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DTC codes / Volkswagen codes / P1362

P1362 · VolkswagenCylinder 3 Ignition Circuit Short To B+

P1362 on Volkswagen vehicles means the engine control module has detected a short to battery positive voltage on the ignition circuit for cylinder 3, so the coil is receiving constant power instead of a switched ground pulse. The computer monitors the ignition coil control wire and flags this code when the voltage on that circuit stays abnormally high, indicating the coil may be firing continuously or not at all.

SystemPowertrain
Code typeVolkswagen specific
SeverityMedium
Fix difficultyIntermediate
AreaIgnition system and misfire

Symptoms you may notice

  • Engine misfire and rough running, especially noticeable at idle or under light load
  • Check Engine Light illuminated, sometimes flashing if the misfire is severe
  • Reduced engine power and poor fuel economy due to a dead or constantly firing cylinder
  • A strong raw fuel smell from the exhaust if the injector keeps spraying into a non-firing cylinder
  • Often no symptoms besides the warning light if the short is intermittent or only affects the diagnostic circuit

Common causes, most likely first

  1. Ignition coil for cylinder 3 internally shorted to battery voltage
  2. Chafed or pinched ignition coil control wire shorting to a nearby power wire in the engine harness
  3. Corroded or damaged ignition coil connector allowing voltage to bleed across terminals
  4. Faulty engine control module driver for the cylinder 3 ignition circuit
  5. Water intrusion into the coil-on-plug well or harness connector causing a conductive path to battery voltage
  6. Aftermarket alarm or remote start wiring improperly spliced into the ignition circuit

How to diagnose and fix it

  1. Scan all modules for stored and pending codes, then verify P1362 is current and not a ghost code from a low battery
  2. Inspect the cylinder 3 ignition coil connector and coil well for corrosion, water, or loose pins, and clean or replace the connector as needed
  3. Swap the cylinder 3 ignition coil with another cylinder and see if the misfire and code follow the coil, confirming a faulty coil
  4. Disconnect the engine control module and coil connector, then measure resistance from the coil control wire to battery positive and to ground to check for a short
  5. Wiggle-test the engine harness while watching live misfire counters or a multimeter to catch an intermittent short to battery voltage
  6. Repair any chafed wire or replace the affected section of the engine harness, then clear codes and verify the short is gone
  7. If the harness and coil are good, test the engine control module ignition driver output with an oscilloscope and replace the module only if the driver is confirmed faulty

Why swapping coils can mislead you

  • A short to battery voltage in the coil control wire can make the coil fire continuously, which may melt the spark plug or damage the coil even after the code is cleared, so fix the wiring before installing a new coil.
  • The code can set intermittently from a harness rubbed through near the valve cover or intake manifold, and a simple coil swap will not reveal the wiring fault because the problem stays with the harness.
  • Volkswagen engine control modules are robust but not immune, and a shorted coil driver inside the module can mimic a harness short, so always rule out the wiring before condemning the module.
  • Water pooling in the spark plug well from a missing engine cover or clogged cowl drain is a common hidden cause on Volkswagens, and the short often clears after drying but returns in wet weather.
  • A P1362 can be stored alongside misfire codes for cylinder 3, but the misfire counter may not increment if the coil is stuck on, so do not assume the ignition system is fine just because the misfire code is absent.

Can I keep driving with P1362?

You can drive a short distance to a repair shop if the engine is running smoothly, but avoid heavy acceleration and long trips because a constantly firing coil can overheat and damage the spark plug or catalytic converter. If the Check Engine Light is flashing or the engine is misfiring badly, stop driving and have the vehicle towed.

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 Volkswagen vehicles. Exact tests and values vary by model, so confirm the fault before replacing parts.

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