the ECM and check the coil 3 control circuit for continuity to ground and for shorts to neighboring wires in the harness
If the wiring and coil test good, test the ECM output driver with an oscilloscope or known-good ECM swap before condemning the module
Repair the shorted wire or replace the failed coil, clear the code, and take a road test with live misfire data to confirm the repair

What a coil 3 short really tells you

A short to ground in the coil control circuit often damages the ECM driver, so replacing only the coil can leave the code returning after a short drive.
Volkswagen coil packs on some engines share a common power feed, so a shorted coil 3 can pull down voltage for other coils and create misfires on cylinders that are not actually faulty.
Water ingress through a degraded coil connector boot is a frequent cause on transverse engines where the coil pack sits under a plastic cover that traps moisture.
The ECM may set P1345 without ever illuminating the misfire counter, so a scan tool that shows only the code and no misfire data does not rule out a real ignition problem.
A chafed harness behind the engine near the exhaust manifold can short the coil 3 control wire intermittently, so the code may only appear after the engine is hot or after hitting a bump.

Can I keep driving with P1345?

You can drive a short distance to a repair shop if the engine runs smoothly and the check engine light is steady, but avoid hard acceleration and heavy loads. If the light flashes or the engine misfires badly, stop driving because unburned fuel can overheat and destroy the catalytic converter.

Tools that help

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