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DTC codes / Volkswagen codes / P1372

P1372 · VolkswagenCylinder 6 Ignition Circuit Short To Ground

P1372 on Volkswagen vehicles means the engine control module (ECM) has detected a short to ground on the ignition coil circuit for cylinder 6. The ECM commands the coil to fire but sees the control wire pulled to ground when it should be switching, indicating a wiring fault, a failed coil, or an internal ECM driver issue.

SystemPowertrain
Code typeVolkswagen specific
SeverityMedium
Fix difficultyIntermediate
AreaIgnition system and misfire

Symptoms you may notice

  • Engine misfire and rough running, often felt as a shudder or hesitation
  • Flashing or steady check engine light, sometimes accompanied by a traction control light
  • Noticeable loss of power and poor acceleration
  • Increased fuel consumption due to incomplete combustion
  • Often no symptoms besides the warning light if the short is intermittent
  • Possible smell of unburned fuel from the exhaust

Common causes, most likely first

  1. Faulty ignition coil on cylinder 6 with an internally shorted primary winding
  2. Chafed or damaged ignition coil control wire shorting to ground on the engine block or harness bracket
  3. Corroded or loose electrical connector at the cylinder 6 ignition coil
  4. Failed engine control module (ECM) driver for the cylinder 6 coil circuit
  5. Aftermarket alarm or remote start wiring tapped into the coil harness and shorting to ground
  6. Oil or coolant contamination in the coil connector causing a conductive path to ground

How to diagnose and fix it

  1. Scan all modules and record freeze-frame data to confirm the fault is present and identify when it sets
  2. Visually inspect the cylinder 6 ignition coil, connector, and visible harness for damage, corrosion, or contamination
  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. Disconnect the ECM and coil connectors, then measure resistance from the coil control wire to ground to check for a short
  5. Wiggle-test the harness while monitoring the circuit with a multimeter or oscilloscope to catch intermittent shorts
  6. Repair or replace the damaged section of harness, clean connectors, and apply dielectric grease
  7. If the wiring and coil are good, test the ECM driver circuit or substitute a known-good ECM to rule out internal failure

Why cylinder 6 coil shorts are often misdiagnosed

  • A short to ground in the coil control circuit can be caused by the coil itself, so swapping coils before condemning the harness saves time and money.
  • The ECM driver for the coil can fail and create a short-to-ground condition internally, which mimics a wiring fault and is often missed.
  • Aftermarket accessories wired into the ignition harness are a common hidden cause of this code on older Volkswagen models.
  • P1372 can set intermittently due to vibration or heat, so a simple resistance check with a cold engine may not reveal the fault.
  • This code does not always mean the coil is dead; the engine may run fine until the short occurs under specific load or temperature conditions.

Can I keep driving with P1372?

Driving with a confirmed cylinder 6 misfire can damage the catalytic converter and cause poor fuel economy, so limit driving to short distances and avoid heavy acceleration until the fault is repaired. If the check engine light is flashing, 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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