Engine Random Misfire?

Does it seem like the exhaust system is blocked in any way? Does it seem like there isn't much pressure coming out of the exhaust? A clogged cat will cause a power loss, but I'm thinking something may be wrong with the injectors or crank sensor. Also, has the intake system (air filter, intake tube) been disturbed, damaged...

These guides will help us

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-misfires-or-runs-rough

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-catalytic-converter

Let me know.
Joe

[quote:7cf9170f47="Jacobandnickolas"]Hi:
Does it seem like the exhaust system is blocked in any way? Does it seem like there isn't much pressure coming out of the exhaust?

A clogged cat will cause a power loss, but I'm thinking something may be wrong with the injectors or crank sensor. Also, has the intake system (air filter, intake tube) been disturbed, damaged...

Let me know.
Joe[/quote:7cf9170f47]

No, the exhaust seems to be flowing freely. I thought it was fuel related because I had checked all the ignition system. Worked on it awhile and was getting ready to give up. Then I tried an old school test. Started it up and pulled the ignition wires off the plugs one a a time looking for spark/arcing. 2 of the 4 produced no arc at all when grounded. The left side of the coil pack was defective (despite the test Ok from Autozone). Picked up a coil pack from local bone yard and all is well.
Now I am going to replace the gas tank. It is leaking due to rust. I would be interested in any tips you may have on how to replace it. Thanks for you reply.

I'm glad that you got it taken care of. As far as the gas tank, get it as close to empty as you can. Make sure the battery is disconnected. And get ready to be mad dealing with rusted tank strap bolts.

I wish I could give you better advise, but that is the reality of it.

If you ever have any questions, let me know and I'll be glad to do my best to help.

Joe
Positive feedback is appreciated.

car starts and runs but not well. plugs are burning clean. 300 misfiring code

Hello,

First thing when was last Tune-Up? I would say 8 out of 10 times the plugs are the cause. Especially with 120k miles. With the newer (96 and up) the recommended first tune-up is at about 100k miles.

That is were I would start....

Then would check for Vacuum leaks...

Faulty EGR System....

Faulty or leaking Injectors....

Other possibilities are....

Crank Position Sensor....

Weak Coil....

Weak Fuel Pump or Fuel Pressure Regulator...



.

When you get to 45mph and 55mph the car will shake like a manual transmission when you need to gear down. Mine is an automatic. It runs good other than the missing or whatever you want to call it.We have replaced plugs, wires and coils.Nothing helps.Sometimes it don't do it but it's getting worse.The engine light nevere comes on, so we can't code it. Nobody seems to have an idea what it could be.Please help!

You sure the transmission is not slipping if not go to this link for more information:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-hesitates

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-misfires-or-runs-rough

Please run down these guides and report back.

i have a 98 cavilier running on #2  cyl. cam timing &compression r good, plugs & coils have been replaced. would low fuel press cause this?

Check and test the crankshaft position sensor

Maybe ignition control module see diagram

yep sounds like a coil pack to me to.

I keep cracking plugs on my third cylinder. Its right on the porceline. Small one inch crack very consistant same looking crack. Happens once every three weeks. New plugs and wires. Some one suggested the coil. But if you knew the set up on the 2.2 if the one was cracking wouldnt they both that are on that coil. Of course once the plug goes bad i get major missfire. Doesn't make any codes come up. Doesn't even register a missfire. Someone said while the motor is running spray water on the coil if you here poping or something something is wrong with your coil.

coil test. I would also use a thread chaser to make sure the threads in the head are good, a loose plug can cause cracking. Another possibility is that the hole is cracked. This guide can help you test the coil.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-an-ignition-system

Please run down this guide and report back.

i was selling my car some guy test drived it after that it didnt want to work i took it to get a diagnose they saud it was a misfire before that that i lost my key and broke the switch you think that could be the problem

The misfire is more then likely related to the spark plug wires or ignition coils. You didn't say where you broke the key or which switch you broke, but if your talking about the ignition switch being broken, I don't think that would have any effect on the running of the engine.

In just the last 2 weeks my car started to jerk softly while driving on a major highway. I thought it was the transmission but then I remembered that AAMCO checked it out and said that there is no problem with it. So, this past Monday I had a tune-up but I still have this problem. I also took my car to a diagnostic facility and they said that my rotors and pads have to be replaced and also my front rims are bent?

I am confused :cry: Some people don't have alot of money these days

I have this exact same problem. my cavalier has 129350 miles on it and when I keep it around 65 and higher it starts******** a little. I think its an engine or injector problem. I am going to change spark plugs, wires, and try to clean the cylinder heads if i really need to. I can let you know that helps.

i was stopped at a stop light and when i pushed the gas to go my car made a sound like a back fire and like i had a flat tire but it wasnt neither and now it makes a chug chug chug noise and doesnt go very fast but no engine light comes on. Any idea what could be wrong?

It sounds like you have a engine misfire. If the check engine light is on, take it to a nationally recognized parts store and have them scan the computer. Most will do it for free. That will tell you what cylinder is missing and guide you in your repair. NOTE: IF you want, let me know what the code is. Some parts stores will sell parts just to do it. Also, some parts stores will help you install some parts.

Let me know what you find or if you need help.
Joe

no engine light came on though so thats the only thing that confuses me, and the hot/cold temperature gage is not abnormal either. you still believe its an engine misfire? are their any other possibilities?

