Engine is misfiring?

Tiny
BAT KID
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 2.2L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,077 MILES
Hi ive been having this misfire on my cavalier for a long time. Its always had a very very slight rough idle for years but just until a month ago it finally got worse. Long story short I would drive it and when I would come to a stop it would occasionally start misfiring but wen I drive it drives perfectly normal. Only wen stopped or idling especially it would misfire intermittently. One night I got stranded cuz I was driving and the engine light started flashing I lost power so I pulled over, I checked the plugs and cylinder 4 plug was carbon fouled it was black and dry. I cleaned it and got it home and the code was a p0300 random misfire. The plug boots are still semi new so I changed the plugs, coil pack, and ignition control module that sits on the coil pack. After that and the car was fine. Just a few days ago the car started acting up but differently this time. Whenever the car idles it misfires a little but sometimes a lot and its at random. Also when I put it in reverse the car starts misfiring like crazy. I checked the plugs and there are normal. The new coil fixed the fouling problem but ONLY when idling and in reverse the car misfires. No more codes came back ever since I cleared it a month ago. I put fuel injector cleaner in it, measured resistance and listened to the injectors, sprayed the engine for shorts but the problem still exists. Im just stumped on how this car is acting especially with the car misfiring like hell in reverse
Thursday, July 10th, 2014 AT 6:10 AM

34 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
This sounds like you have a fuel injector that is bad but to be sure here are two guides to help us fix it.

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

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-fuel-injector

Please run down these guides and report back.
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Thursday, July 10th, 2014 AT 7:21 AM
Tiny
BAT KID
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Thanks for the guides they showed me the fuel injector was bad so I got a new one the car has never run better thank you so much I love this site.
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Thursday, July 10th, 2014 AT 8:22 AM
Tiny
PATRILEY916
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I had the same problem but the spark plug was bad DOH!
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Saturday, January 31st, 2015 AT 7:45 AM
Tiny
BOYDABBOTT
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  • 1 POST
  • 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 98,000 MILES
The engine is miss fireing on the two midle cylinders, I cheacked the coil-pack its good the crank sinsor I looked at and it was clean. What other things could be makeing it miss fire?
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:04 AM (Merged)
Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,711 POSTS
Hello,

OK, you checked to coil pack. Did you check for spark at the plugs? Also check the plugs. When was your last tune-up? If all that checks out or you change the plugs and wire and it still missfiring check for vacuum leaks, bad or restricked injectors.

.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:04 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Engine Misfiring can be caused by worn or fouled spark plugs, a weak spark (weak coil, bad spark plug wire), loss of compression, vacuum leaks, anything that causes an unusually lean fuel mixture (lean misfire), an EGR valve that is stuck open, dirty fuel injectors, low fuel pressure, or even bad fuel.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:04 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RBAXTER1
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
04 cavalier facing into wind during snow started skipping. What should I look for and how would I repair it
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:04 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,133 POSTS
Check the ignition wires to see if they are arcing. If there presently is no miss, in the dark, mist water on them to see if anything shorts as well as the coil. Replace wires if you find an arcing.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:04 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TAYNAB
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 141,841 MILES
I am sitting at a stop light the car starts missing and now my ck engine light came on, had it cked and the computer said that all 4 plugs were miss firing changed plugs and still doing it. Whatelse coule be the problem?
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:04 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
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The code doesn't tell you what replace, just that the computer thinks there is problem on those circuits. Could be spark--fuel--compression, just about anything.

Did you visually check for spark at the plugs, engine cranking? I realize some 4s may have the ignition module sitting right on top of the spark plugs. You can still test for spark, If you don't have a better way, Take the ignition module loose, turn it up side down, Use a spark tester in each boot, you'll have to ground metal part of tester/s to metal part of engine. Have helper crank it, while you watch for spark. Just a thought, after a bit of cranking, check the spark plugs, are they soaking wet with fuel?

Have you done a lot of cranking on this, You need to be sure the battery has a full charge or we can't do any testing.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:04 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
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Just an after thought, if it is only an idle issue, check idle air system. What were the actual codes #s
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:04 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SESTOVER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 110,000 MILES
Car wouldn't start in cold. Would turn over but not fire.
Battery went dead. Would not take a charge. Installed
new battery. After several tries, car started but idled
extremely rough and tried to stall. Check engine light
came on. I checked the codes and it read "Multiple/
Random Cylinder Misfire". Could the timing now be off
just by replacing the battery?
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:05 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,133 POSTS
No, replacing the battery didn't cause the problem, but that isn't saying it isn't a concern. Start by checking fuel pump pressure and make sure that all plug wires are in good condition and not arcing. If the vehicle hasn't had plugs and wires for a long time, it may be time to replace them. NOTE: To check fuel pump pressure, go to our home page under DIY. There are directions and a video. Make sure the fuel pressure regulator is working properly (see video).
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:05 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
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  • 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 130,000 MILES
Have a random misfire on 1 and 4 replaced plugs andcoilpack still misfiring. What should I check next
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:05 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Check to make sure the fuel pump pressure is within spec. Also, if the check engine light is on, check for trouble codes. Most parts stores will do it for free. Also, check to make sure the injectors are clean and getting power.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:05 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SESTOVER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 110,000 MILES
Fault code P0300(multiple/random cylinder misfire). Cold engine starts up immediately but idles very rough. White exhaust and a strong odor of raw gas from tailpipe. Replaced plugs, plug boots, coil pack, fuel pressure check, ignition module, air filter, cleaned
fuel system. No change in engine operation.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,133 POSTS
The white smoke leads me to believe you have a bad head gasket. We should check that first here is a guide to help

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TURBOJAY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Thanks for this post I had this problem and the head gasket was blown I fixed it myself cost me $265.00 all fixed!
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
NGHTREBEL34
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 73,250 MILES
We have changed coils n modules computer crank sensor cam sensorhad computer programed for the car if you have any ideas please feel free to email me car has not been able to be drove in a few weeks need help soon thanks
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RHALL77
  • MECHANIC
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What cylinders are missfiring or not getting spark
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 11:06 AM (Merged)

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