OBD-II Diagnostic Trouble Code
P0310 — Cylinder 10 Misfire Detected
P0310 means the ECM detected misfires on cylinder 10 by watching for irregular crankshaft speed during that cylinder's power stroke. It is seen mainly on V10 gas engines in medium-duty trucks, cutaways and motorhome chassis.
Severity 4/5
Truck-relevant
Stop within 50 mi
Severity
Stop within 50 mi
Cylinder 10 Misfire Detected
Code
P0310
Category
Powertrain
Subsystem
Ignition
Truck-relevant
Yes
What this means for truckers
Stop within ~50 miles on a Cummins X15, Detroit DD15, PACCAR MX-13. Driving longer risks damaging adjacent components (turbo housing, head gasket, aftertreatment) and turning a $300 fix into a $3,000 fix.
Before you replace parts — try this first
P0310 on the Ignition system is most often failed ignition coil or worn spark plug on cylinder 10 — not a dead part. On commercial diesels especially, work these in order before spending money on parts:
- Confirm the symptoms. Match what your truck is doing to the Symptoms section below. If the code is set but the symptoms are not there, clear the code and re-test after a drive cycle — it may not return.
- Clean and dry the sensor connector. Water, road salt, or oil seeping into a connector is the #1 fake sensor failure. Disconnect, look for green corrosion or moisture, spray with electrical contact cleaner, dry, reseat. Many faults clear here for $0.
- Inspect the wiring harness. Trace the wire from the sensor toward the ECM — look for chafing against the engine block, melted insulation near the turbo or exhaust, or pinch points where a clamp has rubbed through.
- Test the sensor before swapping it. Most Common Causes (below) list the expected voltage or resistance range — a $20 multimeter saves a $300 sensor swap that does not fix the problem.
- Only then, replace the part. Use the OEM or a tier-1 aftermarket. Cheap sensors throw the same code in two weeks.
Symptoms
Shaking at idle and under load, a check-engine light that may flash during heavy misfire, and loss of power, especially when towing or climbing. Fuel use goes up and the exhaust may smell of fuel. Continued driving can overheat the catalytic converter.
Common causes
- CommonFailed ignition coil or worn spark plug on cylinder 10 ($120–$400)
- OccasionalDamaged spark plug threads or a loose plug in the cylinder 10 head bore ($250–$1200)
- OccasionalFaulty fuel injector on cylinder 10 ($200–$600)
- OccasionalCoil or injector wiring or connector fault for cylinder 10 ($100–$400)
- RareLow compression from a burnt valve or head gasket leak on cylinder 10 ($1500–$5000)
How to fix
Swap the cylinder 10 coil with another cylinder and see if the misfire follows
When to use: First check
Remove and inspect the cylinder 10 spark plug and threads, and replace or repair as needed
When to use: When the coil is cleared or plugs are high mileage
Test injector resistance and pulse, and swap or replace the injector
When to use: When ignition is confirmed good
Run compression and leak-down tests on cylinder 10
When to use: When the misfire stays after fuel and ignition repairs
Affects most
No specific vehicle pattern found in our complaint database. This code can appear on any vehicle that supports OBD-II diagnostics.
Related
- → Browse all DTC trouble codes
- → Decode a VIN to check codes for your truck
- → Owner-operator maintenance guides
- → P0300 — Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected
- → P0301 — Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected
- → P0302 — Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected
- → P0303 — Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected
- → P0304 — Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with code P0310?
Drive with caution. P0310 is severity 4 — stop within ~50 miles. Most commercial diesel codes at this severity (turbo, fuel rail, transmission solenoid) can damage adjacent expensive components if left unrepaired. Get to a service location before highway-speed loads.
How much does it cost to fix P0310 on a commercial truck?
Total repair cost ranges $100–$5000 depending on the root cause. The cheapest fix is usually the first one listed below — Failed ignition coil or worn spark plug on cylinder 10 — which is also the most common. On commercial trucks the cost is usually higher than passenger vehicles due to part availability and shop labor rates ($120–185/hour at most truck shops, vs $90–130 at general auto shops). DIY-capable fixes (sensors, hoses, filters) are at the low end; major component replacements (turbo actuator, high-pressure fuel pump, transmission solenoid pack) are at the high end. Always diagnose with a scan tool BEFORE replacing parts — guessing wrong on a $1,500 turbo actuator when the actual issue was a $30 boost hose is a common expensive mistake.
Will P0310 fail a DOT inspection?
P0310 is generally not a direct DOT inspection fail item by itself. Inspectors focus on safety-critical systems (brakes, steering, tires, lights, hours-of-service). However, the check engine light alone can trigger additional inspection scrutiny. Best practice: fix the code and clear it before a planned inspection.
What's the difference between P0310 and related codes?
P0310 is closely related to: P0300 (Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected), P0301 (Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected), P0302 (Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected), P0303 (Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected). These codes share the same subsystem (ignition) and often appear together. If you see this code, scan for the full code list — fixing the root cause usually clears multiple companion codes at once. If only P0310 is set without the companions, the issue is more isolated.
How do I prevent P0310 from coming back after a repair?
For P0310 (Cylinder 10 Misfire Detected), prevention centers on the ignition system. Use OEM-spec injectors and spark plugs (gas). Address fuel quality issues immediately — bad fuel kills injectors. Cylinder balance test annually for early warning.