Other

What do the last two digits of a misfire code mean?

What do the last two digits of a misfire code mean?

Misfire codes such as P0301, P0302, etc. is cylinder specific misfire codes, where the last two digits the code is refer to misfiring cylinder, it just let you know the cylinder that misfire and will not tell you why the cylinder is misfiring.

What is the misfire code for an OBD 2 engine?

A code P0302, for example, would tell you cylinder number two is misfiring. If more than one cylinder is misfiring, there will be additional codes for those cylinders as well. And if a misfire is random and jumps from cylinder to cylinder, you may find a P0300 random misfire code.

Do you scan your memory for engine misfires?

Not all misfires are directly translated into DTCs, especially intermittent ones. Yet, it’s a good idea to scan your computer memory because other potential stored codes may help you in diagnosing and fixing your engine misfires (see the box below on Misfire-Related DTCs).

How does the PCM work to diagnose a misfire?

This greatly helps the Powertrain Control Module (PCM–car computer) calculate crankshaft acceleration time. The PCM can detect when a cylinder decelerates (an indication of a misfire), store a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) in memory, and turn on the Check Engine Light.

What is the diagnostic code for a misfire?

Misfires that turn on the check engine light and log a cylinder-specific fault code are the easiest to diagnose. A flashing check engine light and a P0301 to P0312 diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is a surefire indication that one or more cylinders are misfiring. Occasional misfires may pass unnoticed, but a steady misfire is hard to miss.

What causes an engine scanner to give a misfire error?

The scanner will either give you an error specific to one cylinder misfiring, or a generic misfire error across all cylinders. Feel for a strong vibration from the engine bay. Engines are designed to be balanced as they run, so its balance will be thrown off if one cylinder stops firing.

Is the Check Engine light still flashing after a misfire?

The check engine light will flash as the engine misfires, but it may stop if the misfire stops as well. If your check engine light is not flashing but you see other signs of a misfire, the engine may still be misfiring. Scan the engine’s error codes.

Why do I keep getting misfire codes on my cop?

Insufficient valve lash, a broken piston ring or a leaking cylinder head gasket can cause a partial loss of compression. Depending on where the vacuum leak is on the manifold, it can generate random or specific cylinder misfire codes. The most common failure in COP ignitions is carbon tracking or “flash over” on the spark plug insulator.

Author Image
Ruth Doyle