P0351 on Pontiac
Ignition Coil A Primary/Secondary Circuit Malfunction
P0351 on Pontiac vehicles indicates ignition coil a primary/secondary circuit malfunction. Au7o has documented this code across 1 Pontiac model — most commonly on Firebird. P0351 indicates the engine computer found a fault in the primary or secondary circuit of ignition coil 'A' (typically the coil for cylinder 1 or the first coil in the firing system). The PCM monitors the coil's control circuit, and when the electrical feedback doesn't match what it expects during firing, it sets this code. Because the coil creates the high-voltage spark, this often causes a misfire, rough idle, hesitation, or loss of power. It is a circuit/component fault for one specific coil rather than a general engine problem. Typical repair costs on Pontiac range from $400 to $1,000, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Common Causes of P0351
- •Failed or weak ignition coil
- •Damaged or corroded coil connector or pigtail
- •Broken or shorted wiring in the coil control circuit
- •Loss of power feed or ground to the coil
- •Worn or fouled spark plug overloading the coil
- •Failed coil driver inside the PCM/ECM
P0351 on Pontiac by Model
Pontiac Firebird(1 issue)
- Firebird LT1 Optispark Distributor Failure1993-1997
1993-1997 Firebird/Trans Am with the LT1 5.7L V8 (same engine in Camaro Z28, Corvette C4, and some Buick Roadmaster/Caprice/Impala SS) suffers infamous Optispark distributor failure. The distributor sits at the front of the engine behind the water pump — coolant leaks from the water pump (or condensation from the front of the engine) drip directly into the Optispark and short the optical sensors. Symptoms: misfire, no-start, rough running in wet weather.
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View P0351 across all makes →Frequently Asked Questions
What does P0351 mean on Pontiac?▼
P0351 stands for "Ignition Coil A Primary/Secondary Circuit Malfunction." P0351 indicates the engine computer found a fault in the primary or secondary circuit of ignition coil 'A' (typically the coil for cylinder 1 or the first coil in the firing system). The PCM monitors the coil's control circuit, and when the electrical feedback doesn't match what it expects during firing, it sets this code. Because the coil creates the high-voltage spark, this often causes a misfire, rough idle, hesitation, or loss of power. It is a circuit/component fault for one specific coil rather than a general engine problem. On Pontiac specifically, this code is documented across 1 model.
What causes P0351 on Pontiac vehicles?▼
Common causes on Pontiac: Failed or weak ignition coil, Damaged or corroded coil connector or pigtail, Broken or shorted wiring in the coil control circuit, Loss of power feed or ground to the coil, Worn or fouled spark plug overloading the coil. Specific causes vary by model and year — see the per-model sections below.
How much does it cost to fix P0351 on a Pontiac?▼
Repair costs on Pontiac range from $400 to $1,000, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Which Pontiac models have P0351 documented?▼
Au7o has documented P0351 on 1 Pontiac model: Firebird.