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Coil-on-plug failures usually swap with the cylinder. Move coil E to a different cylinder and rescan - if the misfire follows the coil, you have your answer. Replace one bad coil and inspect the rest, since they tend to fail in waves. See ignition coils on Amazon ↗
🗺️ Where Is the Problem?
Blueprint view - P0355 fault localized to cylinder #1 (spark plug, ignition coil, or fuel injector)
These are statistical causes across ALL vehicles - your exact car may rank differently
For example, on a Honda 4-cyl the downstream O2 sensor causes P0355 64% of the time, but on a GM 5.3L V8 the catalytic converter is the cause 71% of the time. Get a probability ranking built specifically for your year, make, model, and mileage.
🔎 Get the ranking for my exact car - $5.99 →
🎯 Top Causes & Probability
60%
#1 - Most Likely
Failed Ignition Coil (Cylinder 5)
The coil-on-plug for cylinder 5 has failed internally or developed a cracked boot, so the primary or secondary circuit no longer reads correctly. This is the most common P0355 cause and usually appears alongside a P0305 misfire code on the same cylinder.
🔩 Part
$25–$140
👨🔧 Labor
$40–$120
⚡ DIY Difficulty
Easy
25%
#2 - Check First
Damaged Coil Connector or Wiring
Heat soak in the engine bay melts the plastic on coil connectors and pins back-out of the housing. Carbon tracking inside the connector also mimics a bad coil. Inspect the connector before condemning the coil itself.
🔩 Part
$0–$30
👨🔧 Labor
$40–$80
⚡ DIY Difficulty
Easy
15%
#3 - Less Common
Bad PCM Ignition Driver
In rare cases the PCM driver that fires coil E has failed. Confirm with a scope on the coil control wire showing no firing pulse from the PCM with a known-good coil installed.
🔩 Part
$200–$900
👨🔧 Labor
$80–$200
⚡ DIY Difficulty
Hard
🚗 Most Affected Vehicles
🚦 Is It Safe to Drive?
P0355 should be repaired right away. A non-firing cylinder dumps raw fuel into the catalytic converter and can damage it permanently within a few hundred miles. If the engine shakes badly, do not drive - have the vehicle towed.
🔧 Step-by-Step Diagnosis
- Swap Coil E with Coil A - Move the cylinder 5 ignition coil to cylinder 1. Clear codes and drive. If P0351 sets instead of P0355, the coil is bad.
- Inspect the Coil Connector - Look for melted plastic, green corrosion, or backed-out pins on the connector. A loose pin can mimic a failed coil and a $5 connector pigtail repair can fix the issue.
📍 Find a Trusted Shop Near You
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Tips for Choosing a Shop
- Ask if they charge a diagnostic fee and whether it applies toward the repair
- Request a written estimate before approving any work
- Ask specifically about the part brand - OEM vs. aftermarket matters for this code
- Check Google reviews for recent mentions of the specific repair you need