27 replies to this topic

[forceFEDmatrix]

So I got a CEL, and hooked up an OBD2 Reader to it. The codes pulled up were [P0300], [P0301], and [P0303]. Upon looking it up, I found that each code reads as follows..

P0300 - Multiple Cylinder Misfire
P0301 - Cylinder 1 Misfire
P0303 - Cylinder 3 Misfire

My first instinct was to check the spark plugs, and whadda ya know.. Black soot on the tips of plugs 1 and 3, and a small bit of oil on the 3rd spark plug. Now, I used to attend an automotive class where we did a wet compression test. However, that was roughly a month ago and the little squirt of oil should have burned off already. I replaced the plugs with all brand new Bosch Platinum Plus from Autozone, then unplugged my battery for 10 min. Started the car and let it idle for 15 minutes, and took the car for the test drive. No CEL! However, I stopped at a park for awhile, but when I came back to start the car.. CEL once again. I pulled up the code, and it reads exactly the same. The only major symptom I can note is that the car sometimes has a hard time starting. It will crank 4-6 times before it fires up. Anyone have any ideas?

[Twincharged&Auto]

What is your plug gap set to???

Edit:
No more turbo??????

Edited by Turbo&Auto, 01 June 2007 - 08:24 AM.

[wantin150]

Try this:

Showing Cyl 1 and 3 misfire.

Swap the coils on 1 and 3 to 2 and 4.

If the misfire follows, you need new coils.

[HaZzArD]

Turbo&Auto, on Jun 1 2007, 10:23 AM, said:

Edit:
No more turbo??????

yeah he removed it

[BlueCrush]

The only two times I had misfire codes is when my air intake tube came loose and unmetered air was getting in the engine and when I had a bad MAF sensor. So check those as well. Good Luck!

[Dex]

i think u need to buy my rims man haha

[gordbutt1]

Dex, on Jun 1 2007, 07:54 PM, said:

i think u need to buy my rims man haha

hahah

[yotatrix]

sounds like the ignition coil pack, had it go bad on my VW Beetle. car was literally shaking.

[forceFEDmatrix]

sort of an update, but more like a question..

using an OBD2 reader, i checked the code again and it only gave me a P0303 code, which indicates the 3rd cylinder alone is misfiring.. i havent tested switching the coils yet, but will attempt this weekend. do you think it may be the headgasket if i see oil in the spark plugs one more time? oh also..

is there anything negative if all of a sudden, the CEL starts blinking? today while driving to BART, i noticed the CEL just kept flashing the whole 10 min of driving i did. any thoughts on that?

HELP GUYS!

[steveo]

I thought a flashing CEL was knock?

[Madstyle]

Do a Checklist run thru...

http://www.trixology...05/dtcc4000.pdf

[Twincharged&Auto]

I've heard a clogged cat can do this too.

[wantin150]

Flashing CEL is usually BAD and the manual recommends not driving or serious engine damage could result. Sounds to me like the coil is shot.

If the headgasket is going, check the oil. If you have coolant in it, it's not good either.

[xrs06]

Check your coil pack. If they look anything like those 2, you need new ones:

http://s18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/xrs...ks_all4_349.jpg
http://s18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/xrs...sc01395_193.jpg

Good luck!

[yotatrix]

forceFEDmatrix, on Jun 5 2007, 07:58 AM, said:

sort of an update, but more like a question..

using an OBD2 reader, i checked the code again and it only gave me a P0303 code, which indicates the 3rd cylinder alone is misfiring.. i havent tested switching the coils yet, but will attempt this weekend. do you think it may be the headgasket if i see oil in the spark plugs one more time? oh also..

is there anything negative if all of a sudden, the CEL starts blinking? today while driving to BART, i noticed the CEL just kept flashing the whole 10 min of driving i did. any thoughts on that?

HELP GUYS!

sounds like we all hit this time once or another. The Coil pack is your problem. Aslo change Spark plugs after replacing coil pack, cause this will foul them up.
And another thing aren't we suppose to use Iridium plugs on our cars??? I used the NGK Iridium on my XRS and they work great.

The check engine light blinking is not good at all, I've been told this can eventually ruin other components like the cat, etc.. I had my VW Beetle towed to be repaired after check engine light was blinking and turned out it was one coilpack and plugs were replaced also.

Is your car running smooth or jittery like s**t. Also the fumes from the exhaust are probably very strong this is because of the plugs/coil fouling the fuel and igniton all up.
Hope this helps a little.

[Potter]

Well.. if you tryed changing the coils.... I would recommend that you change the knock sensor...
I saw this problem before on my cousin trix and we tryed everything.. (ecu, sparks, coils, etc)
The only thing left to test was the knock sensor... sadly he sold it

[forceFEDmatrix]

hey thanks guys for all your help.. im gonna try using that checklist this weekend when i have time to eliminate all possibilities. im still crossing my fingers hoping its just a coil pack issue, and nothing worse. the oil in the 3rd cylinder bothers me a bit, but i cant check it till the weekend. keep you guys posted..

[wantin150]

From my limited knowledge, the coil malfunction could cause the fouling issues you're experiencing. OR, if the cylinder is leaking, the fouled plug could be causing the misfire issue. I hope it is the former and not the latter!

Good luck and keep us posted.

[MangoMan]

Bad coil pack, had the same issue in my ES300 Lexus and it was a cracked coilpack. Change the coil packs around and I bet the misfires will change to different cylinders. Also only user Denso Iridum plugs everything else is shite.

[wantin150]

xrs06, on Jun 5 2007, 02:26 PM, said:

Check your coil pack. If they look anything like those 2, you need new ones:

http://s18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/xrs...ks_all4_349.jpg
http://s18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/xrs...sc01395_193.jpg

Good luck!

Kind of OT but how many miles on those coils? Looks like a LOT of heat damage.