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Car misfires and the CEL blinks?

Tiny
ISPAID
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 2.2L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 159,000 MILES
When I start my car, it will idle nice and smooth as long as I want. I've left it idle for over an hour with no issues. The car will drive fine on flat roads, but the moment I go uphill and need to apply the accelerator, the car misfires and the CEL blinks. When I get back to a flat road, the CEL stops blinking, then stays off when I shut the car down. Also, the battery dies in about 2 hours after shutting the car down.
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Friday, January 23rd, 2015 AT 9:03 AM

30 Replies

Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,711 POSTS
Hello,

OK, first thing that needs to be done is take for test drive so that you recreate the CEL then go to this guide to check the codes

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

This guide can help as well

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

Post results back on here, make sure you write down the engine code or codes them give you.
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Friday, January 23rd, 2015 AT 10:16 AM
Tiny
ISPAID
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
The code that was pulled is P0300, or random misfire.

The battery is good, and the alternator is putting out 13.8 volts.
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Friday, January 23rd, 2015 AT 12:12 PM
Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,711 POSTS
OK, well there are multiple causes for that code. Here are a few.

Vacuum Leak
Spark Plug
Weak Coil
Clogged fuel injectors
Vacuum Leak

So, first off when was last tune up?

I would recommend checking for vacuum leaks at vacuum lines and intake manifold and air intake.

I don't find any leaks I would replace Spark Plugs. If that doesn't correct then more testing will be needed.
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Friday, January 23rd, 2015 AT 3:04 PM
Tiny
ISPAID
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
A friend of mine gave me a spare ignition switch that he had. I installed it because mine would get stuck in the off position from time to time, and it fixed all of the issues. I really did not expect this. After that I changed out plugs wires and air filter. Now it runs like new.
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Saturday, January 24th, 2015 AT 8:11 AM
Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,711 POSTS
Great! Glad it was a fairly quick fix.
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Saturday, January 24th, 2015 AT 8:48 AM
Tiny
STREETDA
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 62,202 MILES
Got a 2002 chevy cavalier. Check eng. Light came on. Read code said misfire #1 cylinder. Replace plugs light when out. 2 days later light comes back on reading same code?
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:08 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ERNEST CLARK
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,730 POSTS
Did you also change the wires? If not, start there. Then check that the coil for that cylinder is firing. If not, replace it.

Also, check that the fuel injector is firing for that cylinder. You do this by listening to the injector with an automotive stethoscope. You'll hear a distinct clicking sound while the engine is running.

If it's firing, do a flow test on that injector to make sure it isn't clogged.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:08 AM (Merged)
Tiny
STREETDA
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you. Could it be the coil pack going back?
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:08 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ERNEST CLARK
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,730 POSTS
Yes it can. But test it with a spark checker before just replacing it. Too many people replace parts without checking them first and spend money unnecessarily.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:08 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CRISSYPERKINS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 121,000 MILES
My car was hesitating, sputtering then cutting off. Classic symptoms of fuel filter, sparkplugs, ignition coil, ignition module and crankshaft sensor. Available parts were changed out, only coil hasn't been yet and still throwing a generic misfire code and running the same. What else can it be besides the coil? Won't have it for a couple days and we are stumped if it's not the coil.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:08 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Since you provided no engine size I will generalize

compression test, fuel pressure and spark need to be checked.

Is the check engine light on?

Roy
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:08 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CRISSYPERKINS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Sorry, been at auto parts store all day they know it by heart, it's 2.2 and the f vin. No lights on dash, was reset early this morning and nothing now. Prior to that the trac light would light up on and off, check engine as well. We haven't tried to drive it, popped into gear it sounds worse. No issues with exhaust, no clouds of smoke, no backfire. No smell electrical or fuel. Took 4 hours just to get the misfire code, before that no codes were popping even as it was sputtering.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:08 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Never, never clear the codes till the repair is done and confirmed. Clearing it does nothing but erase vital info for diagnostics.

Did you do any tests?

Roy
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:08 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CRISSYPERKINS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Only code we had prior to clearing was for an O2 sensor we replaced months ago and didn't clear, hoped it would reset and give us something we could work with. We haven't done any tests, I have limited tools and my nephew is working out of his mobile garage since he lives an hour away. Getting her to a garage isn't possible, she'd never make it with the way she is running.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:08 AM (Merged)
Tiny
02CAVWITHISSUES
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 85,500 MILES
2002 cavalier 2.2 ecotec. It has cylinder 4 msfire. Ihave changed spark plugs wires icm ignition coil and fuel injectors with no change. Did compression test and cylinder 1-3 210 psi and cylinder 4 190 psi. What could my problem be?
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:09 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Remove the valve cover and make sure the pushrods and rocker arm is moving.

Roy
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:09 AM (Merged)
Tiny
02CAVWITHISSUES
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I did remove valve cover and rocker arms are moving. Time chain is correct tensioner is good.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:09 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Re check the compression for that cylinder. Is there any noise from the valve train while running?

Does the plug spark?

Roy
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:09 AM (Merged)
Tiny
02CAVWITHISSUES
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Yes sounds like valve clatter when under load. I did check compression cylinders 1-3 had 210 psi and cylinder had 190 psi cylinder 4 is the one I am having issues with. Yes it has spark and fuel.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:09 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
The noise may the valve moving in the guide causing the miss.

Roy
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:09 AM (Merged)

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