P1368 — Ignition Coil D Secondary Circuit Malfunction

OBD2 code P1368 flags a problem with the ignition system (ignition coil d secondary circuit malfunction). Short, gentle driving to a shop is usually possible. Common culprits: failed ignition coil or coil pack, worn spark plugs or wrong plug gap, faulty ignition control circuit in the ECM.

For Ford vehicles

ignition spare or ignition system failure group 2 Jaguar

powertrain (engine/transmission)

Is it safe to drive?

Drive with caution Drive with caution and avoid load. Ignition faults cause misfires that quickly overheat and destroy the catalytic converter; if the Check Engine Light flashes, stop and fix it first.

How to diagnose with an OBD scanner

Read the code and freeze frame Connect an OBD2 scanner, confirm P1368 is stored, and save the freeze frame data — it shows engine conditions when the fault was detected.
Check for companion codes and TSBs Related codes often reveal the real root cause. Also check manufacturer technical service bulletins (TSB) for your make and model — many P0xxx issues have factory fixes or software updates. Search by VIN on the manufacturer site or nhtsa.gov.
Inspect wiring and connectors Visually inspect the wiring harness and connectors related to the ignition system for damage, corrosion, chafing or poor contact.
Subsystem check Run the module's actuator test for the ignition coil d secondary if your scanner supports it — a component that does not respond to a direct command is confirmed faulty.
Subsystem check Swap the coil to another cylinder and see if the fault code follows it.
Subsystem check Inspect spark plugs for wear, oil or carbon tracks and check plug gaps.
Verify the repair Clear the code, complete a full drive cycle including the conditions from the freeze frame, and confirm P1368 does not return.

Approximate repair cost

Repair cost depends on which component actually failed. Typical scenarios for P1368 (parts and labor, USD, independent shop rates): Replace spark plugs: $90–$250; Replace an ignition coil: $150–$380; Repair coil wiring or connector: $80–$250. Overall, fixing P1368 usually costs between $80 and $380. An accurate diagnosis before buying parts saves money — the most expensive scenario is rarely the first one to check.

Common questions

How much does it cost to fix P1368?

Replace spark plugs — $90–$250; Replace an ignition coil — $150–$380; Repair coil wiring or connector — $80–$250. Exact cost depends on the root cause, your vehicle and local labor rates — a proper diagnosis is the cheapest first step.

How do I diagnose P1368 myself?

Start with a scan: confirm P1368, save the freeze frame and note any companion codes. Then inspect the wiring and connectors related to the ignition coil d secondary, and verify the suspect component against live data before buying parts.

Will P1368 clear itself?

Sometimes P1368 clears after a few drive cycles if the fault was intermittent — for example a loose connector or a tank of bad fuel. The underlying cause usually remains, so the code tends to return. Clear it once; if it comes back, diagnose rather than erase it repeatedly.

What are the symptoms of P1368?

Drivers most often notice: loss of power and jerking, misfires under load or at idle, increased fuel consumption, hard starting, especially in damp weather.

What is the most common cause of P1368?

The most common causes are: failed ignition coil or coil pack, worn spark plugs or wrong plug gap, faulty ignition control circuit in the ECM.

When your engine control unit decides to store trouble code P1368, it's telling you something specific went wrong with cylinder D's ignition system. More precisely, P1368 indicates an ignition coil D secondary circuit malfunction — meaning the computer's self-test of that coil's secondary winding or its control circuitry failed. This isn't a simple open or short circuit code; the term "malfunction" means the problem could live inside the coil itself, in the wiring connecting it to the computer, or even within the engine control module's driver circuit.

The Powertrain Control Module continuously monitors the ignition system while you drive. It expects to see specific voltage patterns when the coil fires. When those patterns don't match expectations across multiple drive cycles, P1368 gets stored and the Check Engine Light illuminates. The module also saves freeze frame data alongside the code — a snapshot showing engine RPM, load, temperature, and vehicle speed at the exact moment the fault occurred. That snapshot is your best starting point because it tells you under what conditions the problem appears.

Unlike some codes that point directly at a single suspect, P1368 requires methodical diagnosis. The fault could be as simple as a cracked spark plug boot letting moisture in, or as complex as an internal coil winding failure. This is why the diagnostic approach matters — jumping straight to expensive part replacements rarely solves the problem the first time.

Symptoms of P1368

Noticeable loss of engine power, especially when accelerating or under load
Rough running or jerking sensations during acceleration
Misfires that may occur at idle, under load, or during highway cruising
Fuel economy dropping noticeably compared to normal
Difficult starting, particularly in damp or rainy conditions
Check Engine Light remaining solid or flashing depending on severity

Common Causes

The most likely culprits are the ignition coil and its associated wiring:

Failed ignition coil or coil pack for cylinder D
Damaged wiring or corroded connectors in the coil circuit
Moisture or oil contamination in the spark plug well
Worn or improperly gapped spark plugs
Control module driver failure or software calibration issue
Faulty ignition control signal from the ECM
Wiring harness damage causing intermittent opens or shorts

How to Diagnose P1368

Connect an OBD2 scanner and confirm P1368 is stored. Download the freeze frame data immediately — this shows exactly what the engine was doing when the fault triggered and guides your testing.
Check for related diagnostic trouble codes. Codes appearing alongside P1368 often point to the root cause. For example, multiple cylinder misfire codes with P1368 suggests a shared problem like low fuel pressure or a vacuum leak rather than a single coil failure.
Perform a visual inspection of the ignition coil D wiring, connector, and spark plug well. Look for cracked boots, oil seeping past the valve cover gasket, corrosion on terminals, or chafed insulation on wires.
If your scan tool supports actuator tests, command the ignition coil D secondary to activate. No response confirms the circuit is dead. You can also swap the suspected coil with a known-good cylinder — if P1368 moves to the other cylinder, the coil is faulty.
Remove and inspect the spark plugs. Check for wear, carbon fouling, oil deposits, or incorrect gap. Spark plugs showing signs of moisture damage or tracking indicate the coil boot is compromised.
Clear the code and complete a drive cycle that reproduces the freeze frame conditions — specific RPM, load, and temperature ranges. If P1368 returns, you have confirmed an active fault rather than an intermittent condition.

Repair Options and Costs

Repairs for P1368 vary significantly depending on what actually failed:

Spark plug replacement: $90–$250
Ignition coil replacement: $150–$380
Wiring or connector repair: $80–$250

Labor rates at independent shops typically run $75–$125 per hour. Spark plug replacement takes 30–60 minutes, coil replacement 1–2 hours, and wiring repairs vary widely depending on accessibility and damage extent.

The total cost to fix P1368 typically falls between $80 and $380 when using an independent repair shop. Most cases resolve with a single component replacement — usually the coil or spark plugs. Diagnosing before buying parts prevents wasting money on unnecessary parts, since the most expensive repair is rarely the correct one.

Can You Drive With P1368?

Drive with caution. An active ignition misfire from P1368 can push unburned fuel into the exhaust, where it overheats and destroys the catalytic converter over time. If the Check Engine Light is flashing rather than solid, stop driving immediately — continued operation risks major exhaust system damage. Get the issue diagnosed within a few days and repaired before any long trips.