Misfiring and check engine light on

CARHEADACHE2020

MEMBER
1992 TOYOTA COROLLA
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
195,000 MILES

My car recently started misfiring after going 20 miles or so. The check engine light would flicker while it was misfiring, and then the check engine light would remain on, until the ignition was turned off.

I would also lose about a 1/4 tank of fuel and there was a foul smell coming from the tailpipe.

Someone told me to put some fuel injector cleaner into the gas tank. Since I did that, I am no longer losing fuel, but the car is still misfiring, but it is not as severe.

The check engine light only comes on after I drive the car. It does not come on when I start it.

Any idea what the problem could be?

Thank you.

3 Replies

DANNY L

MECHANIC
5,648 POSTS

Hello, I'm Danny.

The first thing that needs to be done is to perform a code check to determine the check engine light codes that are stored in your vehicles computer that is causing this misfire issue. Here is a tutorial showing what is involved to check for these codes:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/toyota-trouble-code-definitions-and-code-gathering-method-1990-1995

Places like AutoZone auto parts stores can check codes for free. After doing this test get back to us with the code information and we can then properly diagnose. Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.

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Sunday, November 29th, 2020 AT 1:45 PM

CARHEADACHE2020

MEMBER
10 POSTS

Hello,

Due to Covid and family issues, I had to leave the car sit. Had a mechanic look at it today, and there were no codes to pull.

After I drive the car for a few miles, the check engine light flickers quickly and the car is misfiring and jerking. After a while, the car will no longer misfire and jerk, and the check engine light becomes a solid color.

The light will stay on until you turn the car off. When you turn the car on, there will be no check engine light and no codes. The mechanic told me that it could be a muffler problem or a catalytic converter problem. Is this a good assessment?

Thank you!

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Thursday, October 14th, 2021 AT 11:55 AM

SQM

MECHANIC
6,383 POSTS

A clogged catalytic converter can lead to a misfire also can cause poor fuel economy.

Here is a guide on how to test the catalytic converters:

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

Keep in mind that the misfire can also be caused by weak spark plugs. As they can misfire under certain load as you are driving.
Unless you have already done it, it will be good idea to check the plugs and make sure they don't have carbon build up and the gap is set correctly.
Those plugs should be gapped at 0.031 inch.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-change-spark-plugs

Also, engine can misfire due to worn components like distributor cap, rotor, wires etc.

Please let me know of any questions.
Thank you.

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