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DTC codes / Volkswagen codes / P1371

P1371 · VolkswagenCylinder 6 Ignition Circuit Short To B+

P1371 on Volkswagen vehicles means the engine control module (ECM) has detected a short to battery voltage on the ignition coil circuit for cylinder 6. The ECM commands the coil to fire but sees voltage on the control wire that should only be present when the coil is not being commanded, indicating the wire is shorted to a power source or the coil's internal driver has failed.

SystemPowertrain
Code typeVolkswagen specific
SeverityMedium
Fix difficultyIntermediate
AreaIgnition system and misfire

Symptoms you may notice

  • Check engine light illuminated, often with no other noticeable symptoms
  • Rough idle or misfire felt as a shake or stumble, especially at low speeds
  • Loss of power or hesitation during acceleration
  • Increased fuel consumption due to incomplete combustion in cylinder 6
  • In some cases, the engine may enter limp mode or flash the check engine light under load

Common causes, most likely first

  1. Faulty ignition coil for cylinder 6 with an internal short to battery voltage
  2. Chafed or damaged wiring harness between the ECM and cylinder 6 ignition coil, shorting to a power wire
  3. Corroded or loose connector pins at the ignition coil or ECM, allowing voltage to bleed across circuits
  4. Failed ECM driver for the cylinder 6 ignition circuit (less common but possible)
  5. Aftermarket or incorrect ignition coil installed that does not match Volkswagen specifications
  6. Heat damage to the coil wiring from nearby exhaust components

How to diagnose and fix it

  1. Scan all modules and record freeze-frame data to confirm the fault is current and not intermittent
  2. Visually inspect the cylinder 6 ignition coil, connector, and wiring for obvious damage, chafing, or corrosion
  3. Swap the cylinder 6 ignition coil with a known-good coil from another cylinder and clear the code to see if the fault moves
  4. Use a multimeter to check for battery voltage on the control wire at the coil connector with the key on and engine off; repair any short to power
  5. Perform a wiggle test on the harness while monitoring live misfire data to catch intermittent shorts
  6. If the wiring and coil are good, check the ECM connector pins for corrosion or pushed-back terminals
  7. As a last resort, test or replace the ECM if all external circuits test good and the fault persists

What a short to B+ really means here

  • A short to B+ on an ignition coil control wire often mimics a failed coil, but the real culprit is frequently a rubbed-through wire near the engine mount or exhaust heat shield.
  • Volkswagen ignition coils can fail internally in a way that back-feeds voltage onto the control circuit, so swapping the coil to another cylinder is the fastest way to rule it out.
  • This code does not always mean the coil is dead; the engine may run fine because the ECM can still fire the coil under some conditions, but the short will eventually cause a misfire.
  • A poor ground connection at the engine block can cause voltage spikes that the ECM interprets as a short to B+, so always check grounds before condemning the ECM.
  • After replacing a coil or repairing wiring, clear the code and perform a road test with live misfire counters to confirm the repair before returning the car.

Can I keep driving with P1371?

You can drive the car short distances to a repair shop, but avoid hard acceleration and heavy loads because a persistent misfire can overheat the catalytic converter. If the check engine light flashes, 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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