P2302 code meaning
Ignition Coil A Secondary Circuit
Powertrain system Generic code P23xx codes Check engine light
What P2302 means
P2302 looks at the high-voltage side of coil A – the secondary winding, the trunk and the spark plug of cylinder 1 – rather than at the control line covered by P2300 and P2301. Only a few makers use it. FCA does on the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 in 2015–2016 Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country vans, where the code name speaks of too little ionization on the secondary side of coil 1: the module judges combustion from the ion current across the plug gap, and a weak signal means the spark did not light the mixture properly. Bulletin 18-069-16 replaced the PCM on vans built between 27 July and 11 September 2015. Ford, by contrast, leaves even primary winding faults of its coil-mounted drivers to the misfire monitor, so they show up as P0301 or P0300. If misfire reaches a catalyst-damaging rate, CARB requires a flashing MIL.
P2302 at a glance
- Check engine lightYes, usually on
- Emissions testCan fail
- Limp modePossible
- Repair difficultyMedium, DIY possible
- Typical labor0.3 to 3 hours
- Clears after repairAfter a drive cycle
Symptoms of P2302
- Check engine light on
- Misfire on cylinder 1, often together with P0301
- Rough idle and hesitation
Common causes of P2302
- Most likelyWorn or fouled spark plug in cylinder 1, gap too wide
- PossibleCracked coil trunk letting the spark jump to the cylinder head
- PossibleSecondary winding of coil A breaking down
- Less likelyIon-sense evaluation in the PCM (FCA 18-069-16: PCM replaced)
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Ignition coilSpark plugSpark plug wire
What each part of P2302 means
| P | Powertrain system: engine, fuel system, ignition, emissions and transmission. |
| 2 | Generic code (second SAE range): it means the same on every make. |
| 3 | Area: ignition system or misfire. |
| 02 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note P2302 and any other codes stored with it: several codes together often point to one cause.
- Check for loose connectors and damaged wiring around the parts the code names.
- Check open recalls for your car: some faults are fixed for free by the dealer. Enter your VIN.
- Clear the code only after the repair. If it comes back, the fault is still there.
Buying a used car? Scan it for stored codes before you pay. A recently cleared memory can hide a problem.
Questions about P2302
What does P2302 mean?
P2302 means "Ignition Coil A Secondary Circuit". P2302 looks at the high-voltage side of coil A – the secondary winding, the trunk and the spark plug of cylinder 1 – rather than at the control line covered by P2300 and P2301. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with P2302?
Drive gently and only to a workshop. With P2302 the car can go into limp mode (reduced power) to protect itself.
Will P2302 fail an emissions test?
Yes, it can. P2302 is emissions-related, so most inspection programs fail a car while it is stored or while the check engine light is on.
How hard is P2302 to fix?
Difficulty: medium. A typical repair takes 0.3 to 3 hours of work. A careful DIY repair is possible with basic tools and a scanner.
Will P2302 clear itself after the repair?
After the repair the car has to complete a drive cycle (a mix of city and highway driving) before the test runs again. Until then the readiness monitor shows "not ready", which can fail an inspection.