Cylinder misfire?

Tiny
DARK LION
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2002 DODGE STRATUS
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
I parked my car about seven months due to a lack of resources for maintenance. At that time, the battery would not hold a charge. I worked through the entire electrical system related to that issue, beginning with an alternator test. It passed and I replaced it successfully. At this point I began tracing wires for shorts anywhere at all. I found none, but noticed my starter looked raggedy. I unmounted it and the plastic molding around the power node collapsed, so I successfully replaced the starter as well. From that moment, the car has run successfully, without any issues.

Yesterday, I took the car to a certified inspector to renew the tags and by the time I left, the car was misfiring randomly any time it was in gear. When I confronted the inspector, he informed me of a fouled relay, which I also replaced, yet the random misfiring continues. I need any help I can get in diagnosing the real issue, as money is tight and my electrical systems knowledge is limited.

Thanks in advance.
Lion
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 8:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
I am not sure what a fouled relay is. I heard of fouled spark plugs. First I need you to check for trouble codes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2IJGfImVvw

Please keep in mind, if the vehicle sat for a long time and the fuel is still in the vehicle from seven months ago, that in itself could be the issue. Old fuel can cause misfires. Check codes first and let me know what you find.
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 8:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DARK LION
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Honestly, I think that inspector was a quack. I assume he meant the relay was somehow shorted out. I can be certain the cause is not old fuel, as the car idles fine in park, even at higher rpm's. The car must first warm up before the random misfire symptoms will manifest. Getting the computer to register on the diagnostics either fails altogether as if there is nothing to connect to, or it shows P0300 - random/multiple cylinder misfire.
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 8:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Interesting... Do me a favor. Check fuel pump pressure to see if it is low.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Also, let me know if you have access to a live data scanner.
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 8:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DARK LION
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I feel like a doctor over-analyzing a patient. I said I went through my wiring looking for a short, but never even touched my ignition wires or checked the plugs themselves. Let it be know that the small gauge of wiring on said ignition wires (which actually, my engine is an 04 Galant engine) will increase resistance as the vehicle heats up, thus causing multiple cylinder misfires. Specifically the wiring between distributor and ignition coils. After replacing them, I drove her hard and couldn't get the symptoms to manifest again. She now runs like a scalded dog again. Thanks for trying to help guys, I really appreciate it. Hopefully this response will help you aid others in the future.
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 8:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BDUB51
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2002 DODGE STRATUS
  • 150,000 MILES
2002 dodge stratus is chugging and the code manufacturer admissions comes up what is it?
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 8:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Admissions? Are you sure that is what it says or emissions?
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 8:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BDUB51
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Yes emissions
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 8:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BDUB51
  • MEMBER
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It's a 2.4 L
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 8:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
That could be a few things. What I need is the code the mechanic got. It will deal with one of the components on the emissions system or a leak. Can you get that for me?
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 8:35 PM (Merged)

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