Home / DTC / P1339 — Cylinder 3 ignition fail malfunction

P1339 — Cylinder 3 ignition fail malfunction

Detailed page for trouble code P1339.

32,295codes
58brands
9,841generic
22,454specific
Reset
Code

P1339

CITROEN P — Powertrain

Cylinder 3 ignition fail malfunction

Brand: CITROEN
Views: UK: 1 EN: 2 RU: 11
AI status
Completed
ready
Completed 100%
Page language: EN

Causes

  • Faulty ignition coil / igniter for cylinder 3
  • Worn or fouled spark plug on cylinder 3
  • Damaged wiring or poor connector at coil/spark plug
  • Open/short in ignition primary/secondary circuit
  • Fuel injector fault causing no combustion
  • Low compression or mechanical failure on cylinder 3

Symptoms

  • Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) / Check Engine Light illuminated
  • Rough idle or shaking at idle
  • Loss of power / hesitation under load
  • Increased fuel consumption and emissions
  • Intermittent or persistent misfire on cylinder 3
  • Possible backfire or noise from exhaust

What to check

  • Read and record freeze-frame data and live parameters with a scan tool (misfire counters, misfire on cylinder 3, engine RPM, load)
  • Check for related codes (e.g., P0303, P0353, P0300, cam/crank sensor codes)
  • Visually inspect ignition coil, spark plug, wiring harness, and connectors for damage, corrosion or oil contamination
  • Measure coil primary and secondary resistance per manufacturer spec
  • Swap coil (or igniter) from cylinder 3 with another cylinder and re-check code
  • Inspect and test spark plug condition and gap; replace if fouled or worn

Signal parameters

  • Cylinder 3 misfire count
  • Ignition coil primary voltage and current (dwell)
  • Ignition coil secondary voltage (spark energy)
  • Spark duration / dwell time
  • Short-term and long-term fuel trims (LTFT/STFT)
  • RPM and engine load at fault occurrence

Diagnostic algorithm

  1. Connect a capable scan tool and record stored/freeze-frame data and any additional active codes. Note conditions when code set (RPM, load, temp).
  2. Clear codes and attempt to reproduce. Confirm P1339 returns and capture live misfire counters for cylinder 3.
  3. Visually inspect coil, plug, wiring, and connector for cylinder 3. Repair any obvious damage or corrosion before further tests.
  4. With engine off, remove spark plug from cylinder 3. Inspect plug for fouling, oil, or damage. Replace with correct type if suspect.
  5. Swap the ignition coil/igniter from cylinder 3 with another cylinder. If the fault follows the coil, replace the coil/igniter.
  6. If coil swap does not move the fault, test coil primary/secondary resistance and compare to spec. Use an oscilloscope if available to check waveform under cranking/starting.
  7. Check wiring continuity and for shorts to ground or battery between coil connector and ECU. Wiggle test harness while monitoring live data for changes.
  8. Verify fuel injector for cylinder 3 is operating (listen for click, measure pulse, or use a noid light). Check injector resistance and perform a spray test if available.
  9. Perform a compression or leak-down test on cylinder 3 to rule out mechanical causes of misfire.
  10. Check camshaft and crankshaft sensors and timing/correlation data if misfires are random or if cam/crank sync faults are present.
  11. If all circuits and components check good, consider ECU/ignition module failure or intermittent wiring; consult manufacturer Technical Service Bulletins and consider module replacement or professional diagnostics.
  12. Safety: follow manufacturer procedures, disconnect battery when performing electrical repairs, and avoid live ignition coil testing with hands or unshielded tools.

Likely causes

  • Defective ignition coil / igniter on cylinder 3
  • Bad or deteriorated spark plug in cylinder 3
  • Loose/corroded connector or damaged coil wiring
  • Secondary ignition circuit short or open

Fault status

⚠️ Status
Ignition failure detected on cylinder 3 — ECU has logged a cylinder 3 ignition/misfire fault. Likely causes include coil, spark plug, wiring/connectors, injector, mechanical compression, or ECU/ignition module fault.
🟡 Repair difficulty: Medium
⏱️ Diagnostic time: 1.0-3.0 hours
Your experience will help others
+100 karma for a short comment :)
Send to email