What does it mean?
P1369 is a Powertrain (engine, transmission, fuel system) fault code. It indicates: Ignition coil/amplifier, cylinder 5 - short to ground . This is a standardised OBD-II code. The technical definition is the same regardless of the make or model of vehicle, although specific causes and symptoms can vary between vehicles.
Symptoms
- Cylinder 5 dead or misfiring badly, with pronounced vibration at idle
- Check engine light on and flashing under acceleration
- Marked loss of power and poor throttle response
- Strong exhaust smell of unburnt fuel and a risk of catalytic converter overheating
- Rough idle and hesitation that does not improve as the engine warms
Likely causes
- Control wire chafed to ground against the head, a bracket or a metal edge on the rear bank
- Coil or amplifier for cylinder 5 shorted internally to its case
- Oil or coolant in the plug well contaminating the connector and grounding the pins
- Harness insulation melted near an exhaust manifold or turbocharger, common at the back of the engine
- Terminal displaced in the connector, touching a grounded surface
- Broken harness clip allowing the loom to rest on a sharp casting edge
- Module coil driver damaged by the continuing short circuit
How to fix it
- Unplug the coil for cylinder 5 and measure resistance between the control wire and ground with the ignition off
- Inspect the plug well, boot and connector for oil, coolant and moisture, then clean and dry the area
- Test the coil between its control terminal and its body to reveal an internal ground fault
- Trace the harness on the rear bank carefully, checking clips, brackets and areas close to exhaust heat
- Repair damaged insulation and reroute or shield the loom so the fault cannot recur
- Confirm with a scope or test light that the control line switches after the repair
- Replace the coil or amplifier if it is shorted internally, then assess the module only if the circuit is proven clean