Ignition Coil 'K' (Cylinder 11) Primary/Secondary Circuit
The P0361 code means the vehicle's onboard diagnostic system has detected: Ignition Coil 'K' (Cylinder 11) Primary/Secondary Circuit. This is a moderate severity code.
- Keep driving?
- Short distances only
- DIY difficulty
- moderate
- Estimated cost
- $60-$300 for a quality coil on most V12s; more if the cause is wiring or the PCM driver. Use OEM or Denso/NGK/Beru — cheap no-name coils fail fast in a hot V12 engine bay.
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What Are the Symptoms of P0361?
- Check Engine Light on (may flash if the misfire is severe)
- Misfire on cylinder 11
- Rough idle and reduced power
- Hesitation under acceleration
What Causes P0361? (Most Likely First)
- Failed ignition coil (coil-on-plug) on cylinder 11 High
- Damaged connector or wiring on the cylinder-11 coil-driver circuit Moderate
- PCM coil-driver fault Low
- Fouled spark plug on cylinder 11 Low
Can I Still Drive with P0361?
Short distances only. P0361 is rated moderate severity. Keep trips short and get it diagnosed soon rather than waiting for symptoms to worsen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does P0361 only show up on V12 engines?
Ignition coils are lettered A=cylinder 1 through K=cylinder 11. P0361 is the cylinder-11 coil, so only engines with 11 or more cylinders (V12s) can set it. A 4-cylinder or V8 tops out at coil D or H.
Will replacing the coil fix it?
Often, but it's a circuit code — test the wiring and the driver signal first. If the coil checks out, look at the connector or the PCM coil driver before spending more.
What brand coil should I use?
On these German and exotic V12s, stick with OEM or Denso/NGK/Beru. Budget coils tend to fail quickly in the heat of a V12 engine bay, and coils are sometimes replaced in matched banks.
Mechanics Guide Step-by-step diagnosis
How Do You Diagnose P0361?
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Note: P0361 is the coil for cylinder 11, so it only occurs on V12 engines (Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Jaguar, and exotic V12s). Most 4/6/8-cylinder vehicles can never set it.
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It is a circuit code, not a confirmed bad coil — test the driver signal (AC Hz) at the coil connector before condemning the coil.
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Swap the cylinder-11 coil with a known-good coil and see if the fault follows.
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Inspect the connector and wiring for the cylinder-11 circuit for corrosion or damage.
Sources 2
This page is built from documented references. Verify against your own service info before repair work.
- SAE J2012Diagnostic Trouble Code Definitions (defines the generic OBD-II code ranges)
- Cross-checked against the SAE J2012:2002 DTC table (2026-08-27)archived scan of the SAE standard — readable copy, not SAE’s current edition
Which Vehicles Commonly Get P0361?
- Mercedes-Benz V12 (S600, CL600, SL600, S65/CL65 AMG)
- BMW V12 (750iL, 760i/Li, Rolls-Royce)
- Jaguar / Aston Martin / Ferrari / Lamborghini V12
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