Code
P1369
DS
P — Powertrain
Ignition coil 4 control spark time
Views:
UK: 2
EN: 12
RU: 1
AI status
Completed
Completed
100%
Causes
- Faulty ignition coil (coil pack or COP) on cylinder 4
- Bad spark plug or plug wire (if applicable) on cylinder 4
- Open, shorted, corroded or loose wiring/connectors at coil 4
- Faulty ignition driver circuit inside the PCM/ECM
- Low battery/poor supply voltage or ground to ignition system
- Incorrect cam/crank timing or sensor faults that affect ignition timing
Symptoms
- Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL/Check Engine) illuminated
- Rough idle or shaking at idle
- Reduced power, hesitation, or poor acceleration
- Specific misfire flagged for cylinder 4 (or consistent misfire felt)
- Poor fuel economy
- Intermittent starts or stalling in severe cases
What to check
- Read freeze frame and stored data; note operating conditions when code set
- Scan for related codes (misfire codes P0304/P0300, cam/crank sensor codes, coil driver codes)
- Visual inspection of coil 4, connector and wiring for damage, corrosion, oil or carbon tracking
- Check battery and charging system voltage (should be ~12–14.5 V) during cranking and running
- Compare live ignition/coil dwell/pulse data for coil 4 against other coils with scan tool
- Swap coil 4 with another cylinder’s coil and see if code or misfire follows the coil
Signal parameters
- Coil primary supply voltage: battery voltage ≈ 11.5–14.5 V (under operating conditions)
- Coil primary resistance: vehicle-specific (typical COP primary ~0.2–2 Ω — check service spec)
- Coil secondary resistance: vehicle-specific (typical multi-thousand ohms; check service spec)
- Dwell/pulse width: normally a few milliseconds; varies by rpm/load and OEM calibration — compare coil 4 to other coils
- Primary waveform: clean square/triangular current pulse with expected rise and collapse when fired
- Secondary waveform: high-voltage spike and proper burn time on oscilloscope when spark occurs
Diagnostic algorithm
- Retrieve the full fault record, freeze-frame data and any additional DTCs. Note RPM, load, temperature and voltage when the code set.
- Clear codes and attempt to reproduce. Observe if P1369 returns and under what conditions.
- Perform a visual inspection of coil 4, spark plug, boot (if applicable) and connector. Repair or clean obvious damage/corrosion.
- Use a scan tool to view live data for coil control (command), dwell/pulse width and compare to an adjacent cylinder while engine is running.
- Measure coil primary and secondary resistance and compare to service specification. If out of spec, replace coil.
- Swap coil 4 with another known-good coil. If the fault/misfire follows the coil, replace the coil. If it remains on cylinder 4, continue wiring/ECM checks.
- Check continuity and resistance of the coil control wiring between coil 4 and the PCM, including supply and ground circuits. Repair any opens/shorts/corrosion.
- With an oscilloscope, verify coil primary waveform (dwell/current pulse) and secondary spark waveform while monitoring command from PCM. Look for missing pulses, truncated collapse, or abnormal timing.
- Inspect and test crankshaft and camshaft position sensors and timing chain/belt alignment if timing reference appears inconsistent.
- If wiring and coil test good and waveforms show ECM not commanding correctly, consider ECM ignition driver fault — confirm with manufacturer diagnostic flow before replacing ECM.
- After repairs, clear codes and road test under conditions that previously set the code to confirm repair. Re-scan to confirm no recurrence.
Likely causes
- Coil 4 internal failure (primary or secondary winding or internal electronics)
- Damaged coil connector pins or poor pin contact causing intermittent command/feedback
- Broken or shorted coil primary wire (open between coil and ECM or fused supply)
- High resistance in ground or +12V supply under load
- ECM ignition driver transistor failed for coil 4
- Faulty crankshaft or camshaft position sensor causing incorrect timing reference
Fault status
Status
Ignition coil 4 control — spark timing out of expected range (inspect coil, wiring and ignition control).
Repair difficulty: Medium
Diagnostic time: 1.0-4.0 hours
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