AutoFixDB - Free OBD-II diagnostic trouble code lookup. Find causes, symptoms, diagnostic steps and repair solutions.

Overview

OBD-II DTC P035A ignition E control signal circuit open or range/performance error for ignition coil E primary/secondary circuit.

Common Symptoms

Check Engine Light illuminated
Engine misfire (especially on corresponding cylinder)
Rough idle
Reduced engine power or hesitation

Most Common Causes

Faulty ignition coil E medium

Ignition coil failure can cause the control signal circuit to be outside expected range or open.

Wiring harness damage or open circuit medium

Broken, shorted or corroded wiring/connectors for ignition coil E control signal.

Poor power supply or ground to coil circuit medium

Low battery voltage or poor ground may trigger this code even when coil is okay.

Faulty engine control module (ECM) low

Rare but possible if ECM driver for coil E is defective after wiring and coil tests.

Diagnostic Steps

Retrieve DTCs and freeze frame data with OBD-II scanner

Expected: P035A present and note any related misfire or ignition codes

Interpretation: Confirm primary issue is P035A and capture conditions when set.
Perform visual inspection of ignition coil E and associated wiring/connectors

Expected: No broken wires, corrosion, loose pins or burned insulation

Interpretation: Damaged wiring/connector requires repair before further testing.
Test continuity and resistance of ignition coil E primary/secondary circuits

Expected: Resistance within manufacturer spec, continuity present

Interpretation: Out-of-spec suggests a faulty coil.
Check power supply and ground to coil E circuit with multimeter

Expected: Proper voltage and ground present during cranking

Interpretation: Missing power/ground indicates wiring or fuse/relay issue.
If wiring and coil test good, test ECM driver signal

Expected: ECM outputs pulsed control signal to coil E

Interpretation: Absence may indicate ECM driver fault (low confidence).

Repair Solutions

Replace faulty ignition coil E medium

Estimated Cost: $50 - $200

Cost depends on vehicle and whether coil-on-plug.

Repair or replace damaged wiring/connectors medium

Estimated Cost: $20 - $150

Depends on extent of harness damage.

Ensure proper power and grounds (fuse/relay repair) easy

Estimated Cost: $0 - $50

Basic electrical check and repair.

Replace ECM (if coil driver confirmed faulty) hard

Estimated Cost: $400 - $1200

Rare; only after eliminating all other causes.

Common Misdiagnoses

Avoid these common diagnostic mistakes:

Confusing P035A with P0351 (coil A), as generic P035x codes vary by manufacturer

Frequently Asked Questions

Technical definition of P035A OBD-II Code

Ignition E Control Signal Circuit/Open is the standard definition for P035A. This diagnostic code is triggered when the ECU detects a problem in the Ignition.

Is it safe to drive with a P035A code?

With a severity level of medium, may cause misfires, rough idle, poor performance or engine hesitation if the ignition circuit for coil E is compromised.

What are the symptoms of P035A?

The most typical signs are: Check Engine Light illuminated, Engine misfire (especially on corresponding cylinder), Rough idle.

What causes the P035A code?

It can be caused by several factors, most notably: Faulty ignition coil E, Wiring harness damage or open circuit, Poor power supply or ground to coil circuit.

What is the price difference for fixing P035A?

It depends on what needs to be fixed. Ensure proper power and grounds (fuse/relay repair) repairs are cheaper (~$50), while Replace ECM (if coil driver confirmed faulty) repairs are on the higher end (~$1200).

Is P035A a generic or manufacturer-specific code?

The P035A code is a generic powertrain code, meaning it applies to almost all makes and models, such as Honda, Toyota, VW, Ford, and Chevy.

P035A: Ignition E Control Signal Circuit/Open