Hi, last week my check engine light came on, gave me a code 43. Since there are like 8 options for this code, I took it to a friend with a scanner. The codes came back as a multiple cylinder misfire on cylinders 1 and 6. His suggestion was to replace the plugs and the wires and that would hopefully fix the problem. Last night, I replaced the plugs and the wires. I had disconnected the battery to clear the code so when I started it up the first time, it was a little rough (not too bad though). After I drove it for about 5 minutes it was running smooth and felt great. There was no hesitation or anything like what I had been experiencing before. This morning I went out to warm it up before I came to work, and when I got in to leave, the light was on again. I've again checked the code, and it says code 43.
Wed PM I thought about this today on my drive home tonight. I rarely, if ever, notice (feel) the misfire. I can drive down the highway and the car runs great. Idling at a light the car is running smooth, not shaky like I would assume it would feel. If I start it, open the hood, and listen REALLY close, I never hear a cylinder miss, however, the codes that it throws are misfires on cylinder 1 and 6, two cylinders that are consecutive in the firing order. It just seems like this is something that I should notice if there is a problem.
*Edit* Thurs AM When I went out to start my car again this morning, it started fine. When I came out two minutes later and got in, the MIL light was flashing and the car was running really rough. I turned it off, went inside and looked in my book about the flashing. I wen't back out, started it again (it started without a problem) and the MIL no longer flashed. It was just on. I needed to get to work, so I started down the road. Shortly after I left it started running just fine. Is there something that could be faulty yet only cause a misfire when it's cold in the morning? What does it mean when the MIL flashes. I've heard of it, but never seen it before and I couldn't find anything in my book about it.
« Last Edit: November 17, 2005, 04:03:49 PM by Evan »
the cel was probably flashing because it was misfiring at the time. with those kind of miles on a car, it wouldn't be a bad idea to just replace the cap and rotor as mentioned.
I had the same problem, my car was telling me I was misfiring cyl2 but it wasnt.
If you havent replaced the plugs and wires yet, i'd do that...but I replaced my ECU and it went away.
Logged
James 1996 Dodge Avenger 2.4L Hybrid - RETIRED 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP Comp-G - SOLD 1999 Dodge Avenger 5spd all stock, Daily Driver 1995 Nissan 240sx Project Car
I had the same problem, my car was telling me I was misfiring cyl2 but it wasnt.
If you havent replaced the plugs and wires yet, i'd do that...but I replaced my ECU and it went away.
Ya, the plugs and wires was the first think I tried. The thing is, I know my car is in deed misfiring sometimes because it's running really crappy. Where did you find the ECU and how much was it?
www.car-part.com for an ecu. I am not sure if that is your problem. I'd like to know a compression test on the cyls
Logged
James 1996 Dodge Avenger 2.4L Hybrid - RETIRED 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP Comp-G - SOLD 1999 Dodge Avenger 5spd all stock, Daily Driver 1995 Nissan 240sx Project Car
with that high of a mileage it would be a good idea to do the usual maintenance. plugs, wires, cap, rotor, air filter, etc. cleaning the injectors is a plus. i ran a pint of marvel through. it helped a helluvalot. just sugestions.
If you're still having this problem go have your car run on an oscilloscope or o-scope. This will verify the condition of your ignition system. I had a similar problem that I chased for a month. Turned out to be the coil. Since this isn't a serviceable part you have to replace the entire distributor.
Author
Logged
