Misfire in cylinder 3, traction control light coming on and off

ISITONU2

MEMBER
2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA
3.9L
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
185,500 MILES

Having an issue with a misfire in cylinder 3. Replaced spark plugs, wires, all fuel injectors, and now the coil pack.

My traction control light also is coming on. When this comes on, the engine light flashes instead of remaining solid. The car also runs really bad, feels like it's chugging and missing worse. When the light is off is still misses but it's not nearly as bad.

I have no idea what else to do at this point.

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,755 POSTS

Hi,

It sounds like the traction control is actuating and reducing engine power. You indicated a misfire all the time. I have to be honest, at this point I don't think the two are related. I do, however, feel one makes the other worse. Also, I have to assume you had the computer scanned to know it's a cylinder 3 misfire.

When you had it scanned, were there any codes other than a P0303? Was the scanner used able to read codes other than just engine codes? I ask because I question if you have a wheel speed sensor going bad and causing traction control to kick in.

Let me know.

Joe

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Saturday, December 28th, 2019 AT 10:40 PM

ISITONU2

MEMBER
2 POSTS

First time it got scanned it was a misfire on number 2, after we replaced the fuel injector for 2, the code said misfire in 3.

I had them read the codes a few times at the auto store and I believe the traction control one said it was ABS related. Ill have to try and get them read again this week. Its a hassle because sometimes the traction light isn't on and sometimes it is.

I think I am going to make an appointment this week and see if someone can figure it out. Could a sensor be causing this much trouble because it is running rough?

Before we did all the work, it was pouring smoke out of the exhaust that smelled like gas. Now sometimes it smells like it's burning something when the traction control light is on but it's not pouring out a bunch of smoke.

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Sunday, December 29th, 2019 AT 7:47 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,755 POSTS

Hi,

Crazy question. How bad can you feel the misfire? Also, can you get your hands on a live data scanner? If I knew the short term fuel trims, it may help me figure this out. Also, the idea you smell something burning is a concern. Do me a favor. If you smell it again, look under the vehicle at the catalytic converter. I wonder if it was damaged when you had the bad injector which was causing all the smoke and now it's plugged. I have actually seen them glowing red hot when plugged. Take a look through these links:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/bad-catalytic-converter-symptoms

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

As far as the traction control, chances are you have a bad wheel speed sensor. The problem is the parts store doesn't have a good enough scanner to identify such codes and which wheel. Make sure the brake fluid isn't low, too. I have seen low fluid cause the traction control, ABS, brake light and so on turn on.

Let me know.

Joe

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Monday, December 30th, 2019 AT 10:41 PM

CLAY COVINGTON

MEMBER
1 POST

Did you ever figure this issue out ISITONU2? I’m having the same exact issue now with my 2015 Tahoe.

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Thursday, June 15th, 2023 AT 4:17 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,643 POSTS

This post is for a 2006 Chevrolet Impala. Please post your new question here, you must be logged in.

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/new

Cheers, Ken