What it means
A fault is detected on the secondary (high-voltage) side of ignition coil K. The spark delivered to the plug is missing or too weak, causing a misfire on the cylinder served by coil K. Causes: a worn spark plug or wide gap, a cracked coil or boot, carbon tracking, or an open or leaking secondary winding.
At a glance
- Usually lights the check-engine light
- Affects emissions; the car can fail an emissions test
How it works
Ignition coil K raises battery voltage to the high voltage needed to fire the spark plug for its cylinder. The engine controller detects a problem in the coil K secondary path when the spark is absent or too weak, and sets this code.
Common causes
Most likely first.
- Spark plug worn or fouled
- Secondary breakdown inside coil K
Symptoms
- Check-engine light
- Engine misfire or rough running
- Hesitation or reduced power
How to diagnose it
- Record freeze-frame data and check cylinder-specific misfire counts to confirm when the coil K cylinder misfires.
- With the engine off, inspect coil K, its boot, and the plug for cracks, carbon tracks, moisture, oil, or damage.
- Remove and inspect the spark plug served by coil K for fouling, wear, or an excessive gap, comparing it with the manufacturer's specification.
- Check the coil K boot and high-voltage connections for a secure fit and signs of arcing or leakage.
- If the fault remains, test coil K's secondary winding and insulation using the manufacturer's procedure and compare results with specification.
Common fixes
- Replace a worn or fouled spark plug in the coil K cylinder.
- Clean or replace a carbon-tracked or damaged coil K boot.
- Replace coil K if its secondary winding or insulation fails testing.
- Repair any damaged high-voltage connection or wiring found during inspection.
Can I keep driving?
Avoid hard acceleration and long trips while the engine misfires; unburned fuel can overheat and damage the catalytic converter. If the check-engine light flashes or the misfire is severe, stop driving and arrange repair.
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.