Hesitates and check engine light is on

Tiny
CHRISLESANE
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 283,000 MILES
I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY IMPALA 3.4L. I WAS DRIVING AND CAME TO A STOP LIGHT AND THE CAR BEGAN TO ACT A LIL HESITANT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, SO I TOOK IT TO THE GET CODE AND THE REP TOLD ME MISFIRE FROM CYLINDER #5. I REPLACE THE SPARK PLUGS AND I HAVE CHANGE THE WIRES AND PLUGS AND WHAT ELSE COULD THE PROBLEM BE?
Thursday, March 8th, 2012 AT 8:07 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,758 POSTS
The "check engine" light is an indicator for a system that monitors many electronic functions in the system, also called the "malfunction indicator lamp" (MIL). It can come on for any of hundreds of different causes from any of the systems that the computer monitors. Some are very important and can lead to further component or engine damage and some are emissions related not as serious but still a problem and need to be repaired.

Your first step is to have the computer scanned to retrieve the trouble codes that were set when the check engine light came on. Those codes will give you specific information about what the computer saw and will get you pointed in the right direction to find your problem. With a 1996 or newer and some 95 cars and you have an AutoZone or Advanced auto parts in your area, they will read them for free. Once you have these code numbers, we can be a lot more specific about what your problem may be.
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Thursday, March 8th, 2012 AT 8:08 PM
Tiny
CHRISLESANE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I went to the local advance auto and it stated that cylinder 5 misfired. I replaced the spark plugs with acdelco rapidfire and the wires with autolite wires. But the check engine light is still flashing and it still is idling rough
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Thursday, March 8th, 2012 AT 8:29 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,758 POSTS
You will have to look further for the cause of the misfire. Check the firing order, distributor cap, compression and fuel injector.
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Thursday, March 8th, 2012 AT 9:05 PM

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