It sounds like one, but it's hard to tell from here. It could also be a partially plugged catalytic converter giving you that chugging noise. With today's technology, if you can upload it to youtube, I can listen to it for you.

Let me know.

1997 Chevy Cavalier 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic

When i got my car i had my boyfriend change the fuel filter and he did the spark plugs and wires and cleaned the censor. My ETS off light and enigine lights are on and my boyfriend says i have a misfire because when im at a stop my idle jumps a little bit and it sits really low at about 3 or 4 and when i press on the gas it hesitates, also when i sit thru a red light or in a drive thru for about 3-5 minutes when i go to press on the gas it stalls on me but then it starts right back up. My boyfriend says i need to replace the ignition coil, is this the problem?

It could be, but if your engine light is on then there is a code set in the computer. Go to autozone or a place like that and have them scan the computer. Get the code and reply back .. BTW- they will do this for free..

Engine Mechanical problem
1997 Chevy Cavalier 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

I took my car to aamco and they ran a diagnostic test and they said the engine had a random misfire , the car runs but it idles rough and now starts to smoke when starting up

Hello, just about anything can cause a random misfire, fuel--spark--vacuum leak. How long since a tune-up? Use a gage, check fuel pressure. Are the plugs and wires ok?

engine won't idle donw running at 100 rpm's,engine jerks when put in gear.initially thought it was the motor mounts,changed three of four mounts. when car first starts it runs slower,but all other times runs fast,and jerks when put in grear.engine check light is also on.Can i do a self check on the ECM,i heard you can retrieve the trouble codes,thanks,i also changed the A-frame bushings.

As far as trouble codes, with obd2, at the least, you need an obd2 code reader. Some of the national brand autostores used to check codes for free. A vacuum leak can cause the idle to go high.

My 1996 Chevy Cavalier is running VERY sluggish. I took it to Auto Zone and had it hooked up to the computer and it reads cylinder 3 misfire. So...I had the spark plugs and wires replaced...didn't help. I took it back up there, cleared the codes out, hooked it back up and its still reading cylinder 3 misfire....HELP! What could be the problem???

Check the compression and injector for no.2

Misfirings can be caused by worn or fouled spark plugs, a weak spark (weak coil, bad spark plug wire), loss of compression, vacuum leaks, anything that causes an unusually lean fuel mixture (lean misfire), an EGR valve that is stuck open, dirty fuel injectors, low fuel pressure, or even bad fuel.

My car just kicked real hard on me last night while driving, I pulled over and it was knocking hard like a misfire, the check engine light came on and the exhaust smells like a firecracker went off. I just changed all the spark plugs and that did nothing. Checked all the fluids and I am good. I have no idea what is wrong. Can you help me out?

Have the computer scanned for code/s-you have a problem within the engine manangement system that caused the CEL to turn on-This is your starting point of diagnosis,finding out what's going on.

[quote:03cf552f8f="rasmataz"]Have the computer scanned for code/s-you have a problem within the engine manangement system that caused the CEL to turn on-This is your starting point of diagnosis,finding out what's going on.[/quote:03cf552f8f]

I ran a scan and it says a dead cylinder, I have bought new sparks and had a diagnostics ran to see if the coils were the problem and they are fine also. I checked the fuel injector on top of that and its good too. I cannot figure this problem out for the life of me.

The problem started off like the engine was going to die. If you would pump the gas it would catch back up and go on. Replaced the fuel filter, filter was real dirity. After a few days it got worst, it acted like it was starving for gas or oxygen, then it got where it would barely run. Took out the catyl. converter and it seemed to have its orginal power back. Did good for about 35 miles then it went back to missing and then it started backfireing. Backfired so bad it busted the muffler. Ran the codes and we replace the fuel pump, camshaft sensor and crankshaft sensor. Ran better but engine light came back on then it acted like the engine was going to die, I kept my foot on the gas and it backfired, it did this one more time within about 3 miles, this time I took my foot off of the gas it didn't backfire but when it reached 20-30 miles an hour I gave it a little gas and it ran good for about 30 miles. The next day I took it to have the codes run and the car started acting like before barely running, missing, sputtering,and backfireing. The codes said camshaft sensor and crankshaft sensor. We just put new ones on could these be bad? Also some problem with the fuel had to cause the cayt. converter to go bad. I belived the fuel was to lean, thus melting the insides of the converter. Don't know what else to do please help, almost out of money and no car.

Plugs and wires ok? Timing ok? Compression ok? Check all three.

my 96 cavalier is doing the same thing,the muffler exsploded and it back fires and it dies on me. i replaced the coilpack and camshaft sensor and cleaned air intake. i been to two garages and they cant figure it out,and it still shows check engine. it is still coding cam sensor. it starts and runs alittle then backfires and trys to shut off or just quits while driving put starts right up.please let me know what you find out

found the problem, after replacing the ignition mod. and that did not fix it. we replace the computer and that done the job.

caronly fires on 2 cilinders. alredy changed one coil pack on cilinders that dont fire also replaced pluge wires.

What cylinders weren't firing before the coil?

What ones are not firing now?

take your time. ;-)

first and last on block. both wires wernt to same coil.could it be o2 sensor

Pretty sure the those are on separate coils. 1&4 and 2&3. Swap the coils and see if the misfires move to the other cylinders.