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.
Best-selling code reader on Amazon. Reads and clears check engine codes on any 1996+ vehicle. Under $30.
Essential for diagnosing sensor codes, checking voltage, and testing circuits. Under $15 and pays for itself on the first job.
Affiliate links — we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Common Symptoms
- Check Engine Light on (may flash if the misfire is severe)
- Misfire on cylinder 11
- Rough idle and reduced power
- Hesitation under acceleration
Probable Causes (Ranked by Likelihood)
- 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
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
Step-by-Step Diagnostic Procedure
-
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.
-
It is a circuit code, not a confirmed bad coil — test the driver signal (AC Hz) at the coil connector before condemning the coil.
-
Swap the cylinder-11 coil with a known-good coil and see if the fault follows.
-
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
Commonly Affected Vehicles
- Mercedes-Benz V12 (S600, CL600, SL600, S65/CL65 AMG)
- BMW V12 (750iL, 760i/Li, Rolls-Royce)
- Jaguar / Aston Martin / Ferrari / Lamborghini V12
Related Codes
Explore More
Was this helpful?
Send this to whoever is fixing the car — your mechanic, or the person asking what the light means.