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P1353

IC Output High Pulse Detected When Grounded Cyl 3.

  • Oldsmobile
  • Powertrain
  • Manufacturer code
  • Medium severity

How this code is built

P
SystemPowertrain
1
Defined byThe manufacturer
3
AreaIgnition system or misfire
53
FaultThe specific fault in that area

What it means

On Oldsmobile (GM-based) vehicles, P1353 means the ignition control (IC) output for cylinder 3 showed a high pulse when the circuit should have been grounded. The engine control module monitors the IC signal it sends to the ignition module or coil driver for cylinder 3 and saw a voltage state that did not match the expected command. This points to a fault in the cylinder 3 ignition control circuit, the ignition module or coil, or the module itself.

Symptoms

  • Engine misfire or rough running, especially at idle
  • Illuminated check engine light
  • Hesitation or loss of power under acceleration
  • Poor fuel economy
  • Hard starting or intermittent stalling

Possible causes

  • Faulty ignition coil or ignition module/coil driver serving cylinder 3likely
  • Ignition control wiring for cylinder 3 shorted to voltage or chafed, or with a damaged insulationlikely
  • Corroded, loose or damaged connector at the coil, ignition module or control modulepossible
  • Poor ground connection for the ignition module or coil packpossible
  • Worn or incorrect spark plug or damaged plug lead on cylinder 3 causing abnormal coil loadpossible
  • Fault inside the engine control modulerare

How to diagnose

  1. Read all stored and pending codes and note the freeze frame data (engine speed, load, temperature) to see when the fault occurred
  2. Check for other ignition or misfire codes, which help show whether the problem is isolated to cylinder 3 or wider
  3. Visually inspect the cylinder 3 coil, plug lead, connectors and wiring for heat damage, chafing, corrosion or moisture
  4. Check the ignition module and coil grounds for security and low resistance
  5. Inspect the cylinder 3 spark plug for wear, fouling or incorrect gap, and compare with the other cylinders
  6. Check the IC circuit for cylinder 3 for shorts to voltage or ground and for continuity using the wiring diagram for the specific model and engine
  7. Swap the cylinder 3 coil or module component with a known good one, where the design allows, and see whether the fault follows it
  8. Check the control module's power, ground and output signal only after the wiring and ignition components have been proved good

How to fix

  • Replace the faulty ignition coil or ignition module for cylinder 3, following the correct procedure for that engine
  • Repair or replace damaged wiring in the cylinder 3 IC circuit
  • Clean or replace corroded or damaged connectors and terminals
  • Restore or repair poor ground connections
  • Fit the correct new spark plugs and, if damaged, replacement leads
  • Replace or reprogram the engine control module only if all other causes are ruled out and the fault is confirmed

Can I keep driving?

Medium severity

The car can usually be driven a short distance, but avoid long trips or heavy load. A continued misfire can overheat and damage the catalytic converter, so have it repaired soon.

Guide written by AI from the code's definition. Confirm with a diagnosis before replacing parts.

This code for other makes

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