Why does my car misfire?

ROSEYB

MEMBER
2000 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE
121,000 MILES

I was driving my car about a week ago, and I was at a stop sign and it died. It wouldn't start back up so I had it towed. Now when you try to start it, it makes a loud noise and black smoke comes out from under the hood.

Monday, November 7th, 2011 AT 8:55 PM

12 Replies

FIXITMR

MECHANIC
9,990 POSTS

So have you watched under hood when this happens to get an idea what is causing it?

Lets check out this guide to help us fix it

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

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Monday, November 7th, 2011 AT 9:12 PM

FIXITMR

MECHANIC
9,990 POSTS

Is the check engine light on when running? get codes read if it's drivable.

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

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Monday, November 7th, 2011 AT 9:13 PM

TDAVIS25

MEMBER
2 POSTS
1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE
130,000 MILES

I have a 1999 Olds Intrigue and it threw a code for a misfire in cylinder 3 I've changed all the plugs and left the plug boots because they looked fine I was wondering what else the problem could be

I have heard that the coils rarely go bad and I am definitely not wanting to spend the 230 dollars to replace them so any help will be appreciated thank you.

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Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020 AT 8:09 AM (Merged)

BILLYMAC

MECHANIC
2,204 POSTS

Hi which engine do you have?3300 3.4

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Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020 AT 8:09 AM (Merged)

TDAVIS25

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Its the 3.5 liter

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Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020 AT 8:09 AM (Merged)

FIXITMR

MECHANIC
9,990 POSTS

Try swapping coils and see if problem moves with it?

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Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020 AT 8:09 AM (Merged)

DON79

MEMBER
3 POSTS
1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE
FWD
AUTOMATIC

Check engine light blinking engine misfire?

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Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020 AT 8:09 AM (Merged)

FACTORYJACK

MECHANIC
4,159 POSTS

Flashing light indicates catalyst damaging misfire. Is it running rough? Lets get the codes

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

and

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

Please run down this guide and report back.

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Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020 AT 8:09 AM (Merged)

DON79

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Yes and now a security light is on

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Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020 AT 8:09 AM (Merged)

FACTORYJACK

MECHANIC
4,159 POSTS

Correct the misfire, and the light should stop blinking. Don't know on the security light, it should not be related.

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Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020 AT 8:09 AM (Merged)

DON79

MEMBER
3 POSTS

What causes the misfire or where could I start looking

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Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020 AT 8:09 AM (Merged)

FACTORYJACK

MECHANIC
4,159 POSTS

It is going to be a time saver if you can first determine what cylinder it is occurring on. Is this a 3.5, or 3.8 liter engine. Your misfire can be from a spark plug, fuel injector, plug wire, coil, or an internal engine fault(broken valve spring, follower, valve, etc.). By finding out which cylinder is the problem, you focus on one cylinder. It may set an individual cylinder misfire code that could narrow it down, or it could have a general misfire p0300 only.