What you do when you receive a code in your Ford will depend on the type of the code. You may make wrong judgments if you don’t know what it means. For instance, you may ignore it, yet the code implies that the engine has a severe problem. For example, code P0353 is a code that means an issue emanates from the engine. As such, it should be assessed as soon as possible. If you have gotten this code and you are wondering what it means and how you can fix it, please read through this article.
What do code P0353 means?
If your Ford vehicle is modern, it has a coil-on-plug (COP) ignition system. This means that each cylinder has its own coil. The coil usually lies on top of the spark plugs. Its function is to supply the spark plugs with a high electric voltage necessary to create sparks. It is controlled by the engine control module (ECM), which also manages ignition timing. When the ECM establishes that sparks are needed, it sends signals to the ignition coil. The ignition coil will, in turn, draw voltage from the battery and use it to create sparks. If the ignition coil C fails to operate as the ECM desires, code P0353 is relayed.
Symptoms of code P0353
Many symptoms can tell you your Ford has code P0353. Hence, observing them allows you to take action before the issue worsens. However, most of its symptoms are also seen in other codes. Therefore, you should not rely on them entirely and instead use an OBD II system to diagnose it. These symptoms include:
1. Illuminated check engine light
You will always get an illuminated check engine light when there is a problem with your Ford engine.
2. Rough Idle
Your Ford needs a certain number of sparks to stay idle. If the sparks fall below the required number, you will notice that your Ford will experience a rough idle. Some symptoms of a rough idle are excess vibrations, inconsistent RPM, and skipping sound. If you get a rough idle, there is a high chance that the OBD II system will indicate code P0353.
3. Engine misfire
An engine misfire always occurs when the number of sparks fall below normal. As an issue with the ignition coil will result in reduced sparks, you can be sure to get an engine misfire when there is code P0353.
4. Reduced vehicle performance
The other symptoms of code P0353 are reduced vehicle speed, engine shutting down when you accelerate, and poor fuel economy. These are serious issues that need to be fixed immediately. Therefore, you should instantly find out what is causing code P0353 and fix it. But don’t worry; we have covered them below.
What causes code P0353?
Code P0353 is usually caused by an issue with the ignition coil and ECM. However, a problem with other things associated with the ignition call can also result in the production of this code. Below are the main things you should check and fix when it appears.
1. Faulty ignition coil C
The ignition coil C can wear out after some time resulting in code P0353. But it can also be damaged by vibrations and excess heat. A bad ignition coil won’t convert low electric voltage from the battery into a high voltage needed by the spark plugs. Therefore, you must check it for damages when you get code P0353. One way of diagnosing it is by using a multimeter. If the multimeter reads less than 0.4 ohms or more than 2 ohms, you have a faulty ignition coil.
2. The ignition control circuit is bad
If you can’t find an issue with the ignition coil, you should check the ignition control circuit for things such as electric shorts, damaged wires, and corrosion. Remember that the ignition coil has two circuits that need to be checked. They are the primary and secondary circuits. Like in the case of a faulty ignition coil, you can also test if the ignition control circuit is fine by using a multimeter.
All you have to do is test its resistance. If the reading for the primary circuit is 0 ohms or above the range specified by your Ford manual, you have a faulty circuit. Similarly, if the reading for the secondary circuit is below 6,000 ohms or above 15,000 ohms, you have a bad circuit.
3. Bad battery cable
The ignition coil circuit receives voltage from the battery. If such voltage is below 12 volts, there is an issue with the cable supplying it. The wiring could either be broken or corroded. Unfortunately, these issues can only be manually checked, which is a tedious and time-consuming process.
4. The connector locks are broken
The connector locks play a crucial role in the ignition system. They link the cable coming from the battery to the ignition circuit. When the connector locks break down, the wires will get loose. This will result in low or no voltage supply to the circuit or the ignition coils. Luckily, a broken connector lock can easily be spotted.
5. Defective ignition coil connector
Individual ignition cables are connected to the circuit via a coil connector. This connector will wear out over time. But exposure to water and air can accelerate their degradation. A defective ignition coil connector will affect the performance of the ignition coil resulting in the production of code P0353.
6. Malfunctioned ECM
It is rare for the ECM to malfunction. However, when it does, it results in the production of various codes. Many things can make the ECM go bad. For instance, the ECM can develop bugs that will produce code P0353 even when everything else is fine. The ECM can also go wrong when the engine’s fuel solenoid goes bad due to old age or corrosion. A malfunctioned ECM will cause many noticeable severe problems in the car. As such, you can quickly tell when it has gone faulty.
How to fix code P0353
You can resolve code P0353 by fixing the above issues causing it. Remember that fixing them requires some technical knowledge that you may not have. Therefore, you should consider taking your vehicle to a repair shop when you feel the process will be challenging. But if you choose to solve the issue yourself, try the following solutions.
1. Replace the ignition coil C
If you find out that the ignition coil C is bad, replacing it is the only option. Unfortunately, the procedure for replacing it is very long. Hence if you are pressed with time, you should take your Ford to a mechanic shop.
2. Replace the battery cable
Once you identify that the battery cable is defective, you should try to replace it immediately. The process is pretty straightforward. But you should disconnect the wires at the point where they connect to the battery to avoid getting electrocuted.
3. Install new connector locks
To make the wires firm at the point where they connect to the ignition circuit, you should replace the connector locks.
4. Fix the ignition control circuit
Once you confirm that the ignition control circuit is defective, try fixing it as soon as possible. Although it’s possible to repair it, the cost may exceed the price of a new one. Hence you should just replace it.
5. Repair or replace the ignition coil connector
Depending on the damage’s extent, you can repair or replace the ignition coil connector. However, since it’s an essential component, it may be better to replace it.
6. Fix the ECM
If the issue with the ECM is a bug, rebooting it will eradicate code P0353. Your Ford’s manual will give you the steps to follow when doing so. But if the ECM is damaged, it must be repaired immediately. However, fixing it may be beyond your expertise; hence you should consider taking it to a specialist.
Can you drive with code P0353?
Since code P0353 mainly implies an issue with the ignition coil C, it’s possible to drive with it for some distance. However, if you start observing all the above symptoms at once, you must cancel your journey and start diagnosing what is causing it.
To summarize,
Code P0353 in your Ford vehicle is shown in the OBD II system when the ECM detects that ignition coil C is not working correctly. Many things can cause code P0353. They include a faulty ignition coil, bad battery cable, defective ignition control circuit, broken connector locks, malfunctioned ECM, etc. Also, code P0353 is associated with symptoms such as the illuminated check engine light, lousy fuel economy, and reduced engine performance. Fortunately, this code is not usually serious; hence you don’t have to panic when you get it. However, you must follow the above fixes to prevent the issue from going from bad to worse.