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Dodge Caravan 1999 3.3L V6 P0353 Misfire After Replacing Ignition Coil - Intermittent Rough Idle and Code Recurrence

Model: Dodge Caravan Fault Code: P0353 Posted: 2015-07-21 22:13

I own a 1999 Dodge Caravan SE with a 3.3L V6 engine, currently at 125,000 miles. The Check Engine light has been on intermittently since last year, showing code P0353 (Cylinder 3 misfire). Initially, the issue would resolve itself after a few days or driving periods, but recently the intervals between occurrences have shortened. After replacing the ignition coil, the problem persisted for about one week. The Check Engine light returned with the same symptoms: rough idle, especially after warm-up, and engine stalling during highway driving. When I restarted the vehicle, the rough idle would appear briefly—lasting less than a minute—and then the engine would smooth out. If I let it idle longer than that, it would recover. The issue only occurs after a warm start; it never appears when starting cold. Once the symptom resolves, there is typically a gap of several hours to a day before it returns. The rough running sometimes manifests while driving on highways, and if I allow the engine to stabilize, it recovers within one minute. On one occasion, attempting to accelerate caused the Check Engine light to flash—scan results showed multiple misfire events with a primary fault indicating Coil C failure (though the code was not captured at that time). I have inspected the wiring harness between the ignition coil and Powertrain Control Module (PCM), and found no visible damage. Resistance measurements from the coil terminals (A, B, C) to the PCM connector show 0 ohms for all connections and infinite resistance to ground—indicating a likely intact circuit. After replacing the spark plugs (Champion brand), I drove approximately 10 minutes, stopped at a grocery store, and upon restarting, the rough idle returned along with P0353. This suggests that the issue is not solely related to spark plug wear or gap. Given that the problem only occurs after warm-up and resolves after stabilization, I am considering whether the root cause lies in the ignition coil, wiring harness, or PCM itself. Since the symptoms are intermittent and have persisted despite replacing the coil and plugs, should I consider replacing the PCM next? What diagnostic steps can help isolate between these components? Any suggestions or testing procedures would be greatly appreciated.

Related fault codes

P0353

Comments (3)

Anonymous 2015-07-22 14:51

A quick assessment: Was this a new ignition coil? If so, was it an OEM (Chrysler) unit from the dealer or aftermarket like Advanced Auto Parts? Check terminal #3 on the coil connector—could be loose or damaged. Replacement connectors are available. Unlikely but worth checking: Spark plug condition and brand. Did symptoms appear before the coil replacement? Terminal #3 is located at the rear center position of the spark plug assembly—the secondary wire refers to the spark plug wire connecting that cylinder to the ignition coil. I suspect a wiring or coil pairing issue—specifically, the 3rd and 6th cylinders may have swapped secondary wiring. The most likely culprits are the ignition coil, wiring between the PCM and coil, or the PCM itself. I strongly advise against immediately replacing the PCM without further diagnostics. More details to follow if time permits.

Anonymous 2015-07-23 07:31

The ignition coil was a new OEM (Chrysler dealer-supplied) unit from Advanced Auto Parts. The connector appears secure and undamaged. I replaced the spark plugs with Champion brand—both old and new—and all look physically fine, though gaps were adjusted. I experienced the same issue yesterday shortly after starting the engine—never during cold starts. A rough idle appeared within seconds of startup, lasting less than a minute before resolving. The Check Engine light then activated and showed P0353. It would go off in a few days if no further symptoms occurred. The symptom pattern is identical to what I saw prior to replacing the coil and plugs. This issue appears to be specific to warm-up conditions, which makes me wonder whether other sensors (such as oxygen or knock sensors) could also play a role. However, given that the problem only affects cylinder 3 and occurs after warm start, it's more likely related to ignition system components rather than sensor faults.

Anonymous 2015-07-23 13:57

When 'OEM' is referenced, it typically means Chrysler dealer-supplied parts. Yes—the spark plug wire is the secondary ignition wire connecting the coil to the spark plug. I believe only cylinder #3's circuit is failing—though the engine uses a single ignition system with three coils. The Ignition Control Module (ICM) supplies 12V to all three coils, but only switches voltage back to the PCM for cylinder #3 during dwell time. If this current flow is incorrect, it may result in misfiring. A key test: With the KOEO connector fully tightened, all coil wires should be hot when powered. Perform a physical check—twist or shake the harness while the engine is off to see if continuity changes. As previously noted, the three most likely causes are: (1) ignition coil failure, (2) wiring from PCM to coil, and (3) PCM malfunction. Each coil powers two spark plugs—cylinder 3 and cylinder 6. A misfire in one cylinder may affect the other if wiring is swapped or faulty.