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DTC/P0356·Chevrolet

P0356 on Chevrolet: Causes, Symptoms and Fix Cost

Quick Answer
Moderate SeverityNot safe to driveChevrolet

P0356 on a Chevrolet means the engine computer detected an electrical fault in the primary or secondary circuit of ignition coil F, the coil for cylinder 6 on engines with one coil per cylinder. It can only appear on engines with six or more cylinders, such as inline sixes, V6s and V8s. A failed coil is the usual cause, with a worn plug, a damaged connector or chafed wiring next in line.

Typical repair cost, all makes€55 - €1500

Connect any standard Bluetooth OBD2 adapter to your Chevrolet and Skanyx tells you what P0356 means on that engine, whether it is safe to keep driving, and what the fix should cost. Free on iPhone and Android.

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What does P0356 mean on a Chevrolet?

The Quick Answer above is the generic definition. What follows is the model-specific detail for the Chevrolet models that log P0356.

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 5.3 V8 (Gen IV)

2007-2013

On the 5.3 V8, coil F fires cylinder 6, the third cylinder back on the passenger (right) bank (GM puts odd cylinders on the left, even on the right). The Gen IV engine uses coil-near-plug ignition, in which each coil feeds its plug through a short lead, so a burnt or arcing lead is worth ruling out alongside the coil. Cylinder 6 is also an Active Fuel Management cylinder: a P0306 misfire with no coil code can be a failed AFM lifter, but a P0356 points to the electrical side, so test the coil and its wiring first.

What causes P0356 on a Chevrolet?

Beyond the generic causes listed on the main P0356 page, these are the patterns noted for Chevrolet models:

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 5.3 V8 (Gen IV)Failed coil or burnt plug lead on cylinder 6
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 5.3 V8 (Gen IV)Worn spark plug on cylinder 6 overloading the coil

How to diagnose P0356 on a Chevrolet with OBD2

Follow these steps to pinpoint the root cause of P0356:

  1. Read all stored codes and the freeze frame. A cylinder 6 misfire code (P0306) stored alongside P0356 confirms the cylinder is really dropping out, not just logging an electrical glitch.
  2. Find cylinder 6 in the service data for your engine. Coil F follows the engine's own cylinder numbering, and on V engines that numbering differs from maker to maker.
  3. Remove the cylinder 6 coil and inspect the boot for cracks, carbon tracks or oil, and the connector for green corrosion, bent or pushed-back pins and a broken locking tab.
  4. Swap the cylinder 6 coil with the one from cylinder 4, clear the codes and drive. If the fault moves (P0356 becomes P0354), the coil is bad. If P0356 returns, look at the plug, connector and wiring.
  5. Pull the cylinder 6 spark plug and check the gap, electrode wear and any oil or fuel fouling. A worn plug makes the coil work harder and can kill a new coil quickly.
  6. Key on, engine off: confirm battery voltage at the coil supply pin against a good ground. While cranking, check that the engine computer is switching the trigger wire with an LED test light or an oscilloscope. Avoid an ordinary bulb test light, which can load the trigger circuit on coils with a built-in igniter.
  7. Follow the harness towards the engine computer looking for chafing, heat damage or rodent bites, especially where it runs over the back of the engine or close to the exhaust.
  8. If coil, plug, supply and wiring all pass, the coil driver in the engine computer is the remaining suspect. That needs a workshop with an oscilloscope and the wiring diagram.

How much does P0356 cost to fix on a Chevrolet? (EUR)

Estimated repair costs for P0356 in EUR, compiled across makes. Chevrolet costs typically sit in the middle of each range.

Repair Parts Cost Labor Cost Total Estimate DIY Difficulty
Replace ignition coil F (cylinder 6) only €25–€120 €30–€90 €55–€210 Easy
Replace coil F plus the spark plug on cylinder 6 €35–€150 €40–€120 €75–€270 Easy
Full coil set and spark plug set (on a V8, eight of each) €250–€900 €120–€350 €370–€1250 Moderate
Repair coil connector pigtail or harness section €10–€60 €60–€180 €70–€240 Moderate
Valve cover gasket (oil in the plug wells), one cylinder head; V engines at the upper end €60–€200 €110–€600 €170–€800 Moderate
Engine computer repair or replacement (failed coil driver, rare) €400–€1200 €100–€300 €500–€1500 Professional

Prices estimated as of March 2026. Costs vary by region, vehicle, and shop.

These codes are often seen alongside P0356 or point to related issues, on any make:

P0306P0300P0351P0353P0354P0355ChevroletP0357Chevrolet

Looking for the full P0356 reference (all makes, full diagnosis flow, complete repair cost matrix)?

See the main P0356 guide
Skanyx · Chevrolet

Diagnose P0356 on your Chevrolet

Your car logged P0356. Skanyx reads it on any standard Bluetooth OBD2 adapter, tells you whether it is safe to keep driving, and shows the €55-€1500 repair range so you know the number before a shop quotes you. Free on iPhone and Android, and you do not need to be a mechanic to read it.

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