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P2322 – Ignition Coil H Primary Control Circuit High (OBD2)

P2322 means "Ignition Coil H Primary Control Circuit High". The voltage in the ignition coil circuit is above the permitted maximum. For most sensors this points to an open signal or ground wire – the signal "floats" up to the reference voltage – or to a short to voltage.

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P2322 quick summary

Fault codeP2322
MeaningIgnition Coil H Primary Control Circuit High
SystemPowertrain (Engine & Transmission)
VehiclesGeneric OBD2
SeverityHigh
Can I drive?Only gently. A dead coil means one cylinder is not firing, which causes misfires and can overheat the catalytic converter. Fix it as soon as possible.
Repair cost€20 – €300

How the ignition coil circuit is monitored

The ignition coil turns the 12 V supply into the very high voltage needed for the spark; these codes mean the control unit has detected a fault in a coil's primary or secondary circuit.

Most modern petrol engines have one coil per cylinder (coil-on-plug). The engine control unit switches the primary side of each coil on and off; when the current is interrupted, the coil produces tens of thousands of volts on the secondary side to fire the spark plug.

The control unit monitors the primary circuit – and on some engines feedback from the secondary side. If a coil draws no current, too much current, or the expected feedback is missing, it stores a coil code. Coil A usually corresponds to cylinder 1, B to cylinder 2 and so on, but the order can differ between manufacturers.

A coil circuit fault normally causes a misfire on that cylinder as well. Common causes are a failed coil, a damaged connector, a broken wire or a problem with the shared coil supply fuse or relay.

Ignition coil H is the 8. coil in the control unit's internal order. On most engines coil A belongs to cylinder 1, B to cylinder 2 and so on – but confirm it with the wiring diagram.

Symptoms of P2322

  • Check Engine light, often flashing
  • Misfire codes for the same cylinder
  • Engine shakes, especially under load
  • Loss of power
  • Fuel smell from the exhaust

Most common causes of P2322 (most likely first)

Mechanic's Pro Tip

Oil in the spark plug wells is a coil killer. If you find oil when removing a coil, replace the valve cover or spark plug well seals at the same time – otherwise the new coil will fail again.

  1. 1.Open circuit in the signal or ground wire

    Most likely

    A loose ground connection is a very common cause.

  2. 2.Signal wire shorted to the 5 V reference or battery voltage

  3. 3.Faulty ignition coil

  4. 4.Damaged coil connector or wiring

    Brittle plastic clips break and the connector loosens.

  5. 5.Worn spark plug with a large gap

    A plug that needs very high voltage overloads the coil and can damage it.

  6. 6.Fault in the control unit's coil driver

    Rare; sometimes caused by a shorted coil.

Step-by-step diagnostic guide

  1. 1

    Read codes

    Read all codes and note which coil and cylinder are affected. Several coil codes at once point to the shared supply, ground or fuse.

  2. 2

    Check signal and ground

    With the ignition on and the ignition coil plugged in, back-probe the signal and ground wires. A signal stuck at reference or battery voltage points to an open ground/signal wire or a short to voltage.

    Multimeter: Ground wire to battery negative: below about 0.1 V. Signal stuck at about 5 V (or 12 V) = open or short to voltage.

  3. 3

    Inspect the coil and spark plug well

    Remove the coil and look for cracks, burn marks and oil in the spark plug well. Check the spark plug condition and gap.

  4. 4

    Swap the coil

    Swap the coil with another cylinder and clear the codes. If the code follows the coil, replace it.

  5. 5

    Check supply and control wires

    With the ignition on, check the coil supply voltage and the ground. Check the control wire to the engine control unit for continuity and shorts.

    Multimeter: Supply: battery voltage with the ignition on. Primary resistance on coils with two-pin primary access: typically below about 1 Ω (many modern coils have built-in electronics and cannot be measured this way).

  6. 6

    Replace and clear

    Replace the faulty coil (and worn plugs), fix any oil leak into the plug wells, then clear the codes and confirm no misfires.

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep driving with P2322?

Only gently. A dead coil means one cylinder is not firing, which causes misfires and can overheat the catalytic converter. Fix it as soon as possible.

How much does it cost to fix P2322?

Typical repair costs are 20 € – 300 €, depending on the cause and the vehicle. The most common fixes are: open circuit in the signal or ground wire; signal wire shorted to the 5 V reference or battery voltage; faulty ignition coil. Always confirm the cause with the tests above before buying parts.

Which ignition coil is coil A?

On most engines coil A is cylinder 1, coil B cylinder 2 and so on. Some manufacturers use a different order, so check the wiring diagram or swap test before buying parts.

Should I use original or aftermarket coils?

OE-supplier coils (for example from Bosch, Beru, NGK or Delphi) are a safe choice. Very cheap unbranded coils often fail quickly or cause new misfires.

What is the difference between P2322 and similar codes?

P2322 belongs to a group of codes for the same component that differ in the type or location of the fault: P2317 – Ignition Coil F Secondary Circuit; P2318 – Ignition Coil G Primary Control Circuit Low; P2319 – Ignition Coil G Primary Control Circuit High; P2320 – Ignition Coil G Secondary Circuit; P2321 – Ignition Coil H Primary Control Circuit Low; P2323 – Ignition Coil H Secondary Circuit. The tests on this page apply to the whole group; the type of fault tells you where to start.

Related fault codes

This guide is for information only. Working on vehicles can be dangerous — if you are unsure, have the car checked by a qualified mechanic. Values can differ between model years; always check the manufacturer's repair information.