P0301 - Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected
System
Powertrain (Engine & Gearbox)
Technical Description
The ECM detects consistent misfire events isolated specifically to Cylinder 1 via crankshaft rotational acceleration analysis.
Multimeter Test Points & Nominal Values
| Test Point / Component | Measurement | Nominal Target Range | Test Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cylinder 1 Coil Primary Resistance | Resistance (Ω) | 0.5 - 2.0 Ω | Disconnected coil at 20°C |
| Cylinder 1 Compression | Pressure (bar) | 11.0 - 14.5 bar | Warm engine, WOT cranking |
| Cylinder 1 Injector Resistance | Resistance (Ω) | 11.5 - 15.5 Ω | Disconnected injector |
Disconnected coil at 20°C
Warm engine, WOT cranking
Disconnected injector
Oscilloscope Waveform Analysis
500 µs/div, 50 V/divPossible Causes
Failed ignition coil on Cylinder 1
Worn or fouled spark plug on Cylinder 1
Clogged or failing fuel injector on Cylinder 1
Low compression on Cylinder 1 (valves or rings)
Symptoms
3
Recommended Solution
Swap coil from Cyl 1 to Cyl 2 – if fault moves to P0302, coil is defective.
Inspect spark plug 1.
Perform compression test on Cyl 1.
Mechanic's Tip
The coil swap test takes 2 minutes and provides absolute certainty without parts shotgunning!
Common Combinations
P0301 P0302 P2146 VW 1.6 TDI CAYC – Piezo Injector Short & Continental PCR2.1 Cloning
VOLKSWAGEN • 178 analyses
P0300, P0301, P0304 VW 2.0 TSI EA888 – Tändspolar & Misfire Cyl 1/4 Technical Diagnostic Guide
VOLKSWAGEN • 156 analyses
P0016, P0340, P0301 VW 1.2 TSI EA111 – Kamkedjesträckning & Kuggning Technical Diagnostic Guide
VOLKSWAGEN • 140 analyses