Stumped on engine misfire?

Tiny
GPCARAVAN
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 DODGE CARAVAN
I have a 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan with the 3.8L engine. In January, the car started to shudder and engine misfired. The ODB II scan read P0305-Cylinder no. 5-Misfire Detected. I replaced all six spark plugs and wires with Bosch Platinum Plugs and Bosch wire set. The car ran fine for two months. The engine then started to misfire again. The OBD II codes read P0352-Ignition Coil no. 2 Primary Circuit and P0300-Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected. I replaced the ignition coil with a coil from Pepboys and inspected the wiring to the coil. The car still misfires in cylinder 5 and the code P0352 is generated from the computer. I took it to the mechanic. He inspected the plug in cylinder 5 and said it was ok, but it had a little oil on it. He replaced the plug and the car still misfires. He said I should use a coil from the dealer. The dealer told me for the 1996 it did not matter. I tested cylinder 2 and 5 with new wires since they are on the same coil bank. I replaced the O2 sensors in November '06. All vacuum tubes are intact and the fuel injectors and their wiring are fine. The battery and alternator seem fine and I have had no issues with the system grounds. Should I use the dealer coil? Could my problem be the camshaft or crankshaft sensors? Could the problem be electrical? Do you have any suggestions on what I should do?
Tuesday, April 24th, 2007 AT 3:56 PM

50 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Could be bad gas,vacuum leak,bad coil,dirty injectors and EGR.

If the EGR valve fails to close when EGR is not required, or if it leaks because of carbon buildup on the valve stem or valve seat, exhaust will be sucked into the intake manifold all the time creating a lean fuel mixture. This will cause lean misfire and set a random misfire code

This guide can help us fix it

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

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Wednesday, April 25th, 2007 AT 8:06 AM
Tiny
STEELWORKER
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
There might be oil seepage around spark plug tubes, if you pull spark plug wire boots off spark plugs and look down in tube with a bright light, if there is oil down in bottom around spark plug base or on the wire end that you just pulled are oiled, you need to replace valve cover gaskets and tube rings, if you replace yourself, buy chilton book for proper sealant info
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Saturday, April 28th, 2007 AT 6:13 PM
Tiny
GPCARAVAN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
The EGR seems to check out. I put in a gasket sealing fluid to test if a gasket is leaking oil into the spark plug well. It is still misfiring. I have noticed the following the only error I am getting is the P0352 and the MIL is blinking. However, when the car runs down to empty on gas the MIL stops blinking and it runs that way for a few miles after filling up - still misfires. Then it is back to blinking. Do I need to use the dealer ignition coil instead of a generic from Pepboys. Might there be something wrong the fuel pump? How would I check?
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Monday, May 21st, 2007 AT 10:56 AM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Try checking the fuel pressure-low pressure equals to lean mix.
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Monday, May 21st, 2007 AT 3:57 PM
Tiny
SPEEDPROSHOP
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
  • 1996 DODGE CARAVAN
Engine Mechanical problem
1996 Dodge Caravan 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

i have a 3.8litre dodge caravan 1996 and on one piston
i have fire on spark plug put piston not working correct
i have remove the spark plug wire when running the engine does not change sound but all other does
i as a ruff idle, never check compression yet do not no what to do any more please help
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 9:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CH112063
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,320 POSTS
Try another wire and plug. Then do a compression test, if ok swap the injector with another. See if spraying carb. Cleaner around the intake gasket near that cylinder picks the idle and power up for that cylinder. The intake gasket could have a crack in it. Get the compression guage here, they have the same one I payed 250.00 for quite a bit cheaper, ok.
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 9:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SPEEDPROSHOP
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
I have try plug wire and spark plug, injector all good, there is fire on plug I have clean today injector and doing the same missing on number #2 piston idle bad starts good look like, when pulling wire #2 off that plug engine stay same, when I do to other the engine drop down more,
i no that #2 piston something wrong, I pull injector plug wire of I heard it stop running, the only thing left is check compression

trying to do my best in english because I am french sorry about that
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 9:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CH112063
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,320 POSTS
I could tell about your English. You do fine. Compression next, should be within 25psi of others, no more. Good luck.
You'll triumph. Such is life.
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 9:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SPEEDPROSHOP
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Thank you I will try it tomorrow let you no
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 9:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2 LINSEY
  • MECHANIC
  • 287 POSTS
Hi speed pro shop, Any results yet?
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 9:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MARKNALICIA2777
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 1996 DODGE CARAVAN
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
What would cause miss fire in cylinder 1 and 2 in a 1996 dodge carvan 3litre engine?
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 9:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SPEEDPROSHOP
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Always the same little on low compression, good the valve guide lose compression, I add a sctock car when I was racing and the head was done losing compression from the valve same spec as that
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 9:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Possibilities, distributor cap--rotor--spark plug-- sparkplug wire, if you talking about spark.

A fuel injector issue can cause problems as well as compression. Do you know if misfire is caused fuel or spark?
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 9:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CH112063
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,320 POSTS
Well the head is so easy to take off, are you going to do the top end? Sometimes when you renew the top, it blows the piston rings out. Might be best to do the rods, mains, and re-ring it. Good luck, let me know if ya need anything, ok? Need a hoist. We did all ours in car. Used a hone to deglaze the cylinders.
I have resealed a few of these. If your piston comes up, valve guides being bad should not cause the valves seating to be affected. With the piston up on the compression stroke there are 2 places you can lose compression up, down. The valves or valve may not be seating or ring problem. A wet cylinder compression test will tell you which. Squirt some oil in. The oil you squirt in seals the rings to bring compression up. Bad rings. It has little or no affect on valves. Try a wet compression test so you'll know where your going. I am no total expert, no such thing. I hope I helped you. Good luck. Let me know.
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 9:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MARKNALICIA2777
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I replaced plugs, wires, cap and rotor, it idiles kinds rough, but when when driving its good, when backing up with it it kinda bogs out and lazy, it brings up codes p300, p301 and p302 if that helps
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 9:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Clean the throttle-body and idle air system. Visually check for spark at cylinders 1 and 2. Nothing takes the place of testing for spark at the plugs.
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 9:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MARKNALICIA2777
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Ok I will tommrow and I want to thank u for all ur help I am very greatfull
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 9:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SWOLL2
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1996 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 153,000 MILES
I started getting a P0357 code "Coil Bank C" and a rough idle a couple of weeks ago. It would misfire at first start-up and clear up after idling for about 30 seconds. Then a P0301 "Misfire" code also appeared. After doing this about three times, it became a permanent problem. I don't have any spark on the coil on the bank for cylinders 2 & 5. I've replaced the coil pack, plug wires, and plugs. Also checked the wiring back to the ECM. Nothing has helped. I'm guessing it must be the ECM, the cam sensor or the crank sensor. Any idea which. Or how to check any further?
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 9:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JASONRAY
  • MECHANIC
  • 213 POSTS
Which V6 does it have? 3.0, 3.3, etc. That will make a difference on the diagnostics. Reply and we'll take it from there.
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-1
Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 9:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Let us know what you find.
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 9:53 AM (Merged)

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