What it means
Ignition K Control Signal Circuit Low: the signal voltage is below the expected range. This line drives an ignition coil group; a fault causes misfire on those cylinders.
At a glance
- Usually lights the check-engine light
- Affects emissions; the car can fail an emissions test
How it works
The ignition K control signal circuit carries the powertrain control module’s switching command to the ignition coil group assigned to circuit K. This code sets when the monitored signal is below its expected range, often because the wire is shorted to ground or a connector has poor contact, leaving the affected cylinders prone to misfire.
Common causes
Most likely first.
- Short to ground
- Connector pins corroded - high contact resistance
- Harness chafing through insulation
Symptoms
- Check engine light on
- Engine misfire or rough running
- Hesitation or reduced power
- Possible hard starting or no-start
How to diagnose it
- Record freeze-frame data and check misfire codes or live misfire counts to identify cylinders served by ignition group K.
- With the ignition off, inspect the K control wire and connectors for chafing, exposed conductor, or contact with ground.
- Check the coil group K connector and module terminals for corrosion, looseness, or pushed-back pins.
- Use the wiring diagram and manufacturer’s procedure to test the K control circuit for a short to ground and verify continuity.
- If the wiring and connectors pass, test the coil group and module output to the manufacturer’s specification.
Common fixes
- Repair chafed ignition K wiring that is shorted to ground.
- Clean or repair corroded, loose, or pushed-back connector terminals.
- Repair a damaged section of the K control wire.
- Replace a coil group component or repair the module circuit only when testing confirms it is faulty.
Can I keep driving?
Do not continue driving with a severe misfire or a flashing check-engine light, because unburned fuel can overheat the catalytic converter. If the engine runs smoothly, drive only a short distance gently and stop if misfiring or power loss begins.
A code shows where the control module detected a fault, not always which part failed. Check the causes in order and confirm with a test before replacing parts. Have several codes? Check them together
This is a generic code: it means the same on every make. The car’s maker may add more detail in its own service information.