CEL P0351 Ignition Coil "A" Primary Control Circuit/Open

[Syche]

Originally Posted by Kronos

I'm curious to know this as well.

I'm also wondering how people are lifting their engines to access plugs and coils easier. I assume you need some special tool or jack to lift the engine up?

There is some special service tools we use at work with my Impreza I'd jack it up and lower it onto a cinder block slowly it was all the lift I needed to access the plugs. With these cars I'd be at a lose with out the frs sst kit and a hoist ...


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[SPCorBUST]

Well, there is definitely a special tool that you can buy:

Whole Video (skip to 3:04)
[ame]http://youtu.be/XigfMHXJ8Gs[/ame]

However in my experience for the coils (which is what the thread is mainly about but has grown to include spark plugs) you do not need this, particularly for #3, which I did yesterday in ~20 minutes with just a 10mm socket, a ratchet and my fingers. I didn't move or jack anything.

[solidONE]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

I've gotten #1 and #2 a few times, will likely swap the coil packs this summer when I do the spark plugs for 60k.

Wait.. your #2 coil went out before your #3 coil? Or did you replace #3 already before you got P0352?

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by solidONE

Wait.. your #2 coil went out before your #3 coil? Or did you replace #3 already before you got P0352?

Yup, upon reviewing the pictures I've taken of the obd readings I've only roasted 1 & 2, I've gotten 4 codes two each of P0351 & P0352.

If you go back I mistakenly replaced #4 about two years ago, #1+2 got replaced last weekend so my #3 is OE after 4.5 years and 60k miles of abuse.

[Icecreamtruk]

Originally Posted by solidONE

Wait.. your #2 coil went out before your #3 coil? Or did you replace #3 already before you got P0352?

To add to this, my coil number 1 (P0351) has been replaced 3 times so far (so Im on my 4th coilpack) and all others are still the original ones, 4 years of track and some 45k miles after. I really have no idea specifically what kills them, aside that it seems to be heat related (but somehow it only affects one in my engine).

[MurderousPandas]

Originally Posted by Icecreamtruk

To add to this, my coil number 1 (P0351) has been replaced 3 times so far (so Im on my 4th coilpack) and all others are still the original ones, 4 years of track and some 45k miles after. I really have no idea specifically what kills them, aside that it seems to be heat related (but somehow it only affects one in my engine).

That specific location allows a lot of heat to build up, especially with the header right underneath it.

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[Icecreamtruk]

Originally Posted by MurderousPandas

That specific location allows a lot of heat to build up, especially with the header right underneath it.

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I figured. But after adding hood vents and wrapping the header, I would think they would last more than 3 track days.

[QTR FMS]

Originally Posted by Icecreamtruk

I figured. But after adding hood vents and wrapping the header, I would think they would last more than 3 track days.

i had a problem with my coils which turn out to be a bad connection with the main harness connector that i fix by spraying electronic contact cleaner on the connectors.
now i dont know if you have the same problem or not you can try to wiggle the main connector and see if the car missfire or not

[bhmax]

Haven't read through this thread in a while, but thought I'd add since I've had this code some. It has popped up mostly on track, while basically stock (with only 15-20k miles) and after Ace header/Delicious tune. I believe I've had it on the street some also, but I didn't have a computer to verify what the code was (hoping to do the Ecutek Bluetooth for this and to be able to log easier). I pulled the coils, without moving the engine (small hands). I wrapped the coils with some gold heat resistant tape and swapped them from one side of the engine to the other. Also used some dielectric grease in the process. So far so good with 2 track nights and some mountain driving. Three sessions at Memphis were on a hot day and there's a long straight there. Fingers crossed.

[Ragin Gti]

There's a new Subaru TSB(for just '13-'14, the '15 and up has the updated parts) involving replacing the entire engine wiring harness and all 4 ignition coils for this problem. They've updated the coils and harness to have a different type of connector.


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[Icecreamtruk]

Originally Posted by Ragin Gti

There's a new Subaru TSB(for just '13-'14, the '15 and up has the updated parts) involving replacing the entire engine wiring harness and all 4 ignition coils for this problem. They've updated the coils and harness to have a different type of connector.


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I think I found it, was towards the bottom of the list on the TSBs thread, thanks. Will do the checks I can (voltage on connectors at least) on the document, it would be nice if I could get rid of it once and for all, this code has been pestering me for a while now. I find it weird that changing the coilpack only fixes it for a couple of track days, it makes me think the problem is still in the coilpack itself and not the harness, altho what do I know anyways :P

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Ragin Gti

There's a new Subaru TSB(for just '13-'14, the '15 and up has the updated parts) involving replacing the entire engine wiring harness and all 4 ignition coils for this problem. They've updated the coils and harness to have a different type of connector.


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Which TSB? There was one that had nothing at all to do with the ignition coil issue and I just read the Toyota description of the issue from 2012 which just has the tech verify that the harness has no faults.

The latest coil pack part number for '13-'14 has the exact same connector as the original, I just installed two last week and all three part numbers in Subaru's system are listed as interchangeable.

[Icecreamtruk]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Which TSB? There was one that had nothing at all to do with the ignition coil issue and I just read the Toyota description of the issue from 2012 which just has the tech verify that the harness has no faults.

The latest coil pack part number for '13-'14 has the exact same connector as the original, I just installed two last week and all three part numbers in Subaru's system are listed as interchangeable.

This is the one I think

Edit: I ordered the last coilpack for toyota for 13-14 models (there has been 4 part numbers for it already). I also ordered the ones for 2016 models, dont know if it will fit or have different connections, but Im willing to take 1 to try it out. I will perform the tests listed on the TSB (as best I can, since I cant really lift the engine, whatever I can perform with my hands in there), but I feel like something else, like a shorting harness, is causing my coilpacks to fail. The engine is not hot at all after a session, and only 1 coilpack failing (and always the same) leads me to believe the burned coil is not the cause, but the result of something else.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Icecreamtruk

This is the one I think

That was last updated in March 2012, before the car even came out and has zero reference to new harness parts. It does involve testing the harness to ensure there are no faults in the wiring which is very useful information.

Aside from new part numbers for the coil packs to my knowledge there's nothing else the manufacturers have provided to reduce this happening. Maybe the updated parts are enough, maybe not. Fingers crossed from me and I look forward to hearing what you find out.

I do believe the '16 cars (and maybe '15's as well) changed connector types, but could be wrong. If that was a solution I would bet that there would be a TSB about upgrading the setup as it would be a real shit thing to do to not let techs/dealership/consumers know that this is a nearly 4-figure fix for the problem for a harness plus 4 coilpacks.

fwiw I changed all 4 spark plugs last week, you should be able to diagnose and swap without moving the engine I'd hope.