P0353 on Pontiac
Ignition Coil C Primary/Secondary Circuit Malfunction
P0353 on Pontiac vehicles indicates ignition coil c primary/secondary circuit malfunction. Au7o has documented this code across 1 Pontiac model — most commonly on Firebird. This is an ignition/engine code. An ignition coil converts the battery's low voltage into the high voltage needed to create a spark at the plug. P0353 means the engine computer detected a fault in the primary or secondary circuit of ignition coil 'C' — the expected feedback when the coil is commanded to fire is missing or abnormal. Typical effects are a misfire, rough idle, hesitation, or loss of power, and a prolonged misfire can overheat and damage the catalytic converter. Typical repair costs on Pontiac range from $400 to $1,000, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Common Causes of P0353
- •Failed ignition coil 'C'
- •Damaged wiring or corroded connector at the coil
- •Open or short in the coil primary/secondary circuit
- •Worn or fouled spark plug adding load to the coil
- •Poor power or ground supply to the coil
- •Faulty ignition driver in the ECM (less common)
P0353 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 P0353 across all makes →Frequently Asked Questions
What does P0353 mean on Pontiac?▼
P0353 stands for "Ignition Coil C Primary/Secondary Circuit Malfunction." This is an ignition/engine code. An ignition coil converts the battery's low voltage into the high voltage needed to create a spark at the plug. P0353 means the engine computer detected a fault in the primary or secondary circuit of ignition coil 'C' — the expected feedback when the coil is commanded to fire is missing or abnormal. Typical effects are a misfire, rough idle, hesitation, or loss of power, and a prolonged misfire can overheat and damage the catalytic converter. On Pontiac specifically, this code is documented across 1 model.
What causes P0353 on Pontiac vehicles?▼
Common causes on Pontiac: Failed ignition coil 'C', Damaged wiring or corroded connector at the coil, Open or short in the coil primary/secondary circuit, Worn or fouled spark plug adding load to the coil, Poor power or ground supply to the coil. Specific causes vary by model and year — see the per-model sections below.
How much does it cost to fix P0353 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 P0353 documented?▼
Au7o has documented P0353 on 1 Pontiac model: Firebird